604 465 4322General Store Site 12294 Harris Road Pitt Meadows, B.C.
Click Here for Directions& Visiting Hours
Saito Family
Family information in Pitt Meadows in 1942
Residence (Before and After Uprooting) – PO Box 86, Baynes Road, Pitt Meadows – Kamloops, BC and Westwold, BC
Husband – Senjuro Saito – Born on December 5th 1885. Occupation: Self Employed Farmer. Passed away June 22nd 1951.
Wife – Kane Saito (Nee: Kane Tsuneki) – Born on January 18th 1895. Occupation: Housewife. Passed away October 1st 1954.
Children
- Tatsuo Saito (Son) – Born on January 8th 1916. Occupation: Farmer employed by father. Passed away on February 19th 2001.
- Shohe “Sho” Saito (Son) – Born on August 4th 1918. Occupation: Farmer employed by father. Passed away May 1st 1995.
- Masao Saito (Son) – Born on May 18th 1924. Occupation: Student. Passed away September 14th 1986.
- Minoru Saito (Son) – Born on March 7th 1921, passed away in 1944 while serving as a translator for the Japanese Army – never interned.
- Kay Kikue Saito (Daughter) – Born on December 16th 1926. No Records. Passed away March 16th 2005.
- Hitoshi Saito (Son) – Born on March 29th 1929. No Records. Passed away June 23rd 2016.
- Yoshihisa Saito (Son) – Born on December 7th 1932. No Records
*****
Residence (Before and After Uprooting) – PO Box 86, Baynes Road, Pitt Meadows – Westwold, BC
Husband – Tatsuo Saito – Son of Senjuro Saito, same as above.
Wife – Michi Saito (Nee: Michi Miyagishima) – Born on February 15th 1920. Occupation: Housewife.
Children
- Kenichi Saito (Son) – Born on February 10th, 1940. No Records
- Ryoko Saito (Daughter) – Born on November 10th 1941. No Records.
*****
History of the Saito Family
The following history was provided by members of the Saito family.
Senjuro Saito was born in 1885 in Shizuoka-ken, Japan, where he was raised with a deep respect for traditional Japanese values. At the age of 22, driven by ambition and the hope for a better life, he made the bold decision to immigrate to Canada in 1907. His solo journey reflected both his adventurous spirit and a determination to seek opportunity abroad.
Between 1907 and 1915, Senjuro worked a range of labor-intensive jobs, embodying the resilience and work ethic of his cultural roots. His pursuit of prosperity led him to Skagway, Alaska, where he panned for gold during the gold rush. Though he didn’t strike it rich, he remained undeterred, eventually finding work aboard salmon fishing boats on the Skeena River in British Columbia. His willingness to adapt and persevere spoke volumes about his character.
In 1915, Senjuro returned to Japan for a prearranged marriage to Kane Tsuneki, a fellow native of Shizuoka born in 1893. Their marriage, held on March 15 of that year, reflected the values of family tradition and cultural heritage. By 1917, the couple had returned to Canada in pursuit of greater opportunities. Senjuro initially worked as a logger in North Vancouver before settling in Port Hammond, where he spent many years employed at the Hammond Cedar Mill—a cornerstone of the local economy until its closure in 2019.
On February 6, 1923, Senjuro purchased a 15-acre farm on Baynes Road in Pitt Meadows, fronting the Fraser River—an important milestone in building a new life rooted in both Canadian and Japanese values. With the help of Kane, he cleared the land by hand and horse, planting raspberries, hops, beans, asparagus, Japanese radish, and various fruit trees. His primary focus, however, was strawberries, and he became one of the largest strawberry producers in the Fraser Valley.
In addition to strawberries, Senjuro became widely known within the Japanese community as the leading supplier of takuan, a pickled daikon radish. Each winter, he prepared several hundred barrels, which were then sold and distributed throughout the Japanese stores in and around the Vancouver area.
The farm, originally sustained by well water, demanded constant, hard labor. Senjuro worked five days a week at the cedar mill for 40 cents an hour, while dedicating his evenings and weekends—seven days a week, all year long—to tending the farm.
Kane and their children played vital roles on the farm. Family cooperation and hard work were central to their way of life. Despite encountering discrimination from non-Japanese neighbors, the Saitos found community among the many Japanese Canadian farmers in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. By the 1930s and early 1940s, Japanese Canadians made up about 30% of the local population, with around 40 Japanese farming families in Pitt Meadows alone.
