Archives West Finding Aid

Scope and Content: Tape-recorded interviews conducted by R.C. Berner and Mrs. Sally Kazama; the first was on May 10, 1968 and the second on May 16, 1968.

Tape #217B: This starts off with Osawa discussing his father's immigration and the Japanese-owned restaurant business from about 1880-1895. He then discusses his family including their educations and the schools they attended. Some information about his own early life was included. Side 2 deals mainly with Osawa's father and his business transactions with some things about anti-Japanese labor unions.

Tape #217C: Osawa discusses anti-Japanese sentiments in the early 1900's as well as Japanese farming and business patterns. More is said about the labor unions.

Scope and Content: Tape-recorded interview conducted by Dolores Goto, October, 28, 1970.

Mr. Osawa was born in 1891. His father was an innkeeper in Japan before coming to America. In 1888 his mother had become pregnant and returned to Tokyo. When she arrived in San Fancisco to join her husband in 1889 he had already left for Seattle so she took a boat north. The family settled between 3rd and 4th and Washington and Main Streets in Seattle. In 1895 his father opened up a restaurant at 116 Occidental. Mr. Osawa recalls downtown Seattle at that time. His first sister died at age 2 and his second sister died while a sophomore at the University of Washington. His third sister, Yuki, graduated from the University of Washington, completed graduate work at the University of Michigan and taught English literature at college until anti-Japanese sentiments forced her out. While later teaching in Japan she was incarcerated by the Japanese during World War II. His brother, Yoshimi, is in the import business in Tokyo. Mr. Osawa ended up in the restaurant business in Seattle. He talks at length about Japanese baseball leagues in Seattle. He also discusses prejudice against Japanese in Seattle.