As you may know, the Japanese people have had a long and very painful history. Today we’re focusing on their history here in Seattle. As recently as the 1930’s, Japanese were reported to be the largest non-white group residing in King County. A few years later in 1942, the tragic attack on Pearl Harbor happened. As a result of this, the anti-Japanese movement in Seattle (and the US) skyrocketed and led President Roosevelt to sign Executive Order 9066. This action was estimated to have forced 120,000 Japanese to relocate to internment & detention camps. Two-thirds of them being US citizens, some of them first and even second generation. Many of the Japanese residents were only given 6 days to move/secure their property, or liquidate it. The nearest detention center to Seattle was in Puyallup, where an estimated 7,000 Japanese were forced to go. Some were forced to go as far as California, Idaho & Arizona. Japanese students, men, women, children & families lost their homes, their businesses and any property or belongings that they had. After a few long years, the war ended and Japanese were allowed to return home. Anti-Japanese sentiment was still high, and many families moved back to find they were not able to return to their homes, businesses, or regain any belongings that they had arranged to leave with others temporarily. It wasn’t until 1988 that the US acknowledged the violation of Japanese American rights under President Ronald Reagan. The government issued a formal apology and survivors were paid restitution of a measly $20,000. To this day, survivors & all of those affected have hoped that “Never Again” will history repeat itself.
At Two Peas In A Pod Seattle, we’d like to honor the history and learn from the stories of the Japanese in the past. We ask you to consider this: to honor, and recognize the space that you occupy for all cultures, and folks that have been disenfranchised, and that came before you. Oh, and yes, we’d challenge you to do this OUTSIDE of just the month that the government designates for people of color (eye rolls). This should hit close to home, especially seeing what atrocities are going on in the world today.
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On a happier note, and what we came to show you this week is our time spent at Bon Odori. It is a traditional Japanese summer festival. This festival is for honoring the ancestors who have passed on, to remember & to appreciate all that they have done for those of us that are still here. It is also a celebration of their ongoing presence in our daily lives. The festival is held at the Seattle Betsuin Buddish Temple on the corner in the International District on Jackson and Rainier. You can find your local festival and community with a simple Google search. There may be more cultural events than you’d expect! The event consists of martial arts, crafts, music & dancing, delicious food, and a beer garden. Each year a ton of people come to celebrate with friends, families and even dogs. Dressed in beautiful happi coats, kimonos & yukatas, this festival allows people to connect with their culture and their people in a space that was once stripped from them.
We hope that this post will encourage you to join in the festivities next year, or even to learn a little about Seattle’s history, or about Japanese culture. We wanted to connect with our community, our city, our friends & to celebrate with food, music and drinks.
