Torn Apart

by Susan Aihoshi

  Thursday, February 19

  Now the papers say that no province in Canada wants any “Japs” and B.C. is going to have to solve its own problem. What will happen to us if we have to leave Vancouver?

  Sunday, February 22

  The gang came over to play Parcheesi this afternoon. We ended up talking about If Day that was held in Winnipeg on Thursday and Friday to raise money for the Victory Loan campaign. It was in all the papers and on the radio, and showed what could happen if the Nazis really invaded Canada.

  I think If Day was a good idea. Men posing as Nazis arrested the mayor, several aldermen, Manitoba’s premier and the entire cabinet. They burned books about freedom and democracy in front of the main library, closed churches and arrested teachers to make sure only the “Nazi truth” would be taught. Signs announced Nazi supremacy and the new rules people had to follow. All religious, ethnic or Jewish organizations had to close and turn over their money and property to the invaders. The main Winnipeg paper printed a special section with only Nazi views. Pretty scary, even if it wasn’t real.

  Maggie and Ellen talked about how Vancouver could do something similar to show how horrible it is when people lose their freedom. Except Sachi said that if we had an If Day here, instead of Nazis there’d be fake Japanese soldiers taking over and arresting everyone. Then white people would hate the Japanese Canadians even more than they already do. She’s right!

  Tuesday, February 24

  Guide meeting tonight. It’s so dark out that it felt later than it really was, so we sang campfire songs all the way there. We learned to tie some different knots and played some new games, but it was even darker when we went home.

  A Nisei from Edmonton has joined the army now, so Tad’s hopeful about enlisting again. He’s given up the idea of joining the volunteer civilian corps of Japanese Canadians. Instead, he’s going to the recruitment office on his way to work tomorrow. He’s so stubborn.

  Wednesday, February 25

  Another dreary day. On the radio tonight, total evacuation of Japanese Canadians from coastal areas was announced.

  Tad was poring over the New Canadian, which we rely on for news more than ever. The radio and Vancouver papers make for nasty listening or reading — they call us “Japs” more than I can ever remember. Suddenly Tad said, “Oh, for Pete’s sake!” and left the room. I picked up the paper and saw this headline: Nisei Must Be Ready to Accept Injustice. That must have been what made Tad so angry.

  I know how he feels. Why should we simply accept injustice? Aren’t we Canadian citizens and British subjects?

  I’m glad I’ve got this diary to write down all my thoughts. Sachiko understands how I feel, but I’m not sure Ellen or even Maggie realizes just how horrible this is for us.

  Thursday, February 26

  Terrible news today for our family and all Japanese Canadians. I don’t have to imagine what If Day would be like here, it’s happening to us now! We have to turn in all motor vehicles, radios and cameras to somebody or something called the Custodian. Poor Papa’s going to lose his car. And without our radio, how will we keep up to date? I can’t possibly give up my camera! It’s so small, I’m sure I can hide it somewhere. But if I keep it, will I get into trouble or cause problems for Mama and Papa?

  The worst thing is that now we have a dusk to dawn curfew. How can Sachi and I get to Guide meetings? Mama can’t have tea night anymore and her customers won’t be able to drop off or pick up their mending in the evenings. Papa and Tad will have to go to work later and leave sooner, and so will Mike and Kay. We can’t visit friends, go to the movies or do anything at night! This is SO unfair.

  Friday, February 27

  Yesterday the News-Herald had a special front page for the Victory Loan Campaign. It wasn’t as dramatic as Winnipeg’s If Day, but the headline was “STRENG VERBOTEN,” which means strictly forbidden in German. Underneath were the rules to be followed if the Nazis took over.

  But today’s New Canadian did a clever thing. They made “STRENG VERBOTEN” a headline and listed two of those same rules for the Jews in Germany — curfew and turning in vehicles. Then right below, they reprinted articles from yesterday’s Province. I’ve pasted them here:

  Drastic Restriction Ottawa Sets Up Curfew Law For All Coast Japs/All Ordered to Be In Homes By Sunset/AT ONCE/OTTAWA, Feb. 26 — (CP) — Japanese living within British Columbia coastal areas must remain in their homes between sunset and sunrise under a curfew order approved by the Dominion Government.

