At the end of the 19th century, many people from the small town of Mihama, Wakayama, began to make their quests to Canada. There are several beliefs to why these people decided to leave their homeland. These reasons are derived from the economic climate of both Japan and Canada at the time, and from the cultural character of Mihama people. This emigration period was an important time in Mihama's history, one of which we would like to share.
　During this era, America was the center stage of world economy and was very wealthy. On the other hand, the small rural fishing village of Mio was extremely poor, and the people living there had to face many hardships. In addition to the poverty, the Mio fishermen rights to fish around the Cape of Hinomisaki were also lost due to a dispute with the Senshu Kishiwada Fishermen of Osaka on April 19, 1894. This incident worsened living conditions, and as a result, people of Mio were driven away to Canada in search for a better life. Another probable reason, as suggested by some Japanese, to why the Mio people emigrate to Canada was due to the Mio people's adventurous character. For example, during the Edo period, many people from the Kii peninsula went to Izu Island and Chiba prefecture to teach people how to fish Kii style. Another instance was during the Meiji period in which people from Wakayama moved to Oregon to become wheat farmers. These examples show that

　The first Japanese man from Mio to emigrate to Canada was Mr. Kuno Gihei. Mr. Kuno was born in Mio in the first year of Ansei era (1800's). When he was only 19 years old, Mr. Kuno was already an established carpenter and was training his own apprentices. Mr. Kuno was a pleasant natured, energetic, and positive man
　Mr. Kuno first learned about the fishing and agricultural opportunities in Canada from shipyard workers while he was working in Yokohama in 1886. After hearing about this, Mr. Kuno was inspired to seize the opportunity to move to Canada. Not only did he desire to search for new wealth alone, he also thought of his poor fellow villagers. Thus, prior to his journey to Canada, Mr. Kuno first returned to Mio and pleaded his fellow villagers to go with him. However, no one agreed to go.
　So, by March of Meiji 21st, Mr. Kuno left Mio village for Yokohoma where he stayed with Mr. Yoshino Kanzo, a friend whom he met while working as a carpenter. There, he was preparing and waiting for his opportunity to arise. Finally, one day in April of the same year, his chance arrived and he boarded the ship 'Abshiniya' and left for Canada.
　Before leaving, Mr. Kuno wrote a letter to his father, stating that when he arrived in Canada, he would tell him more of the conditions there. In addition, he asked his father to take care of his children. This letter can still be read today at the America Mura Museum in Mio.
　Recently, new historical evidence showed that Mr. Kuno did not actually board the ship on the date April 20th as believed, but that he boarded on the ship some time in August instead. According to records, Mr. Kuno arrived in Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia after 30 days of journey. The date on which he arrived was September 5th, 1888.
Mr. Kuno Gihei


　By 1940, over 2000 people from Mio had emigrated to Canada. These people became an important part of Mio village's financial support. For instance, when elementary schools or shrines in Mio were rebuilt, many of these people funded the construction projects. Even now, we can still see the names of these donors and the amount of their donation on plaques in shrines.
　During years between the end of Taisho period and the beginning of Showa period, Japan was a very poor nation. Nevertheless, there were still new developments in Mio because of Japanese Canadian financial support.
　However, by year 1941, Mio did receive financial support from Japanese Canadians due to World War II. During this time, the Canadian government perceived all Canadians of Japanese descents potential spies. Therefore, most, if not all of these Japanese Canadians, were sent off to camps, and had their properties confiscated. Thus, having to suffer financially themselves, as well, these Japanese Canadians were not fit to financially support the people in Mio. This situation was not resolved until 1949.
　After the war was over, more than 400 Mio immigrants left Canada and returned to Mio village. At that time, Japanese economy was also in its slump due to inflation and shortage of food, and Mio was of no difference. Thus, because of the large number of returnees, the population of Mio increased, and therefore became a burden to the already weakened economy of Mio. This was a great problem and challenge for the people of Mio.
　After 1949, Mio financial support from the Japanese Canadians was resumed and in 1950, the Mio-Canadian Association was established. Because of their effort, many of those 400 returnees began to emigrate to Canada again. And by 1960, most of the returnees had returned to Canada. This is the outline of the history of Mihama emigrants to Canada.
　Artifacts and Emigrants lifestyle in Canada displayed at the America-mura Museum in Mio.

　As a result of the 100th year anniversary of the Japanese emigration to Canada, the Mihama town International Exchange Association was established. From 1990, the Mihama town International Exchange Association, in collaboration with the BC Wakayaman Association, started an exchange program where young students from both Mihama and Canada could experience home stay exchange. People who are related to Mio Village are already the third or fourth generation. If this exchange continues, Mr. Kuno's frontier spirit will live forever.

　From 1990,students from Canada have been visiting Mihama in alternate years for a short period during the summer. Vice versa, students from Mihama have also been doing the same, going to Canada in alternate years.



Photos of Mihama's students' Visit to Canada.


If you click here, you can enlarge the photo.




Photos of Canada's students' Visit to Mihama.