A Record of the Japanese Community in the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The “Wasurena-gusa Project” records the history of the Japanese community in the United Kingdom through a number of interviews of those who settled in the UK from 1950 onwards. Launched in 2013 by the Japan Association in the UK, it aims to preserve the valuable testimonies of those who have helped shape the Japanese community in the UK for future generations.
The “Wasurena-gusa Project in NL” is a collaboration between Stichting Nichiran Net and the Japan Association in the UK. Its goal is to document and broadly share the testimonies of Japanese residents in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
NEW INTERVIEW
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Mr. Takeshi Ishikawa
This is an interview with Mr. Takeshi Ishikawa, a native of Fukushima Prefecture. Mr. Ishikawa was a member of the kitchen staff from the opening of Hotel Okura Amsterdam and has an illustrious career that includes providing cuisine for Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun, the former Emperor and Empress (Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita), as well as the current Emperor and Empress of Japan. He also became the first Japanese chef to win a professional chefs’ competition in the Netherlands, among many other notable achievements. -
Ms. Chieko van santen Makinaga
Originally from Hiroshima Prefecture, this is an interview video featuring Chieko van Santen, founder of the Nichiran Silvernet (the predecessor of today’s Nichiran Net). She shares memories of her mother, recollections of her husband, and her experiences from the time she moved to the Netherlands. -
Ms. Makiko Kakugara
Interview 1 – Mrs. Makiko Kakugara. Please enjoy the story of Kakugara-san in our first interview, accompanied by her photographs. Available in both short and full-length versions, the video includes English subtitles for everyone to enjoy—whether you speak Japanese or not.
