Concert programme from Aiko Saita's second North American tour
Nikkei National Museum collection, 2011.11.2.7
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SJCTM - 14 - Aiko Saita
Raymond and Carolyn share the story of Aiko Saita, an international music star and Cumberland-born Nisei. Saita's studies in Italy were funded by the Japanese Canadian community, who formed the "Saita Aiko Kouenkai" (Aiko Saita support group) to pay for her world-class training. Although she passed away in Japan in 1954, Aiko Saita maintained a deep connection with the Japanese Canadian community: her third North American tour was cut short by the illness which took her life. Even today, many Nisei still remember going to hear her sing.
Produced and hosted by Raymond Nakamura and Carolyn Nakagawa
Music by Aiko Saita
Sources:
Aiko Saita information file, Nikkei National Museum. Available to in-person researchers at the museum.
Kishibe, Kaye. "Aiko Saita, 1909-1954". Nikkei Images 9.2 (Summer 2004): 7-8. Available in print and online.
The New Canadian newspaper archives. Available online.