The Samurai in Our Closet
What if the most powerful story you ever learned was the one your family never told you?
Mandy Shintani grew up in a small town in Ontario with a secret hidden in her parents’ closet — her father, George Shintani, had a 450-year-old samurai sword, the story of which was never discussed. After his death at the age of 97, Mandy began uncovering untold stories of Canadians of Japanese heritage through the lens of her father's life. That journey shapes her new podcast series around George's life, including his early life in Japantown in Vancouver, his internment during the Second World War along with thousands of other Japanese Canadians, and his time working on war crimes with the Canadian Intelligence Corps in Southeast Asia. Finally, Mandy explores how the next generation is recovering these stories and the culture of their ancestors.
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Janet Sperling, AB
"Fascinating stories we can all relate to - amazing stories showing how our family histories echo through the ages. Mandy has brilliantly, tactfully and sensitively illuminated a part of Canadian history that needs to be told."
Graham Watts, BC
"I can't get over the depth of knowledge and the ability to recreate life from a historical perspective. I learned a tremendous amount. Absolutely incredible work."
Lillian Michiko Yano, ON
"This podcast series is incredible as it chronicles unique firsthand voices of Japanese Canadians. Luckily, Mandy‘s father had kept a journal. There are many details of his experience in the Canadian army and as a post war, interrogator and interpreter."