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Hours:
  Wed - Sun
  Noon - 4:00 pm

Location:
  918 H Street SE
  Auburn Comm Campus
  Auburn, WA 98002
  (253) 288-7433

Copyright © 2002
White River
Valley Museum

New in the Museum

"Issei" a life-size bronze sculpture of Kisa Iseri invites visitors to sit down and look back in time. This dignified and historic piece honors all first generation (Issei) Japanese women who worked so hard to create a life for their families in the Auburn and Kent Valley.

In this sculpture, Kisa is 8 1/2 months pregnant, and seated for a rest after a day in the strawberry fields. Her form is modeled truthfully from a photograph in the museum's collection. The child she is carrying is Mae (Iseri) Yamada, who at age 84 now serves as a Board Member Emeritus for the White River Valley Museum.

Kisa Osuna came to the United States from Japan in 1907. Her family had arranged a marriage with Matahichi (Mat) Iseri, a young man from her hometown of Kumamoto-ken. Kisa Iseri lived to be 103. She bore 12 children, ran her household without extra help, worked on the family farm, and provided aid and friendship to all those around her. Typical of a Japanese woman of her generation, her victories were experienced neighbor to neighbor, individual to individual. She was never a famous woman. Yet she was always a greatly respected woman. As she told her children, "Remember to help others whenever you have a chance. None of us arrived where we are on our own. We got here with the help of many hands."

"Issei" was designed to honor this generation of women who taught their children the value of community, work and integrity -- often without the ability to read or write Japanese or English. Their lives set strong examples of hard work, personal honor and family devotion. "Komodo no Tamane" or "For the Sake of the Children," was said time and again by these women.

The unveiling of "Issei" will be on July 23 by invitation only. It will be available for public viewing the following week.

"Issei" was made possible by many private donations, primarily from Japanese American families of the area, and with a grant from the Auburn Arts Commission. The piece is by acclaimed sculptor Reynaldo Rivera of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and becomes a permanent addition to the museum's collection. "Issei" is set outside the scene depicting the farmhouse kitchen of Kisa Iseri. An empty bronze chair invitingly sits beside her. All are invited to sit down and visit.

The White River Valley Museum is managed as a cooperative partnership between the City of Auburn and the White River Valley Historical Society. The museum and gift shop are open Wednesdays through Sundays, 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm and by appointment for group tours and research. Admission is $1.00 for children and seniors, $2.00 for adults. Each Wednesday is free for everyone.

For recorded information call (253) 288-7433, to speak with staff members (253) 939-2783, or to fax dial (253) 931-3098.

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