Taka Sisters

Taka Sisters
Origin California, United States
Genres Vaudeville
Years active 1930s
Past members
  • Myrtle Taka
  • Midi Taka
  • Mary Taka

The Taka Sisters were a traveling vaudeville trio of Japanese-American singers and dancers who billed themselves as "the only Japanese triplets on the stage".[1]

Early Years

Myrtle (1916-2011), Midi (1914-1936), and Mary (1912-1991) were the daughters of Nisei’s Imahei Takaoka (a Christian minister and founder of the Hollywood Japanese Independent Church) and Kazuko Majime. Imahei died young from tuberculosis, leaving the family destitute and their son Hal Takaoka in charge. In their teens Myrtle got into show business as an extra. She convinced her sisters to go into vaudeville as the Taka Sisters, a risqué act of the time.[2]

Murder of Midi Taka

The Taka Sisters became nationally recognized but after headlining Harry’s New York Cabaret between 1935-1936 their careers ended abruptly when Midi Taka was murdered by Raymond Johnson, a jilted lover.[3] Johnson had stabbed William J. Bachand, the other man involved in the love triangle a night before the murder and the police were in pursuit when the second crime was committed. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison.[4][5] Her death became widely publicized as a racial cautionary tale and influenced the novel China Dolls.[6][7]

War Years

At the outbreak of war in 1942, Mary Takaoka[8] was sent to Jerome War Relocation Center while her sister Myrtle[9] and brother Hal spent time in Manzanar.[10] In camp, Mary and Conrad Yama fathered V. Vale.

References

  1. ↑ "Myrtle "Michi" Takaoka Goldfinger". Find A Grave. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Kollenborn, K.P. (March 2011). "A Life Lived: Her story had plenty of drama, Hollywood-style". K.P. Kollenborn. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Page 9". The Indianapolis Star. 12 August 1936. p. 9. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Hal and Myrtle Takaoka, siblings of slain dancer, at a preliminary hearing for their sisters' murder, Los Angeles, 1936". Los Angeles Daily News Negatives. 1936. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "Held in Death of Actress". The Shamrock Texan. 33 (86): 2. 17 August 1936. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Thinking About Lisa See". Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "Girl's Death Laid to Jealous Swain". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 20 August 1930. p. 6. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Mary Takaoka, 1912 - Jerome Relocation, WWII POW summary". Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Myrtle Takaoka, 1917 - Manzanar Relocation, WWII POW summary". Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  10. ↑ Iwasaki, Hikaru (14 March 1945). "Hal Takaoka, floral designer, brought his wife and daughter to Peoria in December 1943 from Manzanar. Mr. Takaoka formerly lived in Los Angeles. His daughter started kindergarten last year and this year she is in the first grade. I enjoy my work here as a floral designer, said Mr. Takaoka. This is my first job since coming to the Midwest and I have found working and living here pleasant for myself and my family.". Online Archive of California. The Regents of the University of California. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
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