| biography | Yuichi Akune (née Yuichi Kawabata) has a significant role in the Japanese Canadian community, before and after World War II. He is internationally recognized for his passion and refined talent in Kendo. He was born on February 3 1909, in Kominato, Kagoshima, Japan. His surname was changed to 'Akune' after he was legally adopted by his cousin, Nariyoshi Akune. He is referred to as 'Gichan' by his son, Roy Akune.
Yuichi Akune was selected in his family to board the Empress of Australia on his journey to Canada on April 25, 1925, to accommodate his cousin as a deckhand on his gillnets boat. Because he was not of legal age to immigrate to Canada without parental guidance, his birth date was changed to February 3, 1907. He arrived in Vancouver, May 25, 1925. He first settled in Canoe Pass (Westham Island) in Delta, BC for two years. There, he worked as a deckhand in Nariyoshi's gillnetter. In the winter, he lived in Vancouver to study English at night school and work as a delivery boy for the Continental Times (Tairiku Shinbun).
In 1930, Yuichi joined Senenkai (Young Men's Association) in Steveston to participate in Kendo (Japanese martial arts), where he eventually became the head instructor due to his exceptional skill. Mr Ichiro Hirayama (member of the Senenkai) and his wife commented on Yuichi's admirable characteristics: majime (disciplined and responsible), gambari (perseverence), isshokenmei (hard work), and gaman (self-reliance). Overtime, news of Yuichi's kendo and teaching skills spread throughout Greater Vancouver. He was called to instruct at the Sunbury (North Delta), Strawberry Hill (Surrey), Queensboro (New Westminister), Acme Cannery (Sea Island) and Vancouver Kendo Dojos. His prominent achievements in Kendo tournaments were eventually featured in the local newspaper. Mr Yasui, a former captain of the United States Kendo team, stated that Yuichi is the only member of the Canadian team who defeated all twelve American players, including himself.
During this time, when Yuichi is not fishing, he would be teaching kendo at the six Dojos, including Steveston Dojo. Transportation in train and boat are common in this period. Yuichi married to Shizuka Akune on November 17, 1934. Their marriage is arranged by Mr. and Mrs Tokuji Hirayama. Shizuka was referred as ‘Bachan’ by Roy Akune. He remembered her as having these three traits: yasahi (gentleness), omoiyari (thoughtfulness) and shinsetsu (kindness). She is fluent in both English and Japanese, due to the expectation of preserving her heritage. Her ‘resilience’ and ‘stoic’ traits were developed from traumatic experiences that occurred in her life.
Yuichi and Shizuka took up residency in Steveston in 1934, and were later moved to a two story house on Trites Road in favour of raising their children there. During their settlement in Steveston, Shizuka gave birth to two boys and three girls.
In March 1942, Yuichi and Shizuka were forcibly moved and interned at Southern Alberta in response to the War Measures Act. They were assigned to the Hereford's farm in Diamond City. During this time, Roy was living with his grandparents in Turin. The Akune family struggled to survive in terrible living conditions there. Fortunately, they were relocated to the Alexander farm in Iron Springs for two years, 1942-1943. Ikuta sensei (Shinjo Ikuta, one of the leaders of the Raymond temple) recognized Yuichi's talent and accomplishment in the sport. In 1943, Rev. Shinjo Ikuta invited the Akune family to move to Raymond, Alberta, in his desire for Yuichi to organize the Raymond Kendo Club. Soon, the club flourished in Southern Alberta.
Yuichi's passion for kendo is limitless. Throughout the later half of his life, he devoted most of his time contributing to the development of many Kendo clubs in parts of Canada. In 1952, He re-established the Steveston Kendo Club. He also formed the first, post war international tournament in 1958, where clubs from California and Washington meet to compete. The tournament became an annual event in Steveston that eventually attract provinces as far as Toronto and states as south as Los Angeles. He further assisted in the development of kendo clubs in Vancouver as well as in Winnepeg and Toronto.
His role as the head instructor reached to an end as he retired in the 80s. As a result, he became known as a respectable teacher where students looked up to him as an inspiration for their successes. One of the reasons for his earned respect is because of his nurturing characteristic - he strives to improve his students progress. Mr Ted Koyata was one of Yuichi's former students who visited him every year. Rev. Kyojo Ikuta and his brothers, Makoto and Kunihiko, were also Yuichi's cherishable students. After the passing of Yuichi, Koyata visits Shizuka on a regular basis.
After the family moved to a house at 1145, 4th Avenue in 1992, Yuichi died three years later on July 3, 1995 (age 84) - His decline in health became evident as he was unable to walk the stairs due to his hip pain.
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