  Strictly Forbidden OTTAWA, Feb. 27 — (CP) — Persons of Japanese race living in the protected area of British Columbia are forbidden possession or use of “any motor vehicle, camera, radio transmitter, radio receiving set, firearm, ammunition or explosive” under an amendment to the defence of Canada regulations, made known today.

  What a daring way to show how horrible these new orders are for us! Tad was surprised the New Canadian was allowed to do this. Mike thought it was because it appeared on the second page!

  Monday, March 2

  The police caught twelve Japanese Canadians breaking curfew, including two milkmen out on their rounds before sunrise. They were all let go with warnings, but it’s scared everyone. We don’t dare go anywhere after dark.

  The New Canadian reports that all our evening sports tournaments are cancelled — basketball, table tennis and bowling! Curfew has “rubbed out” sports in the community. But how can whoever wrote that go on to say: We can take it. Crying over matters will not help … for what’s to be done will have to be done.

  I simply can’t believe people aren’t more angry or upset!

  Japanese men who aren’t naturalized really are being sent away to road camps in the Rockies. Two farmers from Langley left last week, leaving behind their wives and children. Everyone’s dismayed because families are being torn apart. I asked Papa what will happen to Geechan and he said he doesn’t know.

  Tuesday, March 3

  Maggie and Ellen went to Guides tonight without me and Sachi, but not because of curfew. Today is Girls’ Day — Hina Matsuri. I love it when Mama brings out our set of special dolls from Japan and puts them on display. Usually she unpacks them before the end of February, but this year she didn’t get them out until last night. The dolls have been in Mama’s family a long time. They once belonged to Aunt Eiko as oldest sister, but she never married and Aunt Aki only has boys, so Aunt Eiko gave them to Mama when Kay was born.

  After Emma and I got home from school, we helped Mama arrange the dolls on the shelves of a stand covered in red cloth. The figures are dressed as the Emperor, Empress, musicians and other people of the court. There are miniature lanterns, furniture and trees. I love the dolls’ beautiful costumes, but Mama kept sighing as we put the display together. Something is bothering her when she does that. She looked so serious I was afraid to ask what was wrong.

  Papa left work early and went to Powell Street before dusk. He brought back some pink sakura mochi, a Girls’ Day treat. He was lucky to find any because most shops were closing up because of curfew. We ate them with green tea after supper but we didn’t feel festive. It didn’t help when Papa said he saw big notices up on Powell Street ordering all people of the Japanese race to leave the protected zone. It doesn’t matter if you are naturalized or born in Canada. I can’t believe it.

  Vancouver General Hospital dismissed three Nisei nurses in training. One of them is the sister of Emma’s friend Yoshiko. Emma was really distressed at the news because she hopes to be a nurse herself one day. I’m really worried and scared about what might happen next.

  Wednesday, March 4

  This morning after breakfast Mama wrapped the Hina dolls in extra newspaper and put the box into a bigger wooden crate. She also packed away the box of Boys’ Day banners that we usually bring out on May 5. Mama stuffed some straw around the boxes and asked Mike to nail the crate shut. Then she wrapped it up tightly with sturdy string. When I asked what she was doing, she said she was making sure the dolls and banners
will be kept somewhere extra safe. Sachi told me her family just put their dolls back in their attic like they always do.

  Thursday, March 5

  Mama must have known what might happen. The New Canadian confirmed that everyone must now turn over our property and belongings to the Custodian of Enemy Alien Property as a “protective measure.” Now we are all enemy aliens, not just those born in Japan! Why do our property and belongings even need protection? Tad said Mama labelled the crate of Girls’ and Boys’ Day things with Aunt Aki’s address in Montreal. Then she asked him to take it to the CPR station and have it shipped. I suppose we’ll get the crate back sometime. But what about our other belongings? We can’t possibly ship everything we own to Aunt Aki!

