The purpose of this site is to provide information on the campaign to turn Joy Kogawa's childhood home into a historic literary landmark for Vancouver and all of Canada.
The house was purchased by The Land Conservancy of BC in May 2006. Funds are now needed to restore the house to they way it looked between 1938 and 1942, when author Joy Kogawa lived there as a child; to turn the house into a historic literary landmark; and and to create an annual writers-in-residence program.
Donate now to the campaign.
Joy Kogawa's comments about the Sept 17 first public open house for Kogawa House
Tue, 2006-09-19 22:47 — Todd WongJoy Kogawa sent us an e-mail about her day at the Open House event.
She writes:
I was blown away the moment I arrived – the big tent for registration in the front lawn, the flowers on the stone pillars, the long display of the timeline and photos along the fence. It was so attractive and celebratory and such a surprise!
And then inside, with the display – Tim’s toy cars, the Japanese writing tablet, the 1937 calendar, the green picture that used to be in the house, etc. Joan and Sabina in attendance in the living room, the words from Obasan on the red paper on the walls and doors, the crush of people, the congratulatory words and smiles, the tv crew with Todd, the woman who had lived in the house after we left, the Steves’ ‘boys’ and their wives, and ‘my’ bedroom with my funny old desk and typewriter and a few more things from the house – and talking to so many people.
I was late for the book signing outside, down past the Nikkei history display, past the area set up for selling books, to the two tents and the long book signing, a steady stream from 2 to 4, and in the middle of it, the wonder of music, with Todd and his accordion, the Masako Watanabe from the JCCA Bulletin on his guitar and Harry Aoki on his double bass and Jessica Cheung. It had the touch of Todd. The Farewell Song (from Naomi's Road opera). I was so choked up.
A daughter of a Toronto Nissei friend, a grandchild of dear Toronto friends, teachers, students, church people, neighbours, a young man who had made a documentary about the internment – And I didn’t get to see the garage setup until it was time to take it down.
Then the spreading of the manure around the poor doomed tree, and the apple tree. And at the end, Todd again with his accordion and ‘happy birthday’ and having the wonderful chocolate zucchini cake that Ann-Marie made for David’s birthday. The most delicious moist chocolate cake ever! I wanted to savour it and keep it for after dinner at our daughter’s place.
David was saying in the car, “That Ann-Marie. She sure knows how to cook.”
What a day and what a team!
It’s all stored, a memory potion to bring forth and taste and remember, a wondrous event that will be there, for the rest of my life, ready to transform something sad into something good, an event that tells us miracles can happen, that the impossible can happen, and that love wins.
Kogawa House - open house event - Sept 17, photos on flickr.com
Tue, 2006-09-19 22:38 — Todd WongOpen House event at Joy Kogawa House, September 17th.
photographs posted on Flickr.com
Kogawa House Time Line
Uploaded on 19 September 2006
By gunghaggisdr...
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Joy Kogawa
Uploaded on 19 September 2006
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house, open, joy, 2006 | Jessica with .... |
 | Catherine and the cherry tree |
 | Tamsin Baker and Catherine |
 | and the best news is!! |
 | Harry Aoki |
 | The rain can't hold us back |
 | Todd Wong and Jessica Cheung |
some of the guests watch the performance
Uploaded on 19 September 2006
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Joy and the cherry tree
Uploaded on 19 September 2006
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The First Open House at Kogawa House
Mon, 2006-09-18 22:55 — Todd WongKogawa House
The open house event at Joy Kogawa House went very well. Many many people came to see the house, and to meet Joy Kogawa, buy copies of her books and have Joy sign them. The Land Conservancy of BC did a wonderful job setting up displays about the history of the house, and the time line events about the Save Kogawa House campaign.
It has been great for the Kogawa House committee to work with Heather Skydt and Tamsin Baker of TLC. Members of our Kogawa House committee also attended to help host and volunteer: Ann-Marie Metten, David Kogawa, Richard Hopkins, Jenni Kato, Joan Young, Sabine Harper and myself.
