Martha Nishitani Segment 30

Parents' and older siblings' immigration to the U.S. (ddr-densho-1000-71-1) - 00:03:49
Establishment of family business, the Oriental Gardens (ddr-densho-1000-71-2) - 00:04:29
Father's business success (ddr-densho-1000-71-3) - 00:01:39
Fond memories of father (ddr-densho-1000-71-4) - 00:02:56
Memories of childhood neighborhood, siblings (ddr-densho-1000-71-5) - 00:02:46
Changing lifestyle after father's death (ddr-densho-1000-71-6) - 00:02:38
Siblings help to raise each other (ddr-densho-1000-71-7) - 00:00:58
Influence of Caucasian sister-in-law, "'You're just like everyone else, you're an American citizen'" (ddr-densho-1000-71-8) - 00:02:54
Few Japanese cultural influences in life as a child (ddr-densho-1000-71-9) - 00:01:25
Battling shyness in elementary school (ddr-densho-1000-71-10) - 00:01:49
Discovering modern dance in high school (ddr-densho-1000-71-11) - 00:03:54
Refused service on a public bus after the bombing of Pearl Harbor (ddr-densho-1000-71-12) - 00:03:08
Leaving school after the bombing of Pearl Harbor (ddr-densho-1000-71-13) - 00:01:19
Removal from Seattle; "Hundreds of little black heads ... they all looked alike" (ddr-densho-1000-71-14) - 00:02:35
First impression of Minidoka concentration camp: "No-man's land" (ddr-densho-1000-71-15) - 00:01:11
Working in camp: "too much time for the amount of work" (ddr-densho-1000-71-16) - 00:02:05
Trying to spark interest in Japanese dance in camp (ddr-densho-1000-71-17) - 00:01:27
Effects of the incarceration on family (ddr-densho-1000-71-18) - 00:03:23
Social life in Minidoka concentration camp: dancing and meeting boys (ddr-densho-1000-71-19) - 00:02:53
Leaving camp, working in Idaho (ddr-densho-1000-71-20) - 00:01:16
Reaction of Lake City residents after return from camp (ddr-densho-1000-71-21) - 00:01:00
Influence of first professional modern dance teacher, Eleanor King (ddr-densho-1000-71-22) - 00:03:54
A comparison of modern dance and ballet (ddr-densho-1000-71-23) - 00:04:27
Family support in pursuing modern dance (ddr-densho-1000-71-24) - 00:02:10
Mother's support of dance career (ddr-densho-1000-71-25) - 00:02:52
Special relationship with mother (ddr-densho-1000-71-26) - 00:02:40
Studying other dance forms (ddr-densho-1000-71-27) - 00:02:40
First discovery of dance: "I wanted to dance ever since I was six" (ddr-densho-1000-71-28) - 00:03:10
Inspiration behind first choreographed piece, "Credo in Conflict" (ddr-densho-1000-71-29) - 00:02:30
Busy days studying dance, teaching classes, and making sewing costumes (ddr-densho-1000-71-30) - 00:02:06
Beginning a career in dance (ddr-densho-1000-71-31) - 00:04:26
Working as a florist while studying dance (ddr-densho-1000-71-32) - 00:01:15
Teaching creative dance to children (ddr-densho-1000-71-33) - 00:04:38
Using images to teach dance concepts to children (ddr-densho-1000-71-34) - 00:02:34
Different experiences choreographing opera (ddr-densho-1000-71-35) - 00:03:44
Memorable experiences choreographing opera (ddr-densho-1000-71-36) - 00:04:03
Perspective on current modern dance, emotional involvement (ddr-densho-1000-71-37) - 00:04:24
Inspiration behind "A Shepherdess," maternal instinct (ddr-densho-1000-71-38) - 00:04:59
Dealing with reviews of work (ddr-densho-1000-71-39) - 00:02:02
Home as an inspiration for "Transit in Dormancy" and the multimedia film "Water Images" (ddr-densho-1000-71-40) - 00:05:57
Beautiful music as inspiration (ddr-densho-1000-71-41) - 00:03:17
"Line in Design," a piece in which "dance came first, music came second" (ddr-densho-1000-71-42) - 00:02:42
Description of a beautiful and inspiring modern dance peace (ddr-densho-1000-71-43) - 00:02:42
Enlightening others about modern dance (ddr-densho-1000-71-44) - 00:04:19
Still teaching modern dance (ddr-densho-1000-71-45) - 00:05:08
Reflections on relationship with mother (ddr-densho-1000-71-46) - 00:06:46
Importance of pursing what you love the most in life (ddr-densho-1000-71-47) - 00:03:16
Sacrifice as an artist (ddr-densho-1000-71-48) - 00:02:18
Description of photographs (ddr-densho-1000-71-49) - 00:08:33
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Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-71-30 (Legacy UID: denshovh-nmartha-01-0030)

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Busy days studying dance, teaching classes, and making sewing costumes

00:02:06 — Segment 30 of 49

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DATE

May 15, 1998

LOCATION

PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

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Courtesy of Densho

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Densho
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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-71

NARRATOR

Martha Nishitani

INTERVIEW TITLE

Martha Nishitani Interview

02:33:06 — 49 segments

DATE

May 15, 1998

LOCATION

Seattle, Washington

DESCRIPTION

Nisei female. Born February 27, 1920, in Seattle, Washington. Family owned and operated the Oriental Gardens, the first nursery in Lake City. Incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. An award-winning modern dancer who established the Martha Nishitani Modern Dance School and Martha Nishitani Modern Dance Company, she also choreographs for modern dance, opera, and theater productions, as well as specializes in teaching creative dance to children.

PRODUCTION

Sara Yamasaki, interviewer; Matt Emery, videographer

TOPICS

FACILITY

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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API