  Papa was also very angry today when he got home from work. He explained there’s now something called the B.C. Security Commission taking charge of the Japanese Canadian community. One of the men this commission hired to help them is a Mr. Morii. Papa said it was an unfortunate choice and Geechan shook his head in agreement. Mama called it disgraceful. When I asked why, Tad replied angrily, “Because he’s a bully and an extortionist!”

  I asked what that last word meant. Papa said it’s someone who forces others to pay money for protection. I still didn’t understand, so Tad said that this Mr. Morii runs a Powell Street gambling house as well as a jūdō club. If somebody refuses to pay for protection, he sends men from the club to beat them up. Apparently this really happened to certain shopkeepers. But no one will talk about it or tell the police in case they’re beaten again!

  No wonder Papa and Mama are upset about Mr. Morii working for the Security Commission. I thought being picked on by Billy was bad, but I’m disgusted that someone from our own community could be so wicked.

  Friday, March 6

  For days now, the papers have carried shocking stories about what the Japanese have been doing in Hong Kong and elsewhere. I can’t even bear to think of those things, let alone write about them here. Papa doesn’t want me reading these accounts. They are so sickening, he may be right. Maybe they’re one reason why the hakujin hate us so much.

  At supper tonight, Kay told us she was coming home on the streetcar when a hakujin lady sitting beside her asked her if she was Chinese or Japanese. Kay replied she was Japanese and the lady said, “It’s terrible what you people are doing in this war.” Then she got up and moved to another seat!

  “You people”? Why can’t these hakujin understand that we have nothing to do with those Japanese soldiers? I hate what they’ve done as much as anyone.

  Monday, March 9

  I dread every time the papers arrive. I didn’t think things could get much worse but I was wrong. To start it was just men born in Japan and not naturalized who were sent to road camps. The first group left a few weeks ago. But now even Canadian-born men as well as naturalized Issei have to leave the coast. I’m so worried about my family. We don’t know when this could happen, but there’s nothing they or we can do about it. I can’t stand feeling so helpless! Papa’s been naturalized for twenty-five years and Tad and Mike were born here. Why won’t the government recognize our loyalty to Canada?

  And as if I don’t have enough to worry about, Billy has started following me again. To avoid him, I’ve been leaving homeroom quickly and rushing to my next class. He tried saying something to me in the hallway this morning but I ran away — luckily the monitors didn’t see me!

  Tad saw big signs on the North Shore highway today that said Japs Keep Out! I can’t understand what’s happening anymore.

  I hope Sachi and I can get to Guides tomorrow. We’ll be devastated if we can’t!

  Tuesday, March 10

  We did it! Sachi and I got around curfew and stayed at Guides for the whole meeting!

  Sachi had supper with us tonight. Then Maggie and Ellen came here and the four of us walked quickly to the church. Sachi and I told our leaders that we might have to leave early because of curfew. They were surprised and said they’d accompany us home if necessary. But it began to rain about an hour into the meeting. Maggie had brought along her father’s big black umbrella and she had a brilliant idea. We four would all huddle underneath the umbrella and hope no policeman would notice that two of us were Japanese. All for one and one for all! Miss McLeod asked me to phone her when we got home so she’d know we arrived safely. Maggie’s idea worked!

  The only thing that wasn’t nice was that when I tried to call Miss McLeod, the people who share our party line were on the phone already. Somebody said, “Why don’t you get your own line, you stupid Jap!” I was so shocked, I put the receiver down and waited five minutes before calling Miss McLeod.

  Wednesday, March 11

  Managed to avoid Billy today. Harry listened to his last Lone Ranger program tonight. Our radio has to go by week’s end.

  Mama said that the Hiranos had their home searched by Mounties. They had already turned in their camera and radio and said how unpleasant it was having someone going through their personal belongings. I can’t imagine Mounties coming here and looking through our home. I’ve hidden my camera in a safe place for now — sure hope no one finds it. I don’t want to get myself or anyone in my family into trouble. We have enough to worry about already!

