The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-04
CASTE KEEPS THEM APART.
Only Thirty Japanese in Kansas City
and Few Know One An
other.
Kansas City Star.

y
The japanese living in Kansas City
about thirty in all, are a silent, in
dustrious class Of residents. They talk
little, but think much. Many Of t1em
are here to learn. With one or two
exceptions they are unmarried. They
have no social organization and
though they are thousands of miles
from: their native land there appears
to be class or caste distinction that
keeps some Of them apart.
Many Of the professions and avo-
cations in Japan are represented
among the few Japanese living here,
such as civil engineers, merchants,
restaurant keepers, bamboo workers
and day laborers. There are several
university graduates here and also
representatives Of the unlearned class.
Three civil engineers are employed
by Kansas City engineers; the two
curio stores, one on Twelfth Street
and the other on Grand Avende, give
| work to FIVE japanese; ten are en-
ployed in three japanese restaur-
ants; three or four chefs have posi-
tions in private homes; there are five
bamboo workers here; for several
seasons four japanese have conducted
a rolling ball game at an amusement
park; one Japanese is employed in
the Office of a grain commission mer-
chant in the board Of trade.
Three civil engineers are employed
by J. A. Waddell, civil engineer. Two
are graduates Of the Imperial Uni
versity of Toxic, Japan, and the other
has diploma from a technical school
Of high standing.
These civil engineers are the aris-
tocrats among the japanese in Kan
sas City. NJ. Fuquda's father: is the
governor Of one Of the provinces Of
Japan. Another is the son Of re-
tired colonel of the japanese army.
"How long have you lived here?''
the colonel's son was asked this
morning.
"Sixteen months" he replied.
"How many Of the Japanese living
in Kansas City do you know?"
"About five, those here in the Of
flee and one or two besides." he said.
"Why don't you associate with the
japanese living in Kansas City"
"Our tastes are Different he re-
piled, and that is all the explanation
he would give.
NJ. f'ukuda went to Mr.. Waddell a
few weeks ago and asked leave of
absence, saying he needed vacation.
II am fond Of gardening" he
said, "and I will go to the country.''
NJ. Fukuda is now on a farm near
Kansas City and will remain there
until vegetable time is past.
"The japanese working in my Of
fee are students,' Mr.. Waddell said.
"They stay here a few years and re-
turn to Japan as matter Of duty,
~ offered a japanese draughts-
man $3.50 a month to remain with me
a few years ago, but he refused to
accept a position in Japan at $50 a
month. He gave as his excuse fo1
leaving that he nad promised to re-
turn to Japan and give his own eoun-
try the benefit Of his knowledge
The bamboo work done here is in.
teresting to Americans. The raw BAN
boo is imported from Japan and from
it is made all sorts of furniture, such
as tables, bureaus, bedsteads, writing
desks, music racks, brackets and book
shelves.
japanese chefs receive salaries
much higher than the native cook:
and not enough Of them are here to
supply the demand.
One Of the Japanese young mer
who operates the rolling ball game al
one Of the parks in Kansas City mar.
ried an American girl. He met he1
one night when sac and her Ame1i
can "beau'' stopped at his table tc