Center for Asian American Media

We Came to Grow: Japanese Americans in the Central Valley 1869-1941

We Came to Grow: Japanese Americans in the Central Valley 1869-1941

Documentary | 1999 | 27 mins | DVD

Director

Heather Searles

Producer

Christine Tanaka for KVIE

Ethnicity

Japanese

Subjects

History, Racism, New Immigrants and Refugees (Past & Present)

A chronicle of the first Japanese to settle in California’s Central Valley and their impact on the state’s leading industry. The establishment of the Wakamatsu Colony in Gold Country near Coloma in 1869, by refugees fleeing civil war in the Aizu-Wakamatsu area of Japan, begins a story strongly linked to California’s rise as an agricultural force. Also explored are the development of the Yamato Colony during the early 1900s in Merced County, the formation of families and attempts to limit immigration, citizenship and ownership of property for Japanese new to California. The growth of Nihonmachis (Japanese communities) in most of the valley’s towns and cities, from Marysville to Fresno, is one of many rare historical details included in this program.

Recognition
Local Public Television Broadcast

Pricing

College/Institution

Purchase
DVD: $99
Rental
DVD: $40

Note for K-12/Public Library/Community Groups

If there is no discount pricing listed, please contact us.

For details and for previews, email distribution@asianamericanmedia.org
or call (415) 552-9550.

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