As people walked up to the house, the first thing they saw was that the white picket fence was decorated with pictures and events highlighting the timeline to save the house from demolition, starting from when the house was built in 1942, and when Joy's family moved into the house.
A tent was set up in the front yard, attended by TLC volunteers Jon and Janet, who gave people an information sheet about the house, and recieved donations for the restoration of the house. TLC also had another display with newsclippins and pictures from events during the Save Kogawa House campaign.
Volunteers greeted people as they entered the house, and other volunteers stood throughout the house to help explain stories of different rooms, as well as historic family items such as toy cars belonging to Joy's brother Timothy, a calligraphy set used by Joy's father, and wooden crates used by the family as they moved from the internment camp in Slocan, BC, to Coaldale, Alberta.
And everybody wanted to say hello to Joy Kogawa.
There was a man who used to play with Joy as a child, before she moved away - Ralph told me that his older brother was in one of the pictures on display that featured Joy and her brother Timothy as children in 1940. There was a woman who brought pictures of the house, during the 1940's when her grandparents lived there, after her family moved away. Both Joy and this woman were very moved by this meeting.
There was a woman Daisy Kong, who had taken pictures of Joy at the Order of BC ceremony earlier this year in June, because Daisy's brother Dr. Wallace Chung also recieved the Order of BC along with Joy, in Victoria. Daisy was amazed when I told her that Dr. Wallace's wife Dr. Madeline Chung was the doctor who delivered me as a baby.
Garry Geddes, current writer in residence at Vancouver Public Library, arrived to give Joy a hug.
Attending the event was also Jen Kato, on our Kogawa House committee, and Jeff Chiba Stearns, who just won the Best Animated Short for the Canadian Awards for Electronic Arts and Animation.
People bought Joy's books and asked her to sign them. My friend Gail Thomson helped manage the booksales. Gail is a librarian at Fraserview Branch in Vancouver, where Joy came to speak during the One Book One Vancouver program.
We surprised Joy with a special musical performance: Jessica Cheung (who played the role of Naomi in the Naomi's Road Opera) sang "The Farewell Song" from the Opera, I accompanied on accordion, Harry Aoki on double bass, and Harry's friend Misako Watanabe on accoustic guitar. Joy was moved to tears.
After the event, we had birthday cake to celebrate David Kogawa's birthday. David is one of our wonderful Kogawa House committee members, and Joy's ex-husband and good friend.
CBC: Reprieved Kogawa House opens to public
Fri, 2006-09-15 19:46 — Todd WongHere's a story on CBC about Kogawa House, and the open house event on Sunday.
I will be there with my accordion, and also volunteering.
Repreived Kogawa House
opens to public
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/09/15/kogawa-house.html
Last Updated Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:59:45 EDT
Joy Kogawa's house, which received a last-minute reprieve from demolition when it was bought by a Vancouver heritage agency this spring, will open to the public this Sunday.
The modest wood-frame house in Marpole is featured in Obasan, Kogawa's much loved novel about the internment of Japanese Canadians, and her children's book, Naomi's Road.
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia bought the house in May and plans to turn it into a residence for writers and an education centre about the Japanese internment during the Second World War.
But the public is being given a one-day chance to see the bungalow before restoration work begins.
Kogawa will be there for a scheduled book signing and the desk and typewriter that she used to write Obasan will be on display.
The event is a fund-raiser to help pay for restoration of the house, which could cost an estimated $500,000.
The house itself was saved from a wrecking ball through the intervention of the Land Conservancy, which led a campaign to save it, working with writers' groups and heritage groups.
The campaign drew donations from 550 people from around the world and a last-minute corporate donation of $500,000 helped with the purchase price.
A developer who owned the property wanted more than $700,000 for the house, which has been neglected over the years.
Kogawa lived in the house with her family from 1937 to 1942, when it was confiscated by the government.
The house has national significance as a symbol of the racial discrimination experienced by Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War.
The house is one of the few residences left in Vancouver that is identified as having been sold by the Canadian government without the lawful owner's permission.
