Japanese came to Texas to grow rice

The first Japanese into Texas were brought here to grow rice. On a 1902 tour of the Gulf Coast, Sadatsuchi Uchida, a consular official, became convinced that rice could be grown along the Texas coast and that skilled Japanese labor could do it. As a result, about thirty rice growing projects were organized and manned by Japanese labor imported for that purpose. The most successful of these projects were those at Webster (near Houston) founded in 1902 by Seito Saibara and at Terry (near Beaumont) founded in 1907 by Kichimatsu Kishi. Both men brought families; they enticed other workers to come; and their success attracted still more Japanese immigrants. Some also brought their families, some came alone and worked until they could return home to get their families, and some stayed and married Japanese women who were brought over for the purpose of marriage.

In contrast to the thirteen Japanese known to have been in Texas in 1900, their presence rose to 340 by 1910. As a result, many satellite rice farms sprang up as industrious workers sought independence and success on their own. And with their ensuing wealth, many of the Japanese farmers went on to pursue careers in petroleum, real estate, and other endeavors. Many became philanthropists and leading citizens in their localities in southeast

Texas.

In letters to a friend, one of Saibara’s daughters gives some glimpses to life on his rice farm. Laborers of different nationalities found work there, and the Japanese regard for various racial groups found expression in their eating and sleeping arrangements. Four different tables were used for the meals. The Japanese sat at one table. The Russians sat at another table. Other Caucasians were mixed together at a third table, and the Blacks sat at a fourth table. The sleeping accommodations were similarly segregated. Normally a hired cook prepared the meals, but when a cook was not available. Saibara’s wife fed the crew. But working together and guided by the Japanese work ethic, they became a successful enterprise. George U. Hubbard is an author and former resident of Clarendon.