Yokote begins the interview discussing what it was like to grow up in Placer County in California, which is a more rural area. His parents would come from Wakayama prefecture in Japan and settle there, having a small farm. After this, he discusses…
Yokote continues talking about his experiences in the 206th band, including raising morale for the unit as a whole and helping soldiers deal with the harsh conditions of war. After the war, he would return home and be discharged at Beale Air Force…
Momoda discusses about his family and growing up in Seattle, Washington. He details about his education, the business he ran and working in Alaska. Momoda also discusses about being drafted, basic training and his experiences in France.
Hitoshi Sameshima and Shigeru Hayashi begin the interview introducing themselves and talking about what it was like to grow up in California. They also talk about their family background and how their parents came to California, one ending up in…
Shigeru Iba is born on April 1, 1917, in Los Angeles, CA. His parents are from Wakayama-ken, Japan, and he has two brothers. During Shigeru's childhood, he helps his father in the nursery business. Besides attending primary school, he goes to a…
Post-war, Shigeru Iba he meets his wife, Toshi Beverly Iba. They have been married for 54 years and have three children, Gary, Glenn, and Alan. Glenn has two sons, and Alan has two sons.
In 1946, Shigeru and his brother buys a nursery together…
In 1948, Toshi Beverly Iba returns to the United States. She reunites with her older brother and helps him with his nursery business. Toshi also attends a Los Angeles Costume Design School and later graduates.
Matsukawa begins the interview with an introduction of what it was like to grow up in Salt Lake City, Utah. While living there, he would go to school and enjoy the playing sports. As it was the Great Depression years, his family would only have one…
Matsukawa talks about his family background, including his mother and father coming over from Niigata prefecture in Japan. As the terrain of Utah was very similar to Niigata, the family would end up settling there. Next, he talks about the…
After his war experiences in Europe, Matsukawa would head back to the United States, stopping first in New York, where he and a friend were determined to see the Statue of Liberty. He would head back to Utah and there, would decide to take advantage…
Shigeru Nakamura and the interviewers introduce themselves. He talks about his nickname. He discusses his parents immigration to the United States. He describes his father's career. He talks about a trip that he took to Japan when he was a child. He…
Nakamura describes his assignments towards the end of World War Two. He talks about his journey home. He briefly discusses how he reconnected with his family. He talks about his employment after the war. He describes his children and grandchildren.…
Tsubota discusses his family background broadly in great detail, including his parents and all of his siblings. He later speaks about his education and the lessons that he took away from Japanese language school.
Tsubota discusses a wide variety of personal topics, including his Catholic faith, memories traveling through Europe with his children (and their background), and meeting his first wife and his second wife. Lastly, he reflects on his experiences in…
Iwasaki discusses his youth growing up in Manoa Valley. He talks about his father's arrival in Hawaii from Japan; and his parent's devotion to him and his siblings. He also shares anecdotes regarding: family leisure trips; working on family farm; and…
Iwasaki discusses the end of his military service and his post-war life. He also talks about spouse and children. He shares anecdotes regarding: time in Europe, courtship with spouse, and Nisei veterans' legacy.
Takata talks about his early life in Sacramento. He also describes his parent's personalities. He discusses his siblings and his family's businesses. Takata describes what life was like in Sacramento. He describes his friendships and religious…
Takata revisits the death of his sergeant. He talks about returning home to California. He discusses using veterans benefits to adjust to normal life. Takata talks about his produce stand. He also explains how he met his wife. He reveals what he has…
Mukai discusses about coming, medal received, and his post-war life. He details bout his family and gives a message to future generations. Mukai also discusses about his on President Roosevelt and souvenirs picked up.
Kusunoki discusses about his post-war life and career. Mrs. Kusunoki discusses about growing up in San Fransisco, her family and schooling. She also discusses teaching Japanese to soldiers at the University of Minnesota.
Mrs. Kusunoki discusses about her family. She details her post-war life and what can be learned from the Japanese American story. Mrs. Kusunoki also gives a message to future generations.
Kusunoki discusses about his family and childhood. He details the neighborhood he grew up in and San Fransisco. Kusunoki also discusses about his schooling, Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and his experiences at Tanforan Temporary Detention Facility.