Over the next 16 years, Senjuro expanded his farming operations by acquiring two additional properties: a 10-acre parcel known as “The Highlands,” located on the west side of Bonson Road just south of Hammond Road, and a 25-acre farm at the northeast corner of Harris Road and Lougheed Highway. As his success grew, so did his role in the community—he became a respected leader, actively involved in the Lower Mainland Farmers Association and the Pitt Meadows Japanese Community Hall.
In 1939, Senjuro, along with Kinya Hinatsu, purchased the Japanese Hall and its surrounding property, strengthening their cultural presence in the region. The Japanese Hall still stands today and is recognized as a historic building in Pitt Meadows.
Together, Senjuro and Kane raised seven children—six sons and one daughter: Tatsuo, Shohei, Minoru, Masao, Kikue (daughter) Hitoshi, and Yoshihisa. While education was highly valued, necessity often took precedence. Tatsuo and Shohei left school after grades 8 and 9, respectively, to help on the farm. Their younger siblings, however, were able to pursue university studies, reflecting the family's sacrifices and hopes for the future.
World War II brought profound hardship. Their son Minoru, who had been attending Hiroshima University, was killed in Okinawa while serving as a translator for the Japanese army. The family was devastated.
In 1942, under the War Measures Act, Japanese Canadians were forcibly removed from coastal areas, and their properties were confiscated by the government. Those unable to secure independent work or housing were sent to internment camps, while others were relocated to road construction camps in British Columbia and Ontario, where men were often separated from their families. Many were also sent to sugar beet farms across Alberta, Manitoba, and parts of Saskatchewan. A limited number of families, including the Saitos, were allowed to move to designated “self-supporting” sites, provided they could secure employment and housing away from the coast.
To avoid internment, the Saito family arranged to work on a farm in Westwold, B.C. Senjuro’s friend, Mr. Iwata, had rented a farm through a white intermediary and invited Senjuro to join him, requesting that he bring his two tractors to help clear the land and begin planting. The property had two houses, and the Saitos moved into one of them.
In Westwold, the Saitos became part of a small community primarily composed of other displaced Japanese farmers. They supported themselves by working for the Iwata family and on nearby orchards in Vernon and Kamloops. To transport their farm equipment, vehicles, and household belongings, Senjuro leveraged his connection with the Hammond rail yard master and rented a boxcar for $90 under the “settlers’ rate.”
Fearing permanent loss of his land, Senjuro made the strategic decision to sell his 15-acre farm and home to his German neighbors, Wilhelm and Mabel Speigler, for $2,600. Unlike most Japanese farmers who lost everything when their land was confiscated and sold by the government, this decision allowed Senjuro to retain some financial value from his life’s work.
After six months in Westwold, Senjuro’s health began to deteriorate, and the lack of a nearby hospital made it difficult to access proper care. Additionally, Westwold did not have a high school for his older children. With the help of their friends Jujiro (George) and Sue Oishi—who not only found the family a rental home but also had connections with local officials—the Saitos were able to relocate to Kamloops, where they could be closer to both medical services and educational opportunities.
In 1946, Senjuro’s eldest son Tatsuo, with the help of a neighbor, Reg Hook, acquired a 15-acre farm in North Kamloops. At the time, Japanese Canadians were still prohibited from owning property, so the purchase was made through a proxy, with Hook holding the title on the family's behalf. Following Japanese tradition, the eldest son took on the responsibility of supporting the family. They cultivated mainly tomatoes and onions on the farm. Although World War II ended in September 1945, Japanese Canadians were not allowed to return to the West Coast until 1949. The Saito family remained in Kamloops until the restriction was lifted.
In Dec 1949, with Senjuro’s guidance, Tatsuo purchased a 15-acre farm in Surrey BC, prompting most of the family to relocate there. After the war, many Japanese-Canadian families resettled in Surrey, forming farming co-ops to support each other and sell their produce.
Meanwhile, the Veterans' Land Administration (VLA),created in 1942 to help returning Canadian servicemen, had taken control of many Japanese-owned farms. Properties in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, including the Saitos’ 10- acre “Highlands” property, the 25-acre farm near Lougheed Highway and the Japanese Hall property, were never returned. The VLA who acquired the land gave the property and homes away to war veterans who did not farm but lived in the homes originally built by Japanese families.
