by Jean Hibino
In April 1943 Junzo Hibino, an Issei man incarcerated in Topaz Relocation Center, wrote a letter in English to his son, Yosh, who was studying at the University of Texas in Austin.
Junzo had come to the US from Gifu Prefecture in 1903, intending to study English and become a doctor; but he eventually abandoned his dream. By the time the War began, he was living in Berkeley with his wife, Ito, and sons Yoshiyuki (Yosh) and Yukio (Yuk). The Hibinos worked as domestics in the homes of rich white people, gardening, cleaning, cooking, serving, and other odd jobs here and there.
On April 24, 1942 orders were issued for the Berkeley Japanese community to leave. The junk man came and took almost everything the Hibinos owned for $50, including their beloved dog, Boy. Six days later the family entered Tanforan as family number 13605. Yosh later recalled, “I remember sitting on the bus to Tanforan Assembly Center next to my brother with our folks sitting behind us. I see Ma sitting on the cot that first day in the horse stable, crying. I wasn’t much good at giving her consolation.”
On September 11, 1942 they arrived at Topaz, Barrack 5-9-C. Yosh had volunteered to go to Topaz a little earlier to help with the construction of the barracks, the irony of which did not escape him. By October of 1942 Yosh was at the University of Texas in Austin thanks to the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council.
This is the letter that Junzo wrote to his son (click here to view the actual letter):
Topaz Utah
April 15 43.
Dearest Yoshi,
How are your cold? I hope all gone by this time. I am and Mam are well. …
I inclose Topaz Times extra you to read. One of MP shot to killed one of residents, so great trouble going on here (killed within barbed wire fence reason unknown).
Another bad news I must tell you that. One of young man attacked Mr Obata night of April 4 (Sunday) about 11 o’clock at corner of Building 9. hited [hit] above eye by the metal pip [pipe]. Mr Obata in the Hospital now, but getting better. The attacker did not found yet. Oh that night we had hard night Mama were still up but I were in the bed.
This place hell.
Next time I will write you good news if I can.
Good by good luck to you
Dad
The two incidents referred to in his letter would forever be linked to Topaz, and continue to stir up painful and angry memories today. The first, the shooting death by a Topaz guard of James Hatsuaki Wakasa, aged 63, on April 11, 1943, caused widespread anger and fear. Junzo included in his letter a copy of the Topaz Times Extra printed on April 12, which published the camp administration’s version of the incident–a version not supported by the postmortem. The second reference is to the vicious attack by another camp resident on Professor Chiura Obata, founder of the Topaz Art School, on April 4th. The Hibinos lived at 5-9-C, and the Obatas were their next-door neighbors. Junzo’s letter reflects the trauma suffered by many Topaz residents, who felt helpless and fearful at being targeted not only by camp guards, but by other residents.
After Yuk volunteered for the Army in August 1943, Junzo and Ito were alone. They were finally able to leave Topaz in March 1944. By this time, Yosh was married to Nobu Kumekawa and they were settled in Boston, so Junzo and Ito joined them in Massachusetts. Junzo was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1945 and passed away in 1946.
Yosh and Nobu remained in New England for the rest of their lives and raised their family there. Yosh vowed never to return to California because he did not want his family to experience the racism that he, his brother and parents had faced there.
About the contributor: Junzo’s letter was shared with us by his granddaughter–Yosh’s daughter, Jean Hibino. Jean is the Executive Secretary of the Nisei Student Relocation Commemorative Fund, a national scholarship program founded by a group of Nisei in New England, including Jean’s parents, Yosh and Nobu Hibino. The founders were all able to leave the WWII concentration camps to complete their college educations with the help of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council. In the spirit of ongaeshi (repaying a kindness), they committed to “pay it forward” to students in overlooked and underserved communities.
Copyright Jean Hibino, 2022. All rights reserved.
thank you for doing this