Nestled in the serene town of Hansville, Washington, on the Puget Sound peninsula, the Issei Pioneer Museum stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Japanese immigrants in America. Reaching this unique museum is an experience in itself. For visitors coming from the south, a scenic drive through Tacoma, approximately two hours, leads to Hansville. However, for those traveling from Seattle or points north, consider the efficient and picturesque ferry routes from Seattle-Bainbridge or Edmonds-Kingston. These jumbo ferries offer a swift, 30-minute crossing of the stunning Puget Sound, capable of carrying thousands of passengers and hundreds of vehicles, with frequent sailings throughout the day. From Bainbridge, the museum is a 40-minute drive, while Kingston offers an even closer 20-minute journey.
The Issei Pioneer Museum’s story began during the United States’ bicentennial year. Originally inaugurated in November 1976 at the Salinas Buddhist Temple in California, it was conceived to celebrate and document the profound contributions of Japanese Americans to the prosperity of the nation. This initiative was particularly significant given that Japanese immigration to America, while impactful, is relatively recent compared to many other global migration patterns. The museum’s pioneering status as the first Nikkei museum in the country garnered widespread recognition, including congratulatory messages from prominent figures such as President Ford, Japanese Prime Minister Miki, and California Governor Brown, among others.
Despite its initial success, the museum faced relocation in 1994 when its original hall was slated for demolition to make way for a new gymnasium. Following the curator’s transfer to Seattle in 1995 and subsequently to Mexico City in 2000, the Issei Pioneer Museum found its new home in Hansville, opening its doors in September 2004 after the curator’s retirement. This relocation marked a new chapter for the museum, allowing it to continue its vital mission in a new setting within Washington state, an area with a rich history of Japanese American communities.
The museum’s founder, bestowed with the title ‘Overseas Mission Minister, Kaikyoshi’ in 1956, spent five decades deeply connected with Issei and Nisei generations across various locations, from California to Oregon, Washington, and Mexico. His personal history, as a Sansei with Issei grandparents who immigrated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and a Nisei mother born in Auburn, Washington, deeply informs the museum’s purpose. Having witnessed the passing of the Issei generation and the aging of the Nisei, the museum serves as a crucial repository of their shared experiences and indomitable spirit.
While named to honor the Issei, the museum’s collection also reflects the significant roles of the Nisei, their children. The Nisei generation, while facing hardships akin to their parents, embodied the Issei values of “gaman” (endurance) and “ganbaru” (perseverance), building upon the foundations laid by their predecessors. Their stories are interwoven into the broader narrative of Japanese American history and are integral to understanding the Nikkei experience.
Japanese emigration to the U.S. mainland commenced around 1880, marking over a century of Japanese presence and contribution to American society. The Issei Pioneer Museum encapsulates this journey, illustrating the transition from temporary sojourners to permanent settlers. It highlights the struggles and triumphs of these pioneers, emphasizing their bravery and the lasting legacy they created for future generations. For anyone seeking to understand the history of Nikkei and U.S.-Japan relations, a visit to the Issei Pioneer Museum offers an invaluable opportunity to connect with the spirit of the Issei pioneers and appreciate their profound impact on American history.
In Gassho, Yoshiaki G. Takemura