Saito discusses his parents and his father’s reasons for moving to the United States; as well as his father's employment. He then talks about growing up in Los Angeles; discusses his brother; and talks about his neighborhood growing up. Next, Saito…
Doiwchi discusses his parents immigrating from Japan and his father’s job working at Rafu Shimpo. He talks about his family’s ownership of property, attending Japanese language school and church, and discusses his interest in automobiles. He also…
Yamanaka discusses his parents, his siblings, and his father's various occupations. He then talks about growing up in Colorado, going to church, moving as a child to Los Angeles and Japan, and then returning back to the United States. He also talks…
Yamanaka discusses meeting his wife; his children; his involvement with veterans associations and reunion with E Company members of 442nd; and his wife's employment. Lastly, Yamanaka provides a message to future generations, and discusses some of…
Asahina discusses his parents background and his home life while growing up. He details about his early educational experiences. Asahina also discusses about high school and going to college.
Kimura begins the interview giving an introduction of himself and his family background. He was born on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and was raised by a man he would know as his brother, though he was actually an uncle. He speaks about his childhood…
Taketa shares his parent's immigration stories. He talks about his early childhood in Florin, California. He discuses his life while living in Marysville, California. He talks about his family's vineyard and how the Great Depression impacted their…
Taketa discusses a meeting he had with a reporter and other MIS veterans. He describes his family homes. He talks about his favorite foods when he was a child. He describes his mother's family and her personality. Taketa discusses his religious…
Taketomo gives an overview of his early life in Hollywood, his family and his school years. He also speaks about his relationship with Japan, his army service, and the discrimination against Japanese Americans. Later on, he describes the city of…
Taketomo talks about his wartime experiences. He reflects on how his children opinions differ from those of his generation. He gives his final thoughts and he describes photographs that are captured on video.
Akita talks about his early life in Hawaii. He describes his mother, father, and grandparents. He discusses what life was like on a sugar plantation. He talks about the Japanese language and Japanese language school. He briefly discusses his siblings…
Izumigawa discusses his parents including talking about his relationship with them and their personalities and physical traits; and discusses prejudice against people from Okinawa in regards to the Japanese community. He then talks about his…
Kimura discusses his parents; siblings; growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii; and talks about his father’s employment. He then talks about attending Japanese language school; discusses the languages he spoke at home; religion and attending church; learning…
Kimura discusses his best and worst war experiences and talks about the camaraderie among soldiers. He then talks about his post-war life including going back to school for photography in Los Angeles and returning to Hawaii where he had a photography…
Suga discusses his family's business growing flowers, his father's childhood in Japan, and his mother. He then talks about his childhood including discussing the importance of education and working;attending Japanese language school; and the…
Ito begins the interview speaking about his family background, including descriptions of his mother, father and the values they taught him growing up. Next, he speaks about school and what it was like to grow up in Hawaii. During this time, Ito…
Ito continues his reactions to the atomic bomb and the devastation of Japan during the war. Next, he speaks more on the war crimes trials that he was involved with, including cases that dealt with vivisection. While in occupied Japan, he was able to…
Takahashi discusses his family and what it was like growing up in Maui. He details about his educational experiences, Pearl Harbor and the its aftermath. Takahashi also discusses volunteering for the service and the events following.
S. Takahashi discusses his participation in the rescue of the Lost Battalion; he also reflects on his experiences. He talks about his opinion of the commanding officers, and what the morale of his unit was in the face of all the losses they endured…
Shigenaka discusses about his post-war experiences and hobby of barbecuing. He discusses his family Shigenaka ends the interview by showing various photographs.
Oye begins the interview speaking about her family background and how her father and mother began their journey to California. Once settled in Salinas, her family opened a parlor, selling candy and dry-goods. During her childhood, she was able to…
Nishimoto talks about his parents, religion, and his family’s businesses. He then talks about his siblings, the assistance his family received from a lawyer, and some of his experiences with discrimination growing up. Next, Nishimoto discusses…
Ota discusses his parents and their occupations, and talks about growing up in Hawaii including childhood chores, discussing his siblings, and going to Japanese language school. He also talks about the Japanese community in Hawaii, going to church,…
Satow talks about his post-war life experiences: marriage, career, descendants.He shares recollections of visiting his parents and siblings after his military discharge. He also talks about his activities in the Veterans of Foreign War and other…
Toyoda discusses his parents, educational experiences, and friends. He describes San Gabriel Valley and details about being an athlete. Toyoda also discusses about being a member the Scholarship Society, relation with his brother, religion, and the…
Yenokida talks about his family background. Both his mother and father came from Fukuoka and started a farm in California, where they would grow various crops. While going to school in Ballico, Yenokida would often get into mischief, sometimes…
Brian Imada (son) discusses about the Nisei and they where. He details about about his father's history. Imada also reflects on his father's service and gives a message to future generations.
