Presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:

At the Delridge Library: Join us for an interview with Mas Tahara, featuring fish-tales of the “Tengu Fishing Club.”

The “Tengu Fishing Club” was founded by one of several Japanese-American tackle shops located in downtown Seattle. One particular shop started a salmon fishing competition, later called the “Tengu Fishing Club” around 1936-1937. Fishing competitions like this were common at this time but the Japanese-American population wasn’t welcomed during the typical salmon fishing season in the spring or summer. They began their own tradition, with the distinct difference of welcoming any participants. Held during the cold winter months of November through January, each weekend of the competition would document who had caught the largest fish, and the ultimate winner was chosen at the end of the 12-week period.

Mas Tahara is a longtime Seattle resident and former University of Washington microbiology researcher. He chaired the “Tengu Fishing Club” for over 40 years and published a book about his experiences called “Tengu – Tales Told by Fishermen and Women of The Tengu Club of Seattle.”

Presented in partnership with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society as part of its Southwest Stories series offering presentations on the history of West Seattle and the Duwamish Peninsula.

Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome. Registration is not required.