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RB: So I understand that the community has shrunk considerably at this point, but can you briefly summarize kind of the current state of the community? Like what are the entities, like the Seabrook Educational Cultural Center, the temple?

MA: You mean the Japanese American community?

RB: Yeah, Japanese American community groups.

MA: Yes. As I mentioned before, in 1945, when three hundred plus families came here, twenty-five hundred Japanese Americans, that population now is probably two dozen to twenty-four. We can identify these people by name. And it is sad to see that from my perspective, because I do have fond memories of all these various institution and activities. The one being the Seabrook Buddhist Temple, I remember they had the inauguration of that building in 1968, there probably was maybe 150 or so Japanese Americans there, and I think now they might have services that have a couple of dozen. And probably the attendees or three quarters Caucasian or other people that are learning about Buddhism, and so it's a different mix if you will. The Seabrook JACL, which was very vibrant, I can remember, we used to have an annual JACL picnic that had hundreds of people. We had a couple of hundred, three hundred people, and we would go to Parvin State Park, we would reserve this area, we would have activities for the children. I remember relishing in the races and all the door prizes that were given out, and it was just a full day of fun and just being able to just enjoy ourselves.

And then in 1994, the Seabrook Educational Cultural Center was founded. And the premise behind that, Mr. John Furume and Alan Nakamura wanted to establish a center where we can recognize the significance of this community and what it offered to Japanese Americans as they came to this area. So they wanted to insure that no one forgets that. So this museum was created in 1994, actually, next year will be thirty years, so hopefully there will be some sort of recognition and anniversary. They've asked me to plan that, but I've said, "We'll see." I'll see how full my schedule is. But I think it needs to be recognized. There is, I call it a three-legged stool. The Seabrook Buddhist Temple, the JACL, and the Seabrook Educational Cultural Center. Those three entities were kind of the three organizations that have given context to the Japanese American community here, and that allows the legacy to be continued. I was always hoping that the younger generations would pick up, that's not necessarily happening. I feel sad that's not happening. I don't quite understand why it's not happening. If you look at the Seabrook chapter, we're very long in the tooth, we're very senior. It's not just my mission, but we can't draw the attention and support of the younger generations, and I think that's clearly needed. Because if not, then it may become irrelevant, and unfortunately then it might not exist any longer, which has always been, I guess, a concern that I've had coming back to this area.

RB: And that the temple, too, does the cultural programs, right? The minyo dancers, odaiko.

MA: Yes. The two groups that you mentioned, the taiko group and the minyo dancers, they've continued this, I guess, legacy and the culture for the community. And they have challenges in trying to recruit more members as well to ensure that the groups still are existing.

<End Segment 11> - Copyright © 2023 JACL Philadelphia. All Rights Reserved.