The Kizuna Project was formed in the spring of 2024 to document the history of Tucson’s Japanese community by conducting and filming oral histories and the artifacts that accompany them. The project is starting to post its first oral histories. Many more will follow.
These firsthand stories of Tucson residents cover their experiences and those of their families through World War II to the present. Some of these wartime experiences took place in the U.S. internment camps and U.S. military, while others took place in Japan. Post-war stories focus on the effort to start businesses and Japanese cultural organizations in Tucson. They testify to the resilience of the Japanese spirit and their desire to contribute to the community.
These short oral histories do not attempt to cover a person’s entire life, but rather a single feature or defining moment. Through them, we offer a montage that links a family’s past to its present and to the Japanese community as a whole, embodying the meaning of kizuna, bonds forged through trust and support.
The oral histories and images will be available to schools, libraries and other organizations wanting information about Executive Order 9066, World War II or Tucson history. The Kizuna Project is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c) organization and follows the strict protocol of the Oral History Association.
Carolyn Hanano Skinner and her mother were sent to Heart Mountain Internment Camp under Executive Order 9066, and her father was arrested and scheduled for deportation to Japan. His landscape clients appealed to the government on his behalf, and he was allowed to join them. Her brother was later born there. You can read her bio here and then listen to the video.
Tsugiuo “Harley” Fujimoto was born in Colorado, the son of sharecroppers. His father worked in the Wyoming coal mines in the winter for extra income. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was drafted and assigned to the 442 Regimental Combat Team. He then went to Military Language School. You can read his bio here and then listen to the video.
Trista Tamura, a passionate public school art teacher, reveals the deeply personal journey of her life as a fourth-generation Japanese American. Growing up in the quiet town of Hood River, Oregon, and now calling Tucson home for the past 16 years, Trista’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Her journey is a powerful reflection of self-discovery, a heartfelt reconnection with her cultural heritage, and an enduring determination to inspire hope and possibility for her son’s future. You can read her bio here and then listen to the video.