Topaz Oral History Project research files: Published articles (1920s-1980s)

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5 It is true, on the other hand, that many Issei have finally decided to stay in the United States permanently, even in the face of having anti-Japanese sentiment falling upon us and unfavorable land and immigration laws choking us. But many of these Issei too, when they lay bare their innermost feelings, express a longing to return to Japan. And while taildng about the education of their Nisei children on the one hand, they continue to vaunt the glories of their homeland on the other, proclaiming that only the Japanese practice the high standards of behavior of bushido and yarnato-damashii*. These ideals exist nowhere else in the world, they say. Whether or not it is true that these high ideals were patented by Japan and belong solely to Japan, it is, of course, important to be proud of one's horne country. And there is nothing wrong with speaking with pride about something worthy of one's pride. However, when we go too far and become pompous, it becomes intolerable. Although I was not fortunate enough to be born the smartest of persons, I feel fortunate to have been born in a country of Japan which is called Toyoashihara-no­rnizuno- no-kuni (land of abundant reed plains and rice fields) . And it was my further fortune to have been born in one corner of Japan called Tosa, now called Kochi-ken, which was considered one of the four progressive provincial clans of Satsuma, Choshu, Tosa and Hizen (now called Kagoshima, Yamaguchi, Kochi and Saga prefectures respectively) referred to as Sat-Cho-To-Hi during the Meiji Restoration. Consequently, I consider myself as well qualified as any to speak about the country of my birth--with pride and conviction. And for this very reason, I consider myself quite qualified as well to teach the Nisei about how great our old country is. It goes without saying that there are rnanyexarnples of people who have become distinguished because of having constantly reminded themselves not to bring disgrace to their ancestral backgrounds. *Japanese warrior spirit