Nakajiro Miki, Jinjuro Sumida, and Gosaku Yokota performing on a stage

Details

Collection40 Families CollectionDescriptionImage shows three men wearing traditional Japanese costumes and performing on a stage. The performer at center is holding a fan partially covering his face and looking to the performer at his right. The two other performers are kneeling on one knee and holding musical instruments. Identified from left to right: Gosaku Yokota, Jinjuro Sumida and Nakajiro Miki.NotesLibrary has digital image only, courtesy of Michiko Tanaka.Gosaku Yokota was born in 1889 in Yawata, Gunma Prefecture. Gosaku married Ume Yoshida who was born in 1898 in Yoshii Town, Tano District, Gunma Prefecture. Gosaku immigrated to America in ca 1919. He returned to Japan in 1920 to marry Ume and brought her back to America. Gosaku and Ume had five children, Eiko, Shuichi, Mieko, Masako, and Masao. In 1940 Gosaku and his family were farming Ranch #2 which is near the San Pedro and Palos Verdes border. They were sent to Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming. After the war, Gosaku and Ume returned to Southern California and lived in Sun Valley. Both Gosaku and Ume became naturalized citizens in 1954. Gosaku died in 1984 and Ume passed away in 1999 at the age of 100.Jinjuro Sumino was born on November 4, 1889 in Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. He immigrated to Honolulu in November 1906, apparently as part of a large group of future plantation laborers. Jinjuro traveled to California after he fulfilled his work contract in Hawaii. Jinjuro married Tsune Sumida, who was born June 3, 1892 in Higashimuro, Wakayama, in San Francisco, May 1915. Jinjuro took Tsune’s family name probably for the purpose of preserving the Sumida name. Jinjuro and Tsune had four children, Kazuharu, Fujiko, Minoru, and Tadasu. By the time of the 1930 Federal Census the family was reported farming in Palos Verdes on Ranch 25 approximately where Los Verdes Golf Course is today. In November 1937 Tsune passed away. Shortly afterward Jinjuro, Kazuharu and Tadasu moved to Boyle Heights. In the 1940 Federal Census Jinjuro, age 50, is listed as a farm laborer; Kazuharu is a salesman in a retail fruit market; and Tadasu is attending Roosevelt High School. Fujiko had taken a position as a live-in housekeeper in the Wilshire district of Los Angeles City. In August 1941 Minoru enlisted and later served in the 442nd Regiment and emerged as a decorated staff sergeant with a Purple Heart award in addition to several others. After WWII, Jinjuro lived in Boyle Heights with Minoru and his wife, Chiyoko. Jinjuro passed away in 1957.Resource Typestill imageHeld ByPalos Verdes Library District. Peninsula Center Library. Local History CenterBar Code00044081Restrictions on AccessElectronically digitized by the Palos Verdes Library District as part of the 40 Families Project. Copyright status must be investigated before publishing or commercial use. To obtain permission and images for publication purposes please contact the Palos Verdes Library District.

Topic

SubjectArts and literature--Performing arts--DanceMiki, Nakajiro (1879-1939)Sumida, Jinjuro (1889-1957)Yokota, Gosaku (1889-1984)

PersonNakajiro Miki

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Nakajiro Miki, Jinjuro Sumida, and Gosaku Yokota performing on a stage

Palos Verdes
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Nakajiro Miki, Jinjuro Sumida, and Gosaku Yokota performing on a stage

Palos Verdes
Community Archives

Palos Verdes Community Archives

Menu

Nakajiro Miki, Jinjuro Sumida, and Gosaku Yokota performing on a stage

Palos Verdes Community Archives

Palos Verdes
Community Archives

Palos Verdes
Community Archives