Tobey Ishii-Anderson
"Be careful of what you say. That one has big ears!" her aunties would say. Tobey Ishii-Anderson was an avid listener to stories about life in the internment camps during WWII. Ever since her Japanese grandmother uttered the words "Mukashi, mukashi... a long time ago," she has been held captive in the world of stories. She loved hearing the folktales from Japan retold at family gatherings. From listener to being the teller of stories, she has carried on this family tradition. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia and teaching overseas for 40 years, Tobey has trekked in numerous countries throughout Asia and Europe. She has had the fortunate opportunity to gather stories from diverse cultures and turning them into adventures. Her folktales and personal stories takes one to the mystical lands of Asia as well as stories of her family and their time in the internment camps during WWII. Storytelling has captivated her after moving back to the United States. She has been sharing stories to listeners of all ages in Olympia, Washington where she calls home.
Living in the Pacific Northwest has enabled Tobey to collect fish stories as she fly fishes her way through the pristine rivers. Her fishing stories have been published in the Northwest Sportsman magazine. She has been a member of the Asian American Storytellers in Action for three years. This group celebrates diversity, equality and respect for communities through stories. Tobey is also on the board of the South Sound Story Guild in Olympia which sponsors the yearly storytelling retreat Fanning the Embers. Experiencing various genres of story has widened her view as she fosters multicultural awareness and sensitivity during these interesting times.
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