In 1942, fences were erected for internment camps and anyone who was at least one-eighth Japanese had to report for detention. There were 120,000 men, women and children of Japanese ancestry—many of whom were American citizens—who were forced into 10 remote and desolate relocation camps.
At the Topaz relocation center near Delta, Utah, Dave Tatsuno, of San Jose, Calif., managed to sneak in his Bell and Howell 8 millimeter camera and used color film to make home movies of his family. Little did he know that his favorite pastime would not just be a remedy for his family's suppression, but his films would become a national treasure. The home movies made by Tatsuno now reside in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Tatsuno's son Rod, a Ketchum resident, will give a free lecture on his family's interment at Topaz and his father's unwillingness to give up his beliefs on living and experiencing life in the United States. Rod's presentation, which coincides with The Community Library's exhibition "Between Fences," will be at the Ketchum library on Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m.
"Some people lived between fences, but not by their choice," Rod said. "Some internment camps did not have as many fences, such as in Arizona. We were in Delta, Utah, which was very far away from anything and there were no interstates. We had fences, guard towers and guards with machine guns."
While in confinement at Topaz, the Tatsuno family thought that America had turned its back on Japanese-American citizens.
"There is so much history that is swept under the carpet," Rod said. "Many people still don't know about the internment camps."
Dave died in 2006 at the age of 92, but a documentary film about his life, "Dave Tatsuno, Movies and Memories," was produced by KTEH, which is now San Francisco-based KQED-TV. The film reflects Dave's life and when the family was released from Topaz.
Dave started a new life in the Santa Clara Valley and opened the store Niche Bei Bussan, which means Japanese-American mercantile. He shifted the family business from traditional dry goods to Asian art and clothing. In addition, Dave was a lifelong supporter of the YMCA and was an avid swimmer responsible for the local swimming program in San Jose. His efforts included founding a SCUBA program and traveling whenever possible on behalf of the YMCA.
For details about the event, call 726-3493.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Rod Tatsuno, right, poses with his father, Dave Tatsuno, circa May 1975. Photo by
