Shelly Solomon Presents Shellfish Stories on Screen – Ebb and Flow

About the Show Shellfish Stories on Screen – Join us for a viewing of Ebb and Flow – a Japanese family, an oyster, and how they influenced Pacific NW History followed by an oyster tasting experience! This afternoon event is perfect for anyone who loves savoring oysters and learning the rich history behind them. Ebb and Flow follows 93-year-old Jerry (Eiichi) Yamashita’ recounting of the family history to his adult son, Patrick, on their shellfish tidelands. Relying on Jerry’s incredible memory and rare archival footage, a window is opened onto the Yamashita family’s journey beginning with his father Masahida’s arrival in Seattle in 1900. Son Patrick learns of the important role his family has played in modern West Coast history. In fact, his grandfather is now being recognized for his pivotal role in saving the Pacific Northwest shellfish farming industry from complete collapse in the 1930s by developing a reliable method of importing Japanese Oyster seed. Today, this immigrant oyster now known as the Pacific Oyster is considered the premier oyster by top chefs, is the largest shellfish industry in the U.S., and is grown from Alaska to Baja. The Yamashitas’ story is an inspiring one and, at the same time, a cautionary tale about how a society can turn against its immigrants in challenging times, a story as relevant today as ever.