Yamaji, Masao (10/2/2018)

Yamaji, Masao (10/2/2018)

A nisei born in Los Angeles in 1935, Masao Yamaji was six years old when he, his parents, and three siblings were incarcerated at the Santa Anita racetrack and later sent by train to Rohwer, Arkansas. Too young to recall much from his pre-war life, Masao recalls living in horse stables and attending school on outdoor bleachers at Santa Anita and forging friendships at Rohwer that lasted throughout his life. His father departed Rohwer for Chicago in 1944, with the rest of the family following in 1945. In this interview, Masao shares memories of life on Chicago's South Side, where his father worked first at the Shotwell Candy Company before owning and operating the O.K. Grocery store. Of particular note are Masao's detailed descriptions of products sold in the family's grocery store, his experiences working in the family business, and his description of Japanese American young adult social life in the 1950s. He also discusses the changing racial dynamics in the neighborhood, prejudice he witnessed while serving in the military, and housing discrimination he and his wife experienced in Chicago in the 1960s. He closes the interview by expressing concerns about persistent racism and hate, and his hope that love and goodness will prevail.

2018-10-02

video

Takada, Anna

Yamaji, Masao

Yamazi

Sanji

Nisei

Rohwer

South Side

Oakenwald Grammar School

Shakespeare Grammar School

Chicago Buddhist Church

Boy Scouts

Hyde Park High School

Lancers

Social Clubs

Olivet Institute

O.K. Grocery

Housing Discrimination

9100