The house is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Google Alert for: kogawa house - September 14
Thu, 2006-09-14 17:33 — Todd Wong
Google Alert for: kogawa house - September 14
in the city UPCOMING EVENTS inthecity@westender.com
Georgia Straight - Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada
... racial discrimination. The open house happens on Sunday afternoon (September 17), with Kogawa herself in attendance to sign books.
Joy Kogawa and her childhood home
Vancouver Westender - BC, Canada
... Homecoming: The Save Kogawa House Committee and the Land Conservancy host a fundraiser and the first public tour of the Joy Kogawa House (1450 W. 64th) on ...
Georgia Straight - Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada
... racial discrimination. The open house happens on Sunday afternoon (September 17), with Kogawa herself in attendance to sign books.
Todd visits Kogawa House - inside and out
Thu, 2006-09-07 19:14 — Todd Wong
Todd visits Kogawa House
- inside and out
The 1915 house is modest, and now seems out of place beside the new larger homes built on either side of it. There is a tall cedar tree and a tall pine tree, and rhododendron bushes in the front yard, shielding the house, as if it is hiding it from the street trying not to be noticed. It is really a wonder that such a small house has survived until now, with all the redevelopment in the Marpole neighborhood.
I looked carefully at the house that I have visited many times in the past year, always veiwing from the outside. The front door was open. Inside was a planning meeting organized by The Land Conservancy of BC - the new owners of the historic house. We would be planning the open house event on September 17th as the first public event at Kogawa House.
Attending the meeting were staff and board members of The Land Conservancy of BC. Heather Skydt and Tamsin have been working with us since December 2nd of last year when the TLC officially stepped in to lead the fundraising to purchase Kogawa House. Ann-Marie Metten is my colleague and friend on the Kogawa House committee. Fran is the event chair. Janet is a member. Rich Kenney is staff.
We are planning an afternoon that will include:
- book signings by Joy
- musical entertainment
- historical displays
- history of the house
- food and drinks
The house is in pretty good structural shape. Past owners have renovated the house at different times. An addition was created. But it looks like the original wood floor and panels in some areas. Joy's desk from Toronto and typewriter that she used to write Obasan is now sitting in her former bedroom. A door from her childhood bedroom was created into what used to be her parents bedroom, next door. Her older brother Timothy slept downstairs. - musical entertainment
- historical displays
- history of the house
- food and drinks
It is a modest house, but a house that you could imagine a Canadian family celebrating Christmas in during the 1940's. The father telling the children that his sister will come look after them, while their mother has to go to Japan to look after her mother. You can imagine the scenes from the Naomi's Road opera happening in this house.
It is a house that a six year old would dream about in the years to come, pining that she could return, after being shuffled from temporary house to temporary house, in internment camps, and sugar beet farms where they were forced to live and work because the Canadian government had deemed this "Born in Canada" family "too dangerous" to live on the Pacific Coast.
In the past year, I have written much about the need to save this house on this website, and even started up a new website www.kogawahouse.com. I wrote up 20 Reasons to Save Kogawa House from Demolition on Oct 19th.
It had been September 22nd, 2005 when Ann-Marie Metten informed me that an architect was inquiring about a demolition permit for 1450 West 64th Ave. Kogawa House. Anne-Marie and I had spoken earlier in February, 2005 when I first wrote 20 Reasons why Joy Kogawa's Obasan is the perfect nomination choice for One Book One Vancouver 2005 program at VPL.
Later that same day, on Sept. 22nd Ann-Marie and I had sent out the following press release:
Kogawa Homestead threatened by Demolition Permit Application
- same week as Joy Kogawa is celebrated throughout Vancouver
This week, notice was received that an application for demolition was made to Vancouver City Hall by the owner of the Kogawa homestead. It is a house celebrated by the award winning novel "Obasan," and the childhood home of famed writer Joy Kogawa.
Kogawa's reaction has been of shock and dispair, as she knew that efforts were being made to save the beloved cherry tree in the back yard which figures prominently in the novel. Vancouver city councillor Jim Green is a founding member of the "Save the Kogawa Homestead" committee.
