Yamato Colony: The Pioneers Who Brought Japan to Florida

Written by Ryusuke Kawai. Translated by John Gregersen and Reiko Nishioka.

Opening a window onto the little-known Japanese-American heritage of Florida, Yamato Colony  is the true tale of a daring immigrant venture that left behind an  important legacy. Ryusuke Kawai tells how a Japanese farming settlement  came to be in south Florida, far from other Japanese communities in the  United States.   

Kawai’s captivating story takes readers back  to the early twentieth century, a time when Japanese citizens were  beginning to look to possibilities for individual wealth and success  overseas. Poor, unlucky in love, and dreaming of returning rich to marry  his sweetheart, a young man named Sukeji Morikami boarded a passenger  steamer at the port of Yokohama and set off to make his fortune.   

Morikami  was drawn by promises from his compatriot Jo Sakai, founder of an  agricultural community called Yamato between Boca Raton and Delray  Beach, Florida. Sakai extolled the prospects of raising pineapples and  other crops amid the state’s economic boom and exciting developments  like Flagler’s East Coast Railway. This book follows the experiences of  Morikami and his fellow Yamato settlers through World War II, when the  struggling colony closed for good. Morikami held on to his hopes for  Yamato until the end, when at last, the lone survivor, he donated the  land that would become the widely visited Morikami Museum and Japanese  Gardens.   

Celebrating the lives of ordinary men and women who  left their homes and traveled an enormous distance to settle and raise  their families in Florida, this book brings to light a unique moment in  the state’s history that few people know about today.   

Paper: 208 pp.

UNLESS FINAL SALE:
Full refunds (less shipping and handling) will be issued provided that the merchandise is in resalable condition upon receipt and the merchandise is returned within 30 days of the delivery date. Before returning any merchandise for a refund or exchange, please email us at museumstore@janm.org. We will provide you with information necessary for the return authorization.

JANM Store Return Policy

STANDARD DELIVERY: Standard deliveries within the continental U.S. are sent via UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail from Los Angeles, California. Delivery time varies depending on location and product availability but generally takes from 3-10 business days. You will be advised of a delay in shipping that exceeds 30 days.

JANM Store Shipping Policy

The JANM Store is now offering onsite pick-up for orders placed online. Just select “Pick Up in Store” at checkout. You will receive a notification email when your order is ready for pick-up.

Pick-up is by appointment only! Please reply with the date and approximate time you will be picking up your order.
We ask that you pick up your order no later than 10 days after it is ready. If your reply is not received within one week, or you cannot pick up your order within 10 days, your order may be canceled.

We DO NOT guarantee same-day pick-up. Orders received by 3:00 p.m. on a business day will usually be available for pick up by the next available pick-up date. When you arrive at the entrance to the Museum, please call the Store at 888.769.5559, and one of our Sales Associates will bring out your order.

Please allow an extra day for pick-ups on Thanksgiving weekend and the week before Christmas.

We require that you make an appointment for pick up. Appointment times are Tuesday-Saturday 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Days and hours available for a pick up (subject to change without prior notice).

We are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Membership in JANM provides numerous benefits (*including 10% off eligible JANM Store purchases!), and supports our mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the experiences of Japanese Americans. Become a new Member, renew your Membership, or share JANM with a friend or loved one by giving a Gift Membership.

Add a membership to your cart and you'll immediately receive 10% off all qualifying items on your order.

Join Today