Reflections on Session #10 (12/3)

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed hearing Professor Yamashita's stories about his family history in Hawaii. It was also my first lesson on the Issei, Nisei, and Sensei. It was interesting to hear about the experiences of these groups of people during Pearl Harbor.
In addition, this lecture introduced to me that China and Japan had been fighting prior to Pearl Harbor. As I stated on another message board, this was the first time I studied the Japanese reasons behind the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Professor's Yamashita's lecture provided me with a better insight into Pearl Harbor.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Professor Yamashita for enlightening us on various aspects of Japanese history. I did not know that a key factor to the Japanese immigration to Hawaii was due to the farmers who went bankrupt when Matsukata Masayoshi took over as finance minister and increased the land tax. I also did not know about "The Orange Plan" stating that the US would eventually go to war with Japan due to Japan outpacing the USA in the number of warships. The professor's story about his uncle and the incident with the Inu stands out in my mind. It must have been extremely difficult for the Japanese Americans during and after WWII.

[Anonymous]

I read about peral harbor and sen movies about it. I knew that the Japenese had invaded china and the united states was in favor of china. Americans flyers fought in chian against the Japenese. I dint know to much about the pressures that the united states put on japan giving them a reason to attack pearl harbor. It is still complicated part of history and that the United States did not behave as well as it should have toward american citizen of japenese decent.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Slieu, hearing about the suffering of families and children was definitely eye opening. It's important for our students to learn how other kids manage to overcome such difficulties even against such daunting odds. I know that many other teachers will agree with the idea that many of our students suffer from a condition of self entitlement and a lack of gratitude. It's good for them to hear of how other young people have had to endure hardships. This awareness helps to give them a sense of perspective and appreciation, if at least for a short while.

[Anonymous]

How frustrating the process of the cotton industry must have been. I bet the Japanese did not believe they would even be able to afford the spinning machines and spindles. The 8 years it took to just get off the ground before any production must have been hard. Then going from 6,000 spindles in 1877 to almost 300,000 in 1890 is fascinating!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I too found the discussion of Pearl Harbor to be enlightening. I know I read about this in history classes but to hear first/second hand accounts was amazing! I learned a lot hearing about the Japanese people that were living in Hawaii. I also enjoyed hearing about professor's parents and their story of how they came together! Thanks for the ramen tips!

[Anonymous]

This lecture reminded of the book No-No Boy by John Okada. The story takes place after WWII, and it is about a young Japanese-American man
who refused to fight on the side of the United States during the war, and spent two years in an internment camp. I read this book as a high school senior and loved it!

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Dear Colleagues,

Please write your comments and reflections below for Monday, 12/3.

Best,
Yingjia

[Author]

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