The NakataConnection

History

• Jitsuzo Nakata by John Nakata for the Kitsap Historical Society 1975
• The Nakata-Loverich Connection by Katy Warner
• The Nakata Family Property by Wayne Nakata
• Family friend George Horishige recently passed away. George's family was from the same village that the Nakata family came from. Vern forwarded this family tree that George provided many years ago: At the top of the tree is Heishichi Nakata and his wife Katsu. They had two sons: Jitsuzo (Shima) shown on the left and Tsunekichi (Matsu). Children under Tsunekichi and Matsu (all girls, shown left to right) are:  Miyoko, Yasuko, Matsuyo, Hisano, and Soi. Soi and her husband had two boys: Takashi and Hisashi; and one girl Chiyeko. Soi's husband took the last name of Nakata to keep the family name alive.

Jitsuzo Nakata by John Nakata  

    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.

Crossing Oceans to Fulfill an American Dream by Katy Warner  

Jitsuzo Nakata left his home in Japan and arrived in Tacoma in 1889, Soon after, he came to Bainbridge Island and worked at the saw mill at Port Blakely. He saved his money and purchased a lot in Winslow--his, first step toward realizing his American dream. He wanted to go into business for himself and open a barber shop. Bit by bit, as he could afford it, he built his shop.

In 1906 he returned to Japan to get married and brought his bride, Shima, to their new home. The building, which housed his barber shop and upstairs living quarters, was located where the antique shop, "Sow's Ear", now stands.

In those days, Winslow was divided by a ravine. Nakata's barbershop joined a group of buildings which formed a thriving business district on the east side. There was a cafe, a bakery, a butcher shop and a hotel. Some years later, a bridge and then a fill joined the town together.

Seven children were born to the Nakatas. As the family grew, so did the building as Mr. Nakata added rooms. To support his family, he began a hand laundry along with the barbershop. He delivered clean clothes by skiff to customers at Wing Point as there were few roads. (Later, he got a horse and. wagon to make his deliveries.) To further supplement the family's income, he added a public bathing facility to his building.

John Nakata, the oldest son, grew up knowing Charley, Brehmer, the butcher, so it seemed natural for him to learn the butcher trade. After graduating from Winslow High School (site of Winslow Green) in 1925, he worked for Charley and later bought the butcher shop.

In those days, gross sales were about $50 a week. Hamburger sold for ten cents a pound but sometimes went on sale for three pounds for a quarter.

The Nakata children helped with deliveries, attended school, and played sports. All were graduates of Bainbridge High School.

Like dozens of Island youths, John and his brothers enjoyed playing baseball while they were growing up. 'There were six or seven Island teams and they played their game on a field where the Thriftway store now stands. Little did John know that thirty years later he would be in business with Ed Loverich on the old ball field.

The Loverich’s

The Hall Brothers Shipyard moved to Winslow in 1902. The following year, Tom Loverich, who was born in Lussin, Austria, came to work in the shipyard as a caulker. His wife, Christina, joined him a few months later and the Loverichs moved into a home at Wing Point. Each day Loverich walked the beach or rowed his skiff to work. Later, he built a home for his growing family next to the present Hockett and Olsen garage on Ferncliff Avenue.

In 1921, the Loverichs purchased the Winslow Dock Grocery store at the foot of Madison Avenue (where the steamer landed ) from J. Woods and went into the grocery business. The family lived above the store until they sold it in 1931 and moved to their new home in Hawley with their children Bill, Fred, Ed, Francis and Hilda.

When John Nakata needed ice for his butcher shop he purchased it from Tom Loverich. The five Loverich kids and the seven Nakatas have been friends all of their lives.

A Time of Change

In 1940. John Nakata tore down the old family home and barber shop on Winslow Way and built a new grocery store, the Eagle Harbor Market, on the site. The family, including John's parents, moved into a big old farm house built on a former berry field at Weaver Road and Wyatt Way.

Then World War II came. Mo Nakata and Ed Loverich went off to war. The Nakatas who remained behind were sent to Relocation Centers and eventually had to sell the business and property. Winslow was bursting at the seams with hundreds of shipyard workers, a huge housing project on Winslow Way and housing units on the old ball field. Like mothers everywhere, Mrs. Nakata and Mrs. Loverich prayed for the safe return of their sons.

Following the war, Mo Nakata and Ed Loverich came home. They went into business in 1947 as partners in the old Bainbridge Gardens store at Fletcher Bay. In 1952 after a ten year absence, John Nakata repurchased his former store in Winslow. The grocery store business, however, was changing. The days of the neighborhood store were coming to an end as people sought cheaper prices and greater selection. The era of the supermarket was born.

John and Mo Nakata and Ed Loverich pooled their resources and with the help of many Bainbridge Island investors opened the Town and Country Market in Winslow in 1957. On hand for the grand opening was former heavyweight champion of the world, Joe Louis. It was a "biggie" for Winslow.

John and Mo became managers of the meat department in the new store. Ed saw to the groceries. Bill Sutherland, Ed's father-in-law, was produce manager and John's youngest brother, Ken, was and still is in charge of the dairy section. Another brother, Jerry, joined the team a few years later.

The store grew and was enlarged. Now it is being enlarged again and will celebrate yet another grand opening Labor Day weekend. It is an integral part of the community and its generosity to the many organizations here is well known.     Now, a third generation is minding the store. A corporation headed by Don Nakata, John's oldest son, also includes stores in Ballard, Bellevue, and the Poulsbo Market Place.

John Nakata retired in 1972. Ed Loverich has "almost" retired. (Loverich, incidentally, was a prominent basketball star for the University of Washington under coach "Hec" Edmundson. Edmundson credited Loverich as being the first player to employ the one-handed push shot in making baskets.) Mo Nakata died of a sudden heart attack in 1985.

Mo's sons help oversee the Poulsbo Market Place--Larry as the manager and Ron, as it's produce manager. Tom Loverich's grandson, Wayne Loverich, manages the Winslow Thriftway. Also involved in the business are Rick, Jerry's son; Vernon, John's son; Christine, Ed's daughter; Janis and Glen, Ken's daughter and son, Brad Thompson, Ed's grandson and now the fourth generation, Tom, son of Wayne Loverich and great grandson of Tom Loverich, Sr; and Eddie, son of Ron Nakata and great grandson of Jitsuzo. We hope we haven't confused you.

Mr. and Mrs. Jitsuzo Nakata and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Loverich, immigrants from lands far away, saw their American dream come true ... not in a large metropolitan city, but in a small town called Winslow on Bainbridge Island.