The pieces in this collection came from a variety of sources: some were excerpted from longer memoirs left by Nisei survivors; others were passed down orally to family members or friends, and on to us by e-mail; still others, related directly to us in face-to-face interviews.

It has been a privilege to receive and share these memories, and the Topaz Stories committee would like to thank all of our contributors for trusting us with their family lore.

These stories will eventually be accessible online or through the Topaz Museum in Delta, Utah.

Update (May 29, 2021): The Topaz Stories website was launched on May 1 with six stories. Three stories will be added each week until mid-September 2021. You can go to the website, click on the story tile, and reach each story in its entirety. (The images below are some examples of stories that will be included; they are not links!)

  • Toy Story by Jon Yatabe
  • Kiku’s Angel by Ann Dion & Ken Yamashita
  • Adopted by Quakers by Kerrily Kitano
  • Better than Crystal City by Tom Kawakami
  • First and Last Tanforan Babies by Ruth Hara
  • Father and Son by Dan Hirano
  • The Quality Market by Gail Nanbu
  • Brownie by Roy Iwata
  • From Horse Stall to Kibei Cowboy by Ken Yamashita