Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 8 of 8, February 23, 2002
Masato Eddy Kurushima discusses the contributions of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) during the Occupation of Japan. Unlike the 442nd, 100th, and 552nd, the MIS wartime efforts are not well known because they were a top-secret unit. Eddy recalls an exhibition showcasing the contributions of the MIS. Afterward, the camaraderie of the 442nd and the MIS became unified.
Post-war, Eddy furthers his education and attends college to study art. Then he goes to a specialized school focusing on art. After he graduates from school, Eddy becomes a professional artist.
Eddy shares how he meets his wife, Mary Meri Kurushima, in Los Angeles, CA. They have been married for 52 years and have three children - Brian, Jeffrey (Carol), and Denise (Mike). They also have three grandchildren - Kyle, Dean, and Kacy.
For the future generations, Eddy does not want them to forget what has happened to the Japanese Americans during World War Two. He hopes what happened to the Nisei to happen to anyone else.
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2002OH0247_08_Kurushima
Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 7 of 8, February 23, 2002
Masato "Eddy" Kurushima discusses why the natives in the Pacific did not like anyone with Japanese ancestry. Eddy recalled an encounter with the Filipino natives and was mistaken for Japanese soldiers. Eddy says there was always a guard with the linguists for protection. Overall, linguists are treated well in the Pacific.
In the Pacific, there were cases of Japanese soldiers impersonating Nisei soldiers. Therefore, remembering the password is vital. Eddy also discussed acts of heroism in the Pacific. He recalls a Kibei on the frontline rescuing a Japanese soldier.
At the end of the war, Eddy processed the prisoners and civilians at the POW Camp. He shares the difficult part of being an MIS. After the Pacific Theater, Eddy goes to occupation Japan.
Going to Japan post-war, Eddy sees the destruction of the cities and the suffering of the locals. Prewar, you associate the Japanese people and the country with beauty. However, that has changed because of the devastation. Eddy was assigned to Sugamo Prison and the Zama Replacement Depot.
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2002OH0247_07_Kurushima
Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 6 of 8, February 23, 2002
At Camp Savage, Masato Eddy Kurushima learns Japanese to be am interpreter. He recalls studying late at night to learn the vocabulary and kanji characters.
Eddy also goes to basic training for eight weeks. His learns infantry training and weapons training. The reality of war sets in when Eddy is under fire at training.
While in training, Eddy had opportunities to go on leave and visit his parents at Rohwer, AR. Eddy discusses the irony of being Japanese Americans in camp and being considered white on the East Coast.
After graduating from training, Eddy goes overseas to the Pacific and arrives in Manila. Eddy's first assignment was at Luzon POW Camp. Later Eddy was assigned to help a First Lieutenant to question POWs. Eddy describes the difference of being an interpreter in the Pacific versus being an interpreter for his father growing up.
Post-war, the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) does not have an organization for Eddy to join. Therefore, he joined the 442nd Nisei Veterans Organization. Even after the war, he finds himself still translating and interpreting for others.
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2002OH0247_06_Kurushima
Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 5 of 8, February 23, 2002
In the six months at Fresno, the Kurushima family learns how to make the most of the situation in Jerome. Masato Eddy Kurushima says the barracks at Jerome are similar to Fresno Fair Grounds Relocation Center. He describes the living conditions and the effects on the nuclear family relationship. Eddy mentions his mother's philosophy of keeping the family together. Having the family together during camp is the most important to their family.
After the loyalty questionnaire, Eddy left Jerome in 1943 and went to work in Davenport, IA, for six months. Before going into service, Eddy visited his parents in Rohwer, AK. His parents were transferred to Rohwer because Jerome closed in April 1944.
Later, Eddy learned about the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) and volunteers for the MIS. Eddy goes Camping Savage and then to Fort McClellan for basic training. Eddy does his basic training with the Hawaiian soldiers and goes to Camp Snelling.
Eddy goes overseas to the Pacific Theater. In the Philippines, there are 20 linguists on a team. Eddy says the Kibei are helpful with reading and writing. The Kibei are similar to the natives of Japan.
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2002OH0247_05_Kurushima
Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 4 of 8, February 23, 2002
On December 7, 1941, Masato Eddy Kurushima was at the free market selling their harvest and heard the news about Pearl Harbor. Eddy was in shock and felt things would go back to normal the next day. The Pearl Harbor attack changed the lives of the Japanese Americans and questioned their citizenship.
