1422: Kensuke Takata

1422: Kensuke Takata

Kensuke Takata

Takata was born on 15 May 1884. He was a tea garden operator, owning his own business in partnership with his brother, Hayato Takata, at Gorge Park, Victoria, BC. His family includes Kino Takata (mother), Hayato Takata (brother), Misuyo Takata (wife; nee Misuyo Miyake), Toyoaki Takata (son), Kenji Takata (son), Toshie Takata (daughter), George Takata (son), Junso Takata (son; born on 19 October 1925), Seiji Takata (son; born on 19 February 1929), and Marie Takata (daughter; born on 11 April 1936). He lived at Gorge Park, Victoria, BC and was forcibly uprooted to Princeton, BC; Sandon, BC; Mimico, ON; and 437 Sumach Street, Toronto, ON. His listed seized property includes: 7 room bungalow, 1 small shed, 2 large tea rooms, dance hall, and 9 small summer houses owned by Kensuke Takata and Hayato Takata on Gorge Park property (owned by B.C. Electric Railway Company Limited, Victoria, BC); furniture, appliances, gardening tools, and other belongings pertaining to tea garden business; shrubs and plants [some reported stolen]; household belongings; sewing machine; stove; upright piano; garden swing.
Sex M
Date of Birth 15 May 1884
Nationality Japanese national
Locations after uprooting
Princeton, BC
Sandon, BC
Mimico, ON
Toronto, ON
Locations before uprooting
Victoria
Reel
C-9319 (250-287)
Type Person
Custodian Number 1422
Name Kensuke Takata
Dates
Not Before: 30 March 1942
Not After: 21 April 1946
Case File Also Contains
This file also contains documents pertaining to Japanese garden and tea house [also “Japanese Tea Gardens”] in Gorge Park, Victoria, BC, including correspondence to and from Takata concerning his business and property, theft and vandalism of said property (and elsewhere in Victoria, BC), and streetcar capacity in Victoria, BC.
Excerpt I would appreciate it very much if you would buy it from me, much that I’d hate to see it, but when I know of its owners it gives a different feeling. It seems that selling it to you is the best solution, if I’m not asking you too much for it. As otherwise if I do have it sent I believe the expense is much more than I can afford at the present moment. You can see that the only reason why I’ve decided to sell the piano is that I haven’t enough to have it sent, nor enough to buy a new one without having anything to do with that one. If I can’t get the money from the Custodian into my own hands I’m doing this all in vain. However, I will write the Custodian and enquire about it. (Letter written by by Miss Toshi Takata to Mrs. H.W. Stanoil regarding the sale of Takata’s upright piano)

Metadata

Title

1422: Kensuke Takata

Credits

Metadata Author: Erin Chan
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Terminology

Readers of these historical materials will encounter derogatory references to Japanese Canadians and euphemisms used to obscure the intent and impacts of the internment and dispossession. While these are important realities of the history, the Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective urges users to carefully consider their own terminological choices in writing and speaking about this topic today as we confront past injustice. See our statement on terminology, and related sources here.