27

A page from Sayoko Hattori's pattern book, ca. 1930
1930
Vancouver, BC

28

Pattern drawings from Sayoko Hattori's pattern book
1930
Vancouver, BC

29

A page from Sayoko Hattori's pattern book, ca. 1930
1930
Vancouver, BC

30

Pattern drawing from Sayoko Hattori's pattern book
1930
Vancouver, BC

31

A page from Sayoko Hattori's pattern book, ca. 1930
1930
Vancouver, BC

32

A portrait of Sayoko Hattori (left) and her dressmaking teacher, Yayoi Negishi
1930
Vancouver, BC

33

Translation of a letter to Susan Michi Sirovyak from Kimiyo Oshikawa, daughter of dressmaker Yayoi Negishi:

"I received your letter in July and am sorry for the belated reply.

At the time I received you letter, my mother was in the countryside in the prefecture of Ehime. I could not ask my mother by telephone, as she has poor hearing. I was scheduled to meet my mother in August during Obon so I thought I would ask her about the things and show her your letter at that time.

She is old, born in 1901 and is 95 years old. The story and things are old as well. (I am not sure if I have asked enough to be useful to you.) She was married in 1925 or 1926. She started learning and then teaching dressmaking as soon as she moved to Canada. She worked at the shop of Mrs. Uchida, who is the mother of Dr. Uchida. She began to teach and show new employees dressmaking as she was the longest working employee at the shop.

A woman co-worker who lived across the street from her place suggested to her that they open their own shop nearby in Vancouver, away from Mrs. Uchida's shop. They named the shop "Grandview Dress-Maker" taking the name of the street where it was located. People said that you have named it very grand. The woman could not continue with the shop, unfortunately. Her husband died in an accident shortly before starting the shop and so she had to go back to Japan. As a result Mother had to start the shop alone. Helped by an interpreter, Miss Hattori, she worked alone. Many orders kept her busy. She ran the shop until the war started and all the Japanese were sent to Lemon Creek.

That is the story my mother has relayed to me.

We looked for pictures, one in particular of my mother working in front of a big mirror, however we could not find it. Although we found a picture (enclosed) of her when she was a dress-maker. Also enclosed are books and notes she used when she was learning and teaching girls to sew. I hope that these items are useful to you.

After the war, she returned to Japan and taught girls sewing. She also sewed for other people. When I was a child, all my clothing was hand made by my mother. Okage-sama-de, by Buddha's help, mother has a good appetite and keeps a clear head ... In May of next year, we have made plans to take a trip to Vancouver.

To Ms. Susan Michi Sirovyak
From Kimiyo Oshikawa, 1996"