Kimiko was born in a village near Vancouver to a parents who were fishers, then farmers, selling their chickens, fruit and vegetables to hotels. They moved to Salt Spring Island when she was five-years-old. Kimiko grew up and married Katsuyori and had a total of six children. Kimiko and Katsuyori worked on the family farm until the Second World War when things changed.
Under new rules that applied only to Japanese Canadians, all people of Japanese heritage were taken by ship to Vancouver. Kimiko and her family were taken to Hastings Park where they were forced to live in barns that were meant for the animals there.
During this difficult time, Kimiko remembered the Japanese word, "ganbaru" which means "to push on through hard times and never give up." Kimiko remembered this as her family was sent first to an internment camp in Greenwood, British Columbia and then to a sugar beet farm in Magrath, Alberta.
Life at Magrath was hard as their shack had no electricity, no running water and it was very cold. They were eventually sent to another camp in British Columbia.
When the war ended, Kimiko and her family were told they could go to Japan or live east of the Rocky Mountains. However, she and her family were determined to return to Salt Spring Island. To accomplish this goal, they saved money by opening a restaurant in Cardston, Alberta. Eventually, they were allowed to return to Salt Spring Island.
However, when they returned to Salt Spring Island, they discovered that their land had been sold and that the Japanese cemetery was filled with garbage. They were not treated well either by the residents. In spite of this, Kimiko and her family rebuilt their life, buying new land and returning to farming. Kimiko's children grew up and remembering their own hard times they helped others by donating some of their land for homes for people who were struggling.
Discussion
The focus on this biography of Kimiko Murakami is her determination to remain strong during hard times and not give despite all the obstacles racism placed in her life.
When her family was forcibly removed from their farm and sent to various internment camps, she kept her hope alive that some day she would be able to return. After enduring terrible conditions during the war, Kimiko and her family rebuilt their lives, literally from the ground up, repurchasing land that was stolen from them. What is even more remarkable is the forgiveness and charity they gave in return for the racism and hatred they experienced! This is evident with the gift of land they gave when others were struggling later on.
Kimiko was born to Kumanosuke and Riyo Okano in 1904 in Stevenson, B.C. The Okano family moved to Salt Spring Island in 1909 but visited Japan in 1911 or 1912. According to the Salt Spring Island Archives, Kumanosuke owned considerable land and was determined to become an integral part of the local community. He encouraged the Japanese to donate to churches, give food to those in need and help fight forest fires on the island.
Kimiko and her sister spent some years in Japan under the care of their grandmother. Being left in Japan upset Kimiko for the rest of her life. Kimiko returned to Canada in 1919. When she visited Japan in 1925, she married Katsuyori Murakami and they returned to Canada. In 1932 they purchased land on Sharp Road on Salt Spring Island. They worked hard to clear the land and develop a prosperous farm where they grew tomatoes in greenhouses. Their berries and other vegetables and fruits were sold in Vancouver and Victoria. The quality was so high that their berries were served to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth when they visited Victoria in 1939.
After enduring internment in several prison camps for Canadians of Japanese heritage during World War II, Kimiko and her husband eventually saved enough money to return to Salt Spring Island in 1954. Kimiko was not keen to return. Unfortunately, the racial prejudice that Kimiko and her family experienced during the war continued for many years after, as they sought to re-establish their farm on the island.
The focus of Healey's biography is on Kimiko's perseverance, her determination to continue moving forward despite hardship and ongoing prejudice, even in the post-war years. It was her spirit of ganbaru that helped her through the most difficult times. In this regard, Kimiko is a role model for young readers showing them they can succeed even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Kimiko's story is illustrated with the colourful, digitally rendered artwork of Kimiko Fraser. There is a Historical Timeline of events in Kimiko's life. The inclusion of photographs of Kimiko and her family would have been a wonderful addition to this picture book. Healey's book offers younger readers the opportunity to explore the Japanese internment and the effects of racist policy. It's important to celebrate Canadians like Kimiko, who despite experiencing profound intolerance and racism, worked to make Canada a better country.
Book Details:
Kimiko Murakam: A Japanese-Canadian Pioneer by Haley Healey
Toronto: Heritage House Publishing Co. 2023
Kimiko Murakam: A Japanese-Canadian Pioneer by Haley Healey
Toronto: Heritage House Publishing Co. 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment