Growing up, Don Seki attended Japanese language school and took Kendo classes. He talks about how he used to walk around barefoot all the time in Hawaii. After volunteering to join the U.S. Army, he was shipped to Camp Shelby for basic training. He…
Harry Akune describes how "victim mentality" affected his search for accounting positions after college. He describes what being American means to him and suggests all Japanese Americans need to embrace the rights of American citizenship. He…
During this part of the interview; James Mitsumori picks up mid-story in regards to a correction to one of his previous statements about Japanese koseki tohon. In addition, James discusses his involvement in the community, as well as the start of…
Paul Matsumoto gives his personal introduction, along with details regarding his familial makeup. Paul discusses his early childhood, adolescence, and early education. Next, Paul gives additional information regarding his adolescence, his early…
In this segment, Frank Kimura introduces himself and his hometown of Fresno. He also talks about his family and how his parents' had a difficult journey to the United States. As Kimura talks about his family and growing up on a farm, we learn he is…
Fujimori discusses meeting his wife. He talks more about practicing Judo, and what it meant to be Japanese American. At the end of this section, he talks of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In this video clip, Tets Asato describes his Issei parents, growing up on a farm in El Monte, California, and growing up in a Japanese household. He talks about his childhood - friends, school, playing sports, etc. - and about his mother's passing.
During this portion of the interview, Henry Nakada offers details in regards to his military experience, namely, basic training and being transferred from Fort Sheridan to Camp Shelby. In addition, Henry discusses the tensions between Hawaiian and…
During this portion of the interview, Henry Nakada gives details regarding his brother's military experience and most importantly, how his mother dealt with having seven boys serving in the military. Next, Henry offers a great amount of detail…
During this portion of the interview, Thomas Haga talks about his experience moving to Arizona to be with his children. Next, we hear about the medals and honors that