After the war, Senjuro’s sons Tatsuo and Shohei attempted to recover the two farms and the Japanese Hall that were confiscated in 1942. They were told that if the land had not been sold, they could reclaim it by paying back taxes. Sadly, all properties had been sold and no compensation was ever provided.
Senjuro passed away in 1951 at the age of 66 in Surrey. Kane followed three years later in 1954 at the age of 60. Their relatively early deaths speak to the physical and emotional hardships they endured throughout their lives.
Senjuro Saito’s life is a testament to courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to family and community. From his journey across the Pacific to his leadership in Canadian agriculture, he faced adversity with dignity. His legacy lives on in his descendants and in the broader history of Japanese Canadians who helped shape British Columbia.
Senjuro Saito was born in 1885 in Shizuoka-ken, Japan, where he was raised with a deep respect for traditional Japanese values. At the age of 22, driven by ambition and the hope for a better life, he made the bold decision to immigrate to Canada in 1907. His solo journey reflected both his adventurous spirit and a determination to seek opportunity abroad.
Between 1907 and 1915, Senjuro worked a range of labor-intensive jobs, embodying the resilience and work ethic of his cultural roots. His pursuit of prosperity led him to Skagway, Alaska, where he panned for gold during the gold rush. Though he didn’t strike it rich, he remained undeterred, eventually finding work aboard salmon fishing boats on the Skeena River in British Columbia. His willingness to adapt and persevere spoke volumes about his character.
In 1915, Senjuro returned to Japan for a prearranged marriage to Kane Tsuneki, a fellow native of Shizuoka born in 1893. Their marriage, held on March 15 of that year, reflected the values of family tradition and cultural heritage. By 1917, the couple had returned to Canada in pursuit of greater opportunities. Senjuro initially worked as a logger in North Vancouver before settling in Port Hammond, where he spent many years employed at the Hammond Cedar Mill—a cornerstone of the local economy until its closure in 2019.
On February 6, 1923, Senjuro purchased a 15-acre farm on Baynes Road in Pitt Meadows, fronting the Fraser River—an important milestone in building a new life rooted in both Canadian and Japanese values. With the help of Kane, he cleared the land by hand and horse, planting raspberries, hops, beans, asparagus, Japanese radish, and various fruit trees. His primary focus, however, was strawberries, and he became one of the largest strawberry producers in the Fraser Valley.
In addition to strawberries, Senjuro became widely known within the Japanese community as the leading supplier of takuan, a pickled daikon radish. Each winter, he prepared several hundred barrels, which were then sold and distributed throughout the Japanese stores in and around the Vancouver area.
The farm, originally sustained by well water, demanded constant, hard labor. Senjuro worked five days a week at the cedar mill for 40 cents an hour, while dedicating his evenings and weekends—seven days a week, all year long—to tending the farm.
Kane and their children played vital roles on the farm. Family cooperation and hard work were central to their way of life. Despite encountering discrimination from non-Japanese neighbors, the Saitos found community among the many Japanese Canadian farmers in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. By the 1930s and early 1940s, Japanese Canadians made up about 30% of the local population, with around 40 Japanese farming families in Pitt Meadows alone.
Over the next 16 years, Senjuro expanded his farming operations by acquiring two additional properties: a 10-acre parcel known as “The Highlands,” located on the west side of Bonson Road just south of Hammond Road, and a 25-acre farm at the northeast corner of Harris Road and Lougheed Highway. As his success grew, so did his role in the community—he became a respected leader, actively involved in the Lower Mainland Farmers Association and the Pitt Meadows Japanese Community Hall.
In 1939, Senjuro, along with Kinya Hinatsu, purchased the Japanese Hall and its surrounding property, strengthening their cultural presence in the region. The Japanese Hall still stands today and is recognized as a historic building in Pitt Meadows.
Together, Senjuro and Kane raised seven children—six sons and one daughter: Tatsuo, Shohei, Minoru, Masao, Kikue (daughter) Hitoshi, and Yoshihisa. While education was highly valued, necessity often took precedence. Tatsuo and Shohei left school after grades 8 and 9, respectively, to help on the farm. Their younger siblings, however, were able to pursue university studies, reflecting the family's sacrifices and hopes for the future.