This is a weekend when Joy Kogawa is being celebrated all across Vancouver... at the Vancouver Public Library for One Book One Vancouver, at a Sep 24th dinnner celbebration for the Rice Paper Magazine 10th Anniversary Celebration, on Sunday for the Word on the Street Book and Magazine Fair, and next week for the Vancouver Opera Premiere for "Naomi's Road."
A movement to buy the house, and to apply for heritage designation was aborted 2 years ago because of high costs to buy the house and resistance from the new owner to sell. The owner at the time said that she liked the house and did not intend to demolish it.
Now more than ever, it is important to preserve this house for the cultural heritage of Vancouver. There is not another house in Vancouver that is recognized for being confiscated during a dark time in Canada's history.
No other house in Vancouver could be turned into a bright spot on our cultural landscape as a writer's retreat, celebrating the work of a writer which has been called the most influential Canadian novel of the past 20 years. There is no other writer whose work helped fuel the Japanese-Canadian Redress movement, and has also received the Order of Canada.
In May, the Vancouver Public Library selected Obasan as the book chosen for all Vancouverites to read, as part of their award winning "city wide book club." Earlier this summer, during One Book One Vancouver events Joy Kogawa held up a graft of the cherry tree that held such a revered place in the novel Obasan - studied by so many Canadians in high schools and universities across Canada. Both the novel and the homestead have a proven place in Vancouver’s literary history.
By the next day we had a call from Alexandra Gill of the Globe & Mail, who put a small article in that weekend's edition.
Also on the Friday night, highlights from the upcoming Vancouver Opera production of Naomi's Road were performed by at the 2nd Annual Vancouver Arts Awards. I bumped into then city councillor Jim Green and mayor Larry Campbell. They asked me about the state of the house, and I informed them. Both Green and Campbell announced to the packed audience of Vancouver's cultural movers and shakers that they were distraught to hear that Joy Kogawa's childhood home was threatened, especially when city council had just passed a motion to plant a cherry tree graft from the house at city hall.
On Saturday night, Joy Kogawa was celebrated with a Community Builder's Award by the Asian Canadian Writer's Workshop at the 10th Anniversary Rice Paper dinner. Joy asked me to speak about the campaign to save the house.
On Sunday afternoon, Joy Kogawa read from her novel Obasan, at the closing event for the 2005 One Book One Vancouver program for the Vancouver Public Library, held during the Word on the Street Book and Magazine Fair.
It was a busy weekend - but the word was out - Joy's childhood home was in danger of demolition. Who people be willing to help save it?
It is now a year later. So much has happened.
Here are some of the highlights:
May, 2005 - Obasan named as the One Book One Vancouver 2005 selection by the Vancouver Public Library. Joy also is reunited with her brother Rev. Timothy Nakayama, whom she hasn't seen in 10 years. 
September 27th,
Asian Canadian Writer's Workshop / Ricepaper magazine 10th Anniversary dinner honouring Joy Kogawa as a Community Builder
(left photo courtesy of Jessica Cheung - right photo courtesy of Vancouver Opera)
September 30 - Oct 2.
Naomi's Road (review) opens at Norman Rothstein Theatre. Commisioned by Vancouver Opera for the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble, it will go on to perform at schools throughout BC, plus Alberta and Washington State.
Naomi's Road (review) opens at Norman Rothstein Theatre. Commisioned by Vancouver Opera for the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble, it will go on to perform at schools throughout BC, plus Alberta and Washington State.
November 1st,
Obasan Cherry Tree Day, declared by Vancouver City Hall. Event is presided over by then Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell, and attended by Paul Whitney (City Librarian), and James Wright (Vancouver Opera General Director).
November 3rd,
Vancouver City Council votes to delay processing demolition permit for 120 day, effective November 30th. 120 days given to Kogawa House, as demolition timeline extended
November 2005
December 26th,
Joy Kogawa featured on CBC Radio's "Sounds Like Canada"
interview by Kathryn Gretzinger
January 22, 2006
Joy Kogawa is the featured poet/author at 2006 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year dinner. Kogawa House is included as a recipient from annual fundraising dinner.