  People have started turning in their cars to the impounding centre at the Hastings Park racetrack. Nobody wanted to sell to the used-car dealers trying to buy from them. Instead, they did as asked by our government and gave up their cars or trucks to the Custodian of Enemy Property. The RCMP barracks at 33rd and Heather was busy too, with people turning in cameras and radios. It all feels so unreal.

  Thursday, March 12

  When I got home from school, Mama said a Mountie came today and told Geechan he has to go to a road camp in the Rockies and must be at the train station on Monday.

  At supper tonight, everyone was miserable except Geechan. He kept saying, “Shikata-ga-nai” — it cannot be helped. Geechan is much older than the forty-five-year age limit for sending the Issei away. I think it’s disgraceful taking an old man away from his family to do hard labour in some desolate place in the Rockies! Maybe he should have gone back to Japan before Pearl Harbor. He still has family back in Nagasaki. He might have had a comfortable life there instead of being treated like a criminal in Canada!!

  Friday, March 13

  No one came for tea tonight. Everyone is afraid. A man was arrested for breaking curfew the other day and sentenced to six months in jail! Mama says I’d better be extra careful on Guide nights or I can’t go anymore.

  When Mike came home he said that tomorrow is his last day at the lumberyard. Mr. Yamamoto has no trucks to pick up or deliver supplies, so there’s little work. I hope that Mike won’t be sent away next!

  And Aunt Eiko has lost her bookkeeping job for that company on Powell Street that imports goods from Japan. Japanese ships haven’t been able to enter Canada ever since we declared war against Japan after Pearl Harbor. Aunt Eiko doesn’t know what she’ll do for money now.

  Geechan’s been praying more in front of his little shrine lately. I should be saying prayers for all of us, too.

  Saturday, March 14

  Today Papa asked Kay to see if Mrs. Franklin would like our radio. Kay came back from next door furious. Mrs. Franklin didn’t want the radio because she was afraid of receiving enemy messages on it. How ridiculous! We ended up giving it to Kay’s friend Audrey Young over on Triumph Street. Mr. Young told Papa if he ever wanted it back, just to let him know.

  Even though the news on the radio upsets me, how can we keep informed without it? Thank goodness the New Canadian can still publish. Harry is really disappointed that he can’t listen to The Lone Ranger anymore. And we’ll all miss the big-band shows. At least Tad and Mike brought their portable gramophone upstairs so we can still hear some music. Life is becoming very dull but at the same time full of worry.

  Sunday, March 15

  Geechan leaves us tomorrow. Everyone’s been really glum — even Harry was quiet
at our farewell supper tonight. Mama cooked Geechan’s favourite dishes but nobody ate much. She made sure Geechan packed lots of warm clothes and a mackinaw jacket because it’s going to be very cold in the mountains. I can’t stand the thought of him going away!

  Monday, March 16

  Rags knew something was wrong this morning. He followed Geechan everywhere until it was time for him to go. Papa thought it would be too sad if we all went to the train station, so only he and Tad did. The rest of us said our goodbyes here. I tried really hard not to cry. Geechan looked so stern in his coat and hat. I handed him a box of Maple Buds I’d been saving and he finally smiled.

  The house feels so empty without him. He even took his little shrine, but asked Papa to look after his bonsai. I’ve been feeling blue ever since we learned Geechan was leaving, and now he’s really gone. Mama said Kay and Emma can move into his old room. I’ll finally have my own bedroom, but I hate how this happened.

  Tuesday, March 17

  I managed to avoid Billy today because we had another air-raid drill at school. I took in our empty tin cans this morning for the scrap metal drive. We still have drives for Victory Stamps and a new one to raise money to send milk to British children. Some girls are knitting afghans for the Red Cross.

  But, diary, here’s the truth. My heart isn’t into the war effort now that Geechan’s gone and Mike could be sent away any time too, never mind Tad and Papa! I don’t know how Sachi stays so optimistic. She’s making afghan squares, just to have something to do in the evenings during curfew and it helps towards her Knitter badge. I’d rather be reading but I have to find another good book.