Item AAAB2289 - Isamu Matsuzaki interview

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Title proper

Isamu Matsuzaki interview

General material designation

  • sound recording

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  • Source of title proper: Supplied title based on item contents.

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Item

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AAAB2289

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Date(s)

  • 1976-03-18 [date recorded] (Creation)

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Custodial history

The Richmond Arts Centre oral history collection comprises two sets of tapes that were loaned to the Provincial Archives of British Columbia for copying in 1973 and 1976 respectively. The first set of tapes, recorded in 1972-1973, consists of 16 interviews; the second set, recorded in 1976, consists of 57 interviews. The originals are held by the City of Richmond Archives.

Scope and content

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Isamu Matsuzaki RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1976-03-18 SUMMARY: Isamu Matsuzaki was born in 1902 in Courtenay, Vancouver Island. His father was a coal miner in the Cumberland Mine. He has no recollection of Cumberland. His father fished until 1927. They lived at Steveston where the B.C. Packers, Imperial Plant is now (1976). They had a big company house with some single fishermen boarders. His mother died when he was 14, he had 2 sisters and a brother. His father returned to Japan in 1927. His brother went to UBC and then returned to Japan to work. Lists canneries and describes Japanese community in Steveston as 2,000 people strong. Only fished one year when he was 17, then became a skipper in a packer boat. At age 19 he built his own packer and was skipper on it. Was a cash buyer for 2 seasons, working mostly for B.C. Packers. When the War came the government took his boat and sent it to the east coast. He also lost his house and property. He was sent to Castlegar near Nelson and worked in a mine there for 10 years. Returned to the coast in 1952 and went back to running a packer. He did not get adequate compensation for the loss of his house and property. Worked for B.C. Packers and then ran his brother-in-law's packer. Discusses improvements in equipment and packers, as well as current (1976) fishing industry. Japanese women worked filling cans by hand, and Chinese men lived in a big bunkhouse. Indians, Japanese and Whites got along fairly well, but lived in segregated houses. Discusses old community events in Steveston. One hour to Steveston from Vancouver by tram. He went to a Methodist Church as a child. Most of the Japanese remained Buddhist. Japanese Hospital was operated by the Japanese Fishermen's Association. Conflict between Japanese and White unions. Lots of farming by the Japanese as well. Recalls the Steveston opera house and hotels. The decline of farming in Steveston. The state and future of the fishing industry, and the impact of pollution in the Fraser River.

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Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Richmond Arts Centre, 1972-73 & 1976

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Location of originals

Originals held by the City of Richmond Archives.

Availability of other formats

  • Outline in documentation file.
  • Reference cassette copy available in container 000443-128.

Restrictions on access

No access restrictions apply.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

  • Copying Restriction: Undetermined.
  • Use Restriction: Undetermined.
  • Copyright Status: Copyright Richmond Arts Centre?

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General note

Accession number(s): T2097

Credits note

speaker: Isamu Matsuzaki, interviewer: David Stevenson

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