Try using another JDBC-to-ODBC Bridge.
The bridge that's built into the JVM is a proof-of-concept implementation, available as a last resort when there is no other way to make a JDBC connection. Sun documented this long ago, and Oracle hasn't changed that doc yet (so far as I've seen).
My employer, OpenLink Software, produces a couple of JDBC-to-ODBC [1][2] options, as well as JDBC drivers for several DBMS. All of these fully support Unicode data.
[1] Single-Tier JDBC Driver for ODBC Data Sources - http://uda.openlinksw.com/jdbc-odbc-st/
[2] Multi-Tier JDBC Driver for ODBC Data Sources - http://uda.openlinksw.com/jdbc-odbc-mt/
I hope this helps future seekers, even if it's too late for you, Howard!
Be seeing you,
Ted
OpenLink Support