Imada discusses about his family and schooling. He details about his childhood and career aspirations. Imada also discusses about the Japanese community, photography, Pearl harbor and its aftermath.
Tamagawa discusses prefecture origin and family. He shares stories of influential teachers and taking Judo at Japanese Language school. Tamagawa also discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, joining the army, and basic training.
Tamagawa discusses his post-war education and education. He details about getting married and has two children. He shares an experience with Japanese Prisoners of War. Tamagawa leaves a message for future generations and what was the hardest part…
Tokuda talks about his childhood in California's Imperial Valley. He describes his childhood home life balancing work and school. He also shares anecdotes regarding: his parents lives before his birth; race relations in his farming community; and…
Tokuda discusses his experiences in the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion. He talks about his duties a cook and his combat experiences. He shares anecdotes regarding: Hawaiian/Mainland soldier relations; getting injured; and how his service impacted…
Tokuda discusses his life after World War Two. He talks about his marriage and children. He describes discriminatory events he endured while looking for work. Tokuda also reflects on his war experiences and the legacy of WW2 Nisei veterans.
Hara discusses about his childhood, household, and growing up during the Great Depression. He details about his family, schooling, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Hara also discusses about volunteering for the Army, joining the Military Intelligence…
Hara discusses about his family and their history. He details about his experiences in Hiroshima and Japanese women. Hara also discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan.
Sugihara discusses growing up during the Depression Era. He details about his family and their background. Sugihara also discusses about his education and social activities.
Sugihara discusses the projects he works on for the Department of Agriculture. One of his successful project is the improvement of dry eggs. Sugihara meets his wife in college and they get married after she graduates. They have one daughter and their…
Kawahara discusses his father and home life. He details his childhood, hobbies, and life during the Great Depression. Kawahara also discusses his high school years and more about aviation.
Takashi Matsui begins the interview talking about his family background and his parents coming from Japan and moving to the west coast of the United States. At the young age of three, he would actually move back to Japan, where he would attend school…
Nakamoto and the interviewers introduce themselves. Nakamoto describes his early life in Palo Alto, California. He shares his parent's backstories. He lists his siblings. He talks about his parents immigration. He discusses his life on his family…
Higa recalls returning to Hawaii after being discharged from service. He returned home to finish high school, then became a butcher. He then returned to school to earn his accounting degree, after marrying his wife and having two sons. He presents a…
Ikeda discusses his family and his childhood in Hawaii. He details about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it. Ikeda also discusses about enlisting into the service.
Ikeda and the interviewers introduce themselves. He talks about his nickname. He describes his early life in Maui, Hawaii. He discusses his siblings. He talks about his childhood activities. He also talks about his parents immigration to the United…
Nakashima discusses his childhood growing up in Hawaii including discussing his community and gardening hobby. He then talks about his parents; childhood discipline; siblings; values taught by his parents; and attending school and Japanese language…
Kawakami begins the interview speaking about how he got the nickname "Joe" and his family background as his father was from Kumamoto and his mother was born in Hilo. He would attend school and grow up playing a lot of sports until the Pearl Harbor…
Kudo discusses about his family and growing up in Hawaii. He details about Pearl Harbor and volunteering for the Army. Kudo also discusses about his experiences at Camp Shelby, heading overseas, and arriving in Italy.
Kudo discusses about his experiences in the European Theater and how he received the Bronze Star. He details about his life after discharge and his family. Kudo also gives a message to future generation and discusses about his political career.
