so he returned to Japan to further his education and pursue a career there.

Sakichi and Matsugoro returned to Japan.during the Boshin War of 1868.

who was visiting Japan from California as a docent for the American River Conservancy (ARC).and the descendants of those who returned from the Wakamatsu Colony look backed on the footsteps their ancestors had taken in both Japan and the U.JUNKO YOSHIDADescendants of the Wakamatsu Colony returnees who participated in the visit to Sakichi Yanagisawas grave in Tokyo: from left.

More than a century and a half had passed since their ancestors first landed in California.the Wakamatsu Colony collapsed after about two years.

great-granddaughter of Sakichi and Nami; Kanako Yamaguchi.

a group of 19th-century Japanese immigrants believed to be the first to settle in North America.By MICHELLE TIOKen Minami and brothers Albert Saisho and Kenji Saisho co-founded the Nikkei Student Union.

I think from the very beginning.And theyre telling me all this stuff.

I was able to speak with Ken Minami and Albert Saisho about their experiences co-founding the Nikkei Student Union and their thoughts on how NSU has grown since its inception.Rafu: Why was the Nikkei Student Union founded?Albert (left) and Ken (right) enjoying wine at Inglenook Winery in Napa Valley.