Director|Curator Sherri Kajiwara and research archivist Linda Reid from the Nikkei National Museum (NNM) were travelled down to North Carolina on an archival mission after they were connected with Kay Kagetsu, daughter-in-law of the lumber baron Eikichi Kagets. There they assessed the family’s extensive collection of research materials and artifacts, and returned to Burnaby with over 200 lbs of archival material.
This remarkable acquisition will help future researchers understand the story of Eikichi Kagetsu and the Deep Bay Logging Co. more closely. As Kagetsu was one of the wealthiest Japanese Canadians before the dispossession—off of whom many profited when his property was forcibly sold—this collection is of particular interest to LoI.
We were thrilled that the media picked up the story in early June. Here is a list of the coverage with links.
- [web] Kirstie Hudson, Heirlooms stolen from Japanese-Canadian family in 1943 back in BC cbc.ca, July 5, 2016
- [radio] Jordan Stanger-Ross, Joe Perkins on CFAX 1070, (Guest host Mark Rennie), CFAX 1070 Victoria, June 30, 2016 Starts at the 17:37 mark.
- [radio] Jordan Stanger-Ross and Sherri Kajiwara, CBC On the Coast, with Stephen Quinn, CBC Radio One, June 29, 2016 Starts at the 2:06 mark.
- [radio] Jordan Stanger-Ross and Sherri Kajiwara, CBC All Points West, Property stolen from Japanese-Canadian family in 1943 back in BC with Robyn Burns, CBC Radio One, June 29, 2016
- [web] Tara Sharpe, “Acquisition of Japanese-Canadian heirlooms now part of $5.5M Landscapes of Injustice project“, The Ring, June 29, 2016
- [print] “BC researchers acquire historical collection of dispossessed Japanese Canadian lumber baron“, Metro News, June 29, 2016
- [print] Richard Watts, “Japanese-Canadians’ stolen history brought to light“, Times Colonist, June 29, 2016
- [print] Megan Dolski, “Research project to share stories of dispossessed Japanese Canadians“, Globe and Mail, June 29, 2016
The coverage told the story of Eikichi Kagestu’s pre-war accomplishments, of the forced sale of his property beginning in 1942, and of the artifacts’ post-war journey and return to British Columbia. It highlighted the family’s role in acting as historians as they preserved their own proud history against the discrimination and prejudice in Canada. Project director Jordan Stanger-Ross and Sherri Kajiwara conveyed the richness that comes from the partnership between LoI and the NNM which will allow researchers to work through the collection immediately.