February 8th, 2006
Joy Kogawa House named to Heritage Vancouver's 2006 Top Ten list of endangered buildings.
February 11
Joy Kogawa & Friends - Emotionally and Truthful reading at Chapters on Robson, Saturday Feb 11
Joy is joined by Daphne Marlatt, Ellen Crowe-Swords and Roy Miki.
February 15,
Joy Kogawa is keynote speaker for the Canadian Club's annual "Order of Canada / Flag Day" luncheon - welcoming BC's newest recipients of the Order of Canada. Joy recieved the Order of Canada in 1986.
February 27th,
"Emily Kato" Book launch at Vancouver Public Libary - it is a rewritten version of Itsuka, the sequel to Obasan and focusses on the Japanese Canadian redress process.
March 9th,
Joy Kogawa fundraiser in Toronto, at Church of the Holy Trinity.
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2006/3/11/1816004.html
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2006/3/16/1823641.html
March 26th,
Thomsett Elementary School Children visit Kogawa House with Joy
These Richmond school children also went to City of Vancouver to ask Mayor Sam Sullivan to help save the house.
These Richmond school children also went to City of Vancouver to ask Mayor Sam Sullivan to help save the house.
TLC negotiates a 30 day extension for the demolition permit with the owner of the house.
April 25th,
Joy of Canadian Words - fundraiser event in Vancouver, at Christ Church Cathedral. Special speakers include CBC Radio's Sheryl Mackay, actors Joy Coghill, Doris Chilcott, Hiro Kanagawa, Maiko Bae Yamamoto, Chief Rhonda Larabee. Hosted by Todd Wong (Save Kogawa House Committee) and Bill Turner (The Land Conservancy).
April 30th,
TLC exercises their option to purchase historic Joy Kogawa House.
May 15th
Naomi's Road at Seattle Public Library - seen by Joy Kogawa's brother Rev. Timothy Nakayama
May 18th,
Joy Kogawa named to Order of BC
May 30th,
TLC officially purchases Kogawa House - mortgage free!
TLC becomes proud owner of historic Joy Kogawa House
June 22nd
Joy Kogawa goes to Victoria to recieve Order of BC
http://www.protocol.gov.bc.ca/protocol/prgs/obc/2006/2006_JKogawa.htm
June 23
Gung Haggis Fat JOY KOGAWA HOUSE celebration dinner.
Joy returns from Victoria with Order of BC
Name that important Canadian House: Kogawa House in Vancouver Sun today - Twice!
Fri, 2006-09-01 17:40 — Todd Wong
Name that important Canadian House:
Kogawa House in Vancouver Sun today - Twice!
Vancouver Sun (subscription) - British Columbia, Canada
As a young girl living in a Japanese internment camp in the Slocan Valley, Joy Kogawa often dreamed of her family's former home in Marpole. ...
Kogawa House in Vancouver Sun today - Twice!
Last week Vancouver Sun's Shelley Fralic asked readers to send their nominations for Canada's 25 Most Important houses. I quickly sent in my nomination for Kogawa House. Here's what she wrote:
Todd Wong's nomination for the list is the modest 1915 South Vancouver childhood home of Canadian writer, Joy Kogawa.
In 1942, when Kogawa was six, she, her brother and her parents were turfed from the house and sent to a Japanese internment camp in the B.C. interior.
The house, later auctioned off by the government, was featured in Kogawa's acclaimed autobiography Obasan, and was recently saved from demolition after a national campaign by The Land Conservancy.
Check out this links:
Name that house the sequel
Vancouver Sun (subscription) - British Columbia, Canada
... In 1942, when Kogawa was six, she, her brother and her parents were turfed from the house and sent to a Japanese internment camp in the BC interior.
Vancouver Sun (subscription) - British Columbia, Canada
As a young girl living in a Japanese internment camp in the Slocan Valley, Joy Kogawa often dreamed of her family's former home in Marpole. ...