World War II brought profound hardship. Their son Minoru, who had been attending Hiroshima University, was killed in Okinawa while serving as a translator for the Japanese army. The family was devastated.
In 1942, under the War Measures Act, Japanese Canadians were forcibly removed from coastal areas, and their properties were confiscated by the government. Those unable to secure independent work or housing were sent to internment camps, while others were relocated to road construction camps in British Columbia and Ontario, where men were often separated from their families. Many were also sent to sugar beet farms across Alberta, Manitoba, and parts of Saskatchewan. A limited number of families, including the Saitos, were allowed to move to designated “self-supporting” sites, provided they could secure employment and housing away from the coast.
To avoid internment, the Saito family arranged to work on a farm in Westwold, B.C. Senjuro’s friend, Mr. Iwata, had rented a farm through a white intermediary and invited Senjuro to join him, requesting that he bring his two tractors to help clear the land and begin planting. The property had two houses, and the Saitos moved into one of them.
In Westwold, the Saitos became part of a small community primarily composed of other displaced Japanese farmers. They supported themselves by working for the Iwata family and on nearby orchards in Vernon and Kamloops. To transport their farm equipment, vehicles, and household belongings, Senjuro leveraged his connection with the Hammond rail yard master and rented a boxcar for $90 under the “settlers’ rate.”
Fearing permanent loss of his land, Senjuro made the strategic decision to sell his 15-acre farm and home to his German neighbors, Wilhelm and Mabel Speigler, for $2,600. Unlike most Japanese farmers who lost everything when their land was confiscated and sold by the government, this decision allowed Senjuro to retain some financial value from his life’s work.
After six months in Westwold, Senjuro’s health began to deteriorate, and the lack of a nearby hospital made it difficult to access proper care. Additionally, Westwold did not have a high school for his older children. With the help of their friends Jujiro (George) and Sue Oishi—who not only found the family a rental home but also had connections with local officials—the Saitos were able to relocate to Kamloops, where they could be closer to both medical services and educational opportunities.
In 1946, Senjuro’s eldest son Tatsuo, with the help of a neighbor, Reg Hook, acquired a 15-acre farm in North Kamloops. At the time, Japanese Canadians were still prohibited from owning property, so the purchase was made through a proxy, with Hook holding the title on the family's behalf. Following Japanese tradition, the eldest son took on the responsibility of supporting the family. They cultivated mainly tomatoes and onions on the farm. Although World War II ended in September 1945, Japanese Canadians were not allowed to return to the West Coast until 1949. The Saito family remained in Kamloops until the restriction was lifted.
In Dec 1949, with Senjuro’s guidance, Tatsuo purchased a 15-acre farm in Surrey BC, prompting most of the family to relocate there. After the war, many Japanese-Canadian families resettled in Surrey, forming farming co-ops to support each other and sell their produce.
Meanwhile, the Veterans' Land Administration (VLA),created in 1942 to help returning Canadian servicemen, had taken control of many Japanese-owned farms. Properties in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, including the Saitos’ 10- acre “Highlands” property, the 25-acre farm near Lougheed Highway and the Japanese Hall property, were never returned. The VLA who acquired the land gave the property and homes away to war veterans who did not farm but lived in the homes originally built by Japanese families.
After the war, Senjuro’s sons Tatsuo and Shohei attempted to recover the two farms and the Japanese Hall that were confiscated in 1942. They were told that if the land had not been sold, they could reclaim it by paying back taxes. Sadly, all properties had been sold and no compensation was ever provided.
Senjuro passed away in 1951 at the age of 66 in Surrey. Kane followed three years later in 1954 at the age of 60. Their relatively early deaths speak to the physical and emotional hardships they endured throughout their lives.
Senjuro Saito’s life is a testament to courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to family and community. From his journey across the Pacific to his leadership in Canadian agriculture, he faced adversity with dignity. His legacy lives on in his descendants and in the broader history of Japanese Canadians who helped shape British Columbia.
*****
Internment Records
Through the Landscapes of Injustice, the Internment Records for each family member are now accessible. If there are no records of the family member it could be because they were under 16 years old and were put on their parents forms.
*****
