Jitsuzo Nakata came to Bainbridge Island from Japan in 1892 and secured employment at the Port Blakely mill. After some time, he acquired a lot in Winslow (Present site of Beach's Laundromat). He had a desire to go into business for himself and decided to build a barbershop. It was a slow process, adding a portion at a time as funds were accumulated. When the Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1894, he was called back to Japan for military service. When that conflict ended, he returned to Winslow to continue the unfinished project he'd abandoned so abruptly. It took a long time. Finally the building was completed. The immediate necessity, a barber chair, was obtained. As the long awaited business venture was nearing reality, another obstacle loomed in his path--the Russo-Japanese War of 1904; again, he was called to duty. (in those days, immigrants of Oriental background were not granted the privilege of becoming naturalized American citizens, so it was quite a setback toward their progress in many ways.) However, at the close of the war, the future brightened. Hoping that luck would surely improve, the thoughts of matrimony entered the picture. Jitsuzo Nakata was married to Shima Akimoto at Agenosho, their hometown in Yamaguchi Prefecture, in 1906, and returned to Bainbridge Island with his bride the same year. They became permanent residents of Winslow and together operated the barbershop and laundry. Neither could speak nor understand the English language very well so there were difficulties. Communication through pantomime was most amusing as well as probably quite frustrating. Despite the language barrier, the pioneer spirit was motivated by a very strong will, so all went well.

In the early days, laundry service to nearby waterfront summer homes around the Wing Point area was by rowboat. Some of the occupants of these summer cottages arrive to beach homes by boat, some had private yachts, many did not depend on public transportation. Thus many of the roads were built later as the need arose. Then came horse and buggy delivery. Even at that time, "energy crisis" was known. When "horse power" slowed down to a stop on steep hills, refusing to move along, a treat of a cube of sugar ended the "strike." Possibly, this was the beginning of the demand of fringe benefits.

The Nakatas resided in this barber shop/laundry unit where living quarters had been added in the rear area and upstairs. They raised a family of seven children; four boys and three girls. The children attended public schools and Sunday school and became accepted in the community as readily as they could learn and become adjusted to American customs.

In 1924, the family purchased the Sumiyoshi strawberry farm, located in Winslow, acreage on a corner bordered by roads now known as Wyatt Way and Weaver Road. The farm supplemented the declining barber shop/lauiidry business, and also provided jobs for the growing family. It became a part time home during the strawberry season.

In 1940, the old building on Winslow Way, which had been home for 34 years, was torn down and a grocery store was built in its place (now the laundromat). At this tine, the entire family moved to the aforementioned farm home to join a married son who had lived in the house since 1933. It was a typical old farm house with a windmill, reminiscent of the early 1900's situated only a mile from their original Winslow home. The productive years of this strawberry farm had passed but the family continued to grow crops until 1942. A few vegetables were raised to supply the grocery store operated by the sons

Except for three years during World War 11, Jitsuzo and Shima Nakata lived their retirement years on the farm home. She passed on at the age of 62 years. He survived until he was 80 years old. They both had worked very hard all their lives and had sacrificed a great deal in paving the way for future generations. Thus ended the lives of pioneer ancestors that found contentment in America and had long ago enjoyed the many blessings on Bainbridge Island.

As of this date, 1975, descendant families are still living on the same property. All four sons reside on Bainbridge Island and there are also  many grandchildren. Some of the married grandchildren have families,  which makes the now growing youngsters the fourth generation. Three daughters, upon marriage, moved away from the island. One lives at Leland, Washington, and the other two are residents of Los Angeles, California. In summarizing the number of descendants, there are 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Total of 40 members in all, 16 reside outside Kitsap County and the remaining 25 live on Bainbridge Island.

​Back to History.