Aiko Tengan Tokunaga Interview Segment 1

Mother's family background: born in Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-293-1) - 00:02:45
Mother's adoption, move to Okinawa (ddr-densho-1000-293-2) - 00:08:54
Description of mother's adopted family in Okinawa (ddr-densho-1000-293-3) - 00:09:08
Mother's move to Tokyo, marriage (ddr-densho-1000-293-4) - 00:06:38
Born in Okinawa (ddr-densho-1000-293-5) - 00:03:29
Father's death while serving in the medical corps in Okinawa (ddr-densho-1000-293-6) - 00:08:39
Family's memories of hiding in caves with a newborn baby (ddr-densho-1000-293-7) - 00:07:31
Family's struggles to survive in Okinawa during the war (ddr-densho-1000-293-8) - 00:04:36
Attending school in Okinawa during the U.S. occupation (ddr-densho-1000-293-9) - 00:06:41
Coping with devastation in Okinawa (ddr-densho-1000-293-10) - 00:07:00
Mother's decision to return to Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-293-11) - 00:07:06
Memories of childhood during the U.S. occupation and rebuilding of Okinawa (ddr-densho-1000-293-12) - 00:08:59
Introduction to traditional dance and music (ddr-densho-1000-293-13) - 00:11:24
Leaving Okinawa for Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-293-14) - 00:07:34
Reuniting with mother in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-1000-293-15) - 00:03:51
Attending private school (ddr-densho-1000-293-16) - 00:07:30
Meeting Japanese Americans in school and learning about the World War II incarceration (ddr-densho-1000-293-17) - 00:05:21
Involvement with the Okinawa Kenjinkai (ddr-densho-1000-293-18) - 00:10:41
Going back to Okinawa to study dance (ddr-densho-1000-293-19) - 00:04:15
Getting married (ddr-densho-1000-293-20) - 00:02:47
Teaching traditional dance (ddr-densho-1000-293-21) - 00:01:35
Thoughts on Japanese wartime politics (ddr-densho-1000-293-22) - 00:05:30
Reflections: The importance of the Okinawan community in the United States (ddr-densho-1000-293-23) - 00:06:14
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Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-293-1 (Legacy UID: denshovh-taiko-01-0001)

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Mother's family background: born in Hawaii

00:02:45 — Segment 1 of 23

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DATE

July 29, 2010

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PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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Densho
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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-293

NARRATOR

Aiko Tengan Tokunaga

INTERVIEW TITLE

Aiko Tengan Tokunaga Interview

02:28:08 — 23 segments

DATE

July 29, 2010

LOCATION

Los Angeles, California

DESCRIPTION

Nisei female. Born September 8, 1943, in Naha, Okinawa, to a Nisei mother born in Hawaii and father from mainland Japan. Father was killed during World War II while serving in Okinawa in Japan's medical corps. Aiko barely survived infancy due to the devastation in Okinawa during the war. Moved to Los Angeles at the age of twelve to join mother who had moved previously. Grew up in Los Angeles, eventually becoming a prominent instructor of traditional Okinawan dance.

PRODUCTION

Martha Nakagawa, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

TOPICS

FACILITY

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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API