Hello all,
I've been trying to figure out clues to my heritage for awhile now. I'm half caucasian and half Korean-Japanese. According to my mother, my grandfather (Korean) worked for my grandmother's father in Japan. She was a nurse during the war; and about 30 when her father sent her to marry my grandfather in Korea. From what I understand, at that point she changed her family history to Korean names. I understand her family name to be Iwasaki and that the rest of her siblings remained in Japan (one as a nun), but that is about it. My mom isn't very forthcoming with information, to say the least.
Recently she gave me young photos of my grandmother in Japan. I am curious if someone(s) here familiar with Japanese culture and language could help gather clues from the photographs. There is writing (I assume names) which I would love to know. I would also greatly appreciate any subtle information which can be derived from these--such as hints which may come from style of dress or background structures. Any names, places, clues to economic status, etc. that could be garnered would be helpful.
My grandmother is 94 and living in Korea. She knows Korean and Japanese, and I know English so am at a loss in terms of communication. And, from what I understand she is even less forthcoming with my mother than my mother is with me about our lineage. The family has always been a little touchy about the subject so I'm attempting to gather information on my own. I would be absolutely thrilled to learn anything, even if just my grandmother's name. ^^
Thanks in advance,
J.
(Grandmother is far right)
(Right)
(Left)
I assume that the women with her in photos 3 and 4 are her sisters.
I've been trying to figure out clues to my heritage for awhile now. I'm half caucasian and half Korean-Japanese. According to my mother, my grandfather (Korean) worked for my grandmother's father in Japan. She was a nurse during the war; and about 30 when her father sent her to marry my grandfather in Korea. From what I understand, at that point she changed her family history to Korean names. I understand her family name to be Iwasaki and that the rest of her siblings remained in Japan (one as a nun), but that is about it. My mom isn't very forthcoming with information, to say the least.
Recently she gave me young photos of my grandmother in Japan. I am curious if someone(s) here familiar with Japanese culture and language could help gather clues from the photographs. There is writing (I assume names) which I would love to know. I would also greatly appreciate any subtle information which can be derived from these--such as hints which may come from style of dress or background structures. Any names, places, clues to economic status, etc. that could be garnered would be helpful.
My grandmother is 94 and living in Korea. She knows Korean and Japanese, and I know English so am at a loss in terms of communication. And, from what I understand she is even less forthcoming with my mother than my mother is with me about our lineage. The family has always been a little touchy about the subject so I'm attempting to gather information on my own. I would be absolutely thrilled to learn anything, even if just my grandmother's name. ^^
Thanks in advance,
J.
(Grandmother is far right)
(Right)
(Left)
I assume that the women with her in photos 3 and 4 are her sisters.