Teshima discusses his prefecture origin and familial description. He shares his childhood memories and visiting Japan prewar. Teshima is drafted and goes to Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. He goes overseas to Europe with the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Shintaku discusses his Father, Mother, and siblings. His Father is a share cropper for a Danish Family. Due to the Alien Land Law, his father is unable to purchase his own land. Shintaku faces discrimination at school and when he gets older, he takes…
Shintaku discusses about his experiences at Fort Snelling. He details about being chef in camp. Shintaku also discusses about his post-war life and family.
Tamaru discusses about a Military Police (MP) Officer and his assignments in Japan. He details about his family. Tamaru also discusses about growing Brawley, California.
Tamaru discusses about Pearl Harbor, Its aftermath, and experiences forced removal. He details about high school. Tamaru also discusses about his experiences at Poston Concentration Camp.
Arakaki begins the interview with an introduction and talking about how his parents came to Hawaii. At the age of two, he and his family would move back Japan and Taro would live there until the age of 16, when he would make the move back to Hawaii.…
Arakaki talks a bit more about his childhood in Okinawa. As he grew up in the village of Gushiken, he would learn folk songs, and play with his siblings. He would also take an interest in karate and learn bo. Next, he talks about the home he grew up…
Arakaki gives a little more background on his career work after his service with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would work as a carpenter before working for the a university as a custodian. Next, he talks about his family, including his…
Mr. Fujimoto discusses about his family message to future generations, and photographs. Mrs. discusses about about her family. She also details about going to Japan and her experiences there.
Fujimoto discusses about his family and early life. He details about his life after high school, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Fujimoto also discusses about forced removal and his experiences at Granada (Amache) Concentration Camp.
Fujimoto discusses about his experiences in Switzerland and coming home. He details about his experiences in the Army and his family. Fujimoto also discusses about his post-war life, receiving the Bronze Star, and the values he were taught.
Kurahara and the interviewers introduce themselves. Kurahara talks about his family trips to Japan. He describes the demographics of his Seattle community, including that of his high school. He shares his experiences with discrimination. He discusses…
Kurahara continues to talk about his combat experiences while in the Apennine Mountains. He explains how he was injured while in this mountain range. He also explains how he reconnected with his unit after he was infirmed. He discusses other brief…
Five photographs,presumably of Tsukiyama's parents and siblings. Likely representing celebrations-- Tsukiyama is adorned with several leis in one photograph. Two photographs are of his parents separate, taken from below face level (a common theme in…
Yano discusses his prefecture origin and familial description. Yano grows up in a rural community in Canada. As a young child his parents divorce and Yano and his brothers live with their father. He describes his childhood activities, daily routines,…
Shima begins the interview with an introduction and his family background, coming from Okinawa and moving to the Hawaiian islands. He speaks about growing up in Hawaii and the home that he grew up in. Next, he talks about Pearl Harbor and the after…
Nakabayashi discusses growing up in Riverside, his brothers, parents, going to Poston incarceration camp, high school, his stamp collecting hobby, and fishing. He then talks about getting drafted into the Army and his assignment, describes Riverside,…
Tateishi talks more about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii, including playing marbles and working at a brewery. He also gives more background on his family, such as his six sisters and the family he had that was living in Hiroshima when the…
Tateishi finishes the interview talking about how he met his wife and his family. After this, he gives a message for future generations to study hard and to be proud to be American and proud of the 100th Infantry Battalion.
Uratsu discusses about his parents, their personalities, and his childhood farm. He details about farming and some of his childhood activities. Uratsu also discusses about baseball.
Uratsu discusses about his upbringing, the values instilled in him, and religion. He details about his siblings, morality, and his high school experiences. Uratsu also discusses about December 7, 1941.
Oye begins the interview speaking about his family and how they came from Japan to Seattle, Washington. His father would work for various places while his mother would volunteer as a midwife to those in need at the Buddhist church. Growing up in…
Oye would be discharged from the Army after some guard duty in Europe and being shipped back to the United States, passing the Statue of Liberty on the way back. He would end up in Philadelphia, where he would meet his wife and begin his career as a…
Theodore "Ted" Mitsumori describes his family life growing up in Hawaii and his eventual employment driving a taxi in the Pearl Harbor area. Mitsumori shares his first-hand experience of the bombing of Pearl Harbor while ferrying civilians, women,…