Public Open House at Historic Joy Kogawa House - September 17
Sun, 2006-08-27 23:34 — Todd Wong
Public Open House
at Historic Joy Kogawa House
September 17, Sunday, 1-4 pm
Here's the PSA about our upcoming public open house at the Historic Joy Kogawa House. I hope everyone will be able to attend and help mingle with the crowd. Sunday, Sept 17 was the best date for Joy's schedule since she will be in town to speak at our AGM in Victoria the day before. We are still working out all the smaller event details, but this is just a start to get the word out. Please forward this on to any special guests you would like to attend. I'll be sending this out to the media over the next few days.
More details to come as they unfold. Please let me know if you are planning on attending because we may need a few hands on board with set-up, networking, and clean-up.
PSA - UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT
What: Public Open House at Historic Joy Kogawa House
When: Sunday, September 17, 2006
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Where: Historic Joy Kogawa House – 1450 West 64th Ave., Marpole neighbourhood in Vancouver
Parking: Parking at the house is limited. Public transit is encouraged.
Admission: By donation at the door
Nearly 550 people from across the globe helped The Land Conservancy purchase the Historic Joy Kogawa House in June, and now it is time to celebrate this accomplishment! TLC will be hosting a public open house on Sunday, Sept 17 from 1 to 4pm for everyone to see the home before renovations take place.
This is a great opportunity for Lower Mainland residents to view the one and one-half storey bungalow where Canadian author Joy Kogawa lived from 1937 to 1942. As a special addition to the house, guests will get to see the original desk and typewriter that Kogawa wrote her award-winning novel, Obasan, on. Kogawa will also be in attendance for a scheduled book signing. All proceeds from the event will go to the restorations and to help set up an endowment for a writers-in-residence program.
The Historic Joy Kogawa House has national significance as a symbol of the racial discrimination experienced by Japanese-Canadians as a consequence of World War II. The house is one of the few residences left in Vancouver that is identified as having been confiscated by the Canadian Government and sold without the lawful owner’s permission.
TLC protects and cares for the places you love most in British Columbia from wilderness areas to cultural landmarks. There is no greater gift we can pass on to future generations than a healthy environment, and TLC is proud to be part of the international conservation movement. Since its inception nine years ago, TLC has preserved more than 100,000 acres on over 150 properties throughout the province.
-30-
For more information:
TLC: Heather Skydt (604) 733-2313; hskydt@conservancy.bc.ca
Save Kogawa House Committee: Ann-Marie Metten (604) 263-6586; ametten@telus.net
Letter of Support from MLA Carole Taylor for Kogawa House
Wed, 2006-07-12 15:57 — Todd WongSave Kogawa House Committee
8107 Cartier Street
Vancouver, BC V6P 4T6
Dear Committee Members:
I would like to recognize you, the members of the Land Conservancy of BC, your volunteers and your donors for the successful conclusion to the project you undertook to save the historic Joy Kogawa House in Marpole. In what is really a very short period of time you have ensured that this cultural landmark will be saved to form part of our history, for future generations of British Columbians to benefit from and enjoy.
Congratulations to you all for your dedication and hard work!
Sincerely,
Carole Taylor, MLA
Vancouver - LangaraJoy Kogawa listed in The Toronto Star's "Essential Book List" for Canada Day
Mon, 2006-07-03 10:19 — Todd Wong
Joy Kogawa listed in The Toronto Star's "Essential Book List"
For Canada Day, the Toronto Star examined what is considered essentially Canadian. They chose judges in all culture categories, who had a few months to compile the top 10 most significant and essential Canadian works. Guess what made the top 10 in books?!
Obasan (1981)Joy Kogawa
It's not often a piece of fiction gets read aloud in the House of Commons, but such was the case with Obasan. The novel played a crucial role in the Japanese-Canadian redress settlement. A blend of fiction and documentary fact, Kogawa's lyrical and moving novel sheds light on the Canadian government's racist policies toward Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. Centred on the protagonist Naomi, a third-generation Japanese Canadian, the novel interweaves past and present as it traces her struggle to unravel the veil of secrecy behind her mother's mysterious absence during wartime. A fiercely nationalistic novel, Obasan nonetheless demands that we take a closer look at the myth of the multicultural nation, and at citizenship and belonging in Canada.