Eddy's mother was concerned and wanted to remove any Japanese items from the house. Eddy helps his parents destroy Japanese belongings from their home. The following day after the Pearl Harbor attack, the FBI came to pick up Eddy's father. A few days later, Eddy's father returned home. Eddy experiences racism. Eddy's mother encourages him to continue going to school despite the negative experience.
When Eddy returns from Japan to the United States, he gradually starts to feel accepted. He did not have a connection with Japan, even though Japan was his ancestral home. Eddy recalls President Roosevelt's speech after Pearl Harbor. Eddy feels disbelief that the Japanese Americans are not considered citizens of the United States. Although Eddy's parents are not citizens of the United States, they acted like good citizens. Eddy's parents followed the law and are honest, hard-working people.
On evacuation day, the Kurushima family goes to Fresno Fair Grounds Relocation Center. They stay there for six months before going to Jerome, AR. Eddy describes the living conditions and the attitude of shikata ga nai.
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2002OH0247_04_Kurushima
Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 3 of 8, February 23, 2002
Masato Eddy Kurushima and his family go to Japan for a few years. During his time in Japan, he sees the country militarizing. After a year of recovery, Eddy's father decides to return to the United States earlier. After living in the United States, Eddy's father became accustomed to freedom and opportunities.
Eddy and his family return to the Imperial Valley after Japan. Eddy says he feels like a foreigner coming back to the United States even though he is a loyal American citizen. Living in Hiroshima, Japan, for three years, Eddy picks up the Hiroshima dialect. As a result, he has a hard time communicating with his peers.
In 1939, the Kurushima family moved to Fresno, CA, and attended Washington Union High School. At school, Eddy did not feel accepted by the other Nisei. Eddy mentions, his son experiences the same intercultural prejudices with his peers. In 1942 Eddy and his family were evacuated to camp.
After World War Two, Eddy goes to the Occupation of Japan in 1946. He recalls visiting his relatives and feeling empathy for them. Eddy describes Hiroshima before and after the atomic bombing.
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2002OH0247_03_Kurushima
Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 2 of 8, February 23, 2002
Masato Eddy Kurushima records his childhood through his drawings. He shows an illustration about his home life. During Christmas and New Year's time, the family makes mochi. Making mochi on special occasions is a Japanese tradition that Eddy's parents practice after leaving Japan.
Eddy says he always looks forward to the holidays. Another pastime Eddy recalls was going for car rides with his family. Eddy's father loves cars.
Living in the Imperial Valley, the Kurushima family shops at the general store and get gas for their family car. Moreover, the Kurushima family goes to town occasionally on Friday nights to watch Japanese movies. Eddy's favorite movies are samurais. Another reason the Kurushima family goes to town is to buy Japanese food.
Eddy looks forwards to the family trips into town. He explains the difference in demographics in the downtown and uptown area. Eddy interacts with other ethnicities at school, but in the country he socializes more with Asians. Eddy discusses the relationship between Salvadorians and Hispanics. Also, he recalls discrimination in elementary school.
Eddy does not share his discrimination with his parents because of "gaman." In Japanese, gaman means tolerance and perseverance. However, Eddy shares his experiences with his peers at school.
Eddy's love for art was encouraged not only by his mother but by Ms. Charles, his sixth-grade teacher. In grade school, Eddy already realized he wanted to be an artist. He discusses being Japanese American and being an artist.
In 1933, the Kurushima family went to Japan and stayed there for several years. Eddies show his drawing of himself with his siblings. Eddy feels he is not accepted in Japan or the United States because he is a foreigner in both countries.
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2002OH0247_02_Kurushima
Masato Eddy Kurushima oral history interview, part 1 of 8, February 23, 2002
Masato Eddy Kurushima is born on December 6, 1924, in Brawley, CA.
Masato changes his name to Eddy because of the confusion of his Japanese name with his sister's name in high school.
Eddy grows up on the farm and he describes his childhood and home life. Eddy's Issei parents are from Japan. Before coming to California, Eddy's father worked in Mexico on a farm and is fluent in Spanish.
At a young age, Eddy helps his father with interpreting negotiations and documents. They have a close relationship because Eddy understands his father the most. Eddy describes his father as a quiet, gentle, kind, and hard-working man.
Eddy also has fond memories of his mother. He describes his mother's life as a Cinderella story. Growing up, Eddy loves to draw, and his mother supports his interest.
As an artist, Eddy draws life on the farm and his family to illustrate his childhood.
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2002OH0247_01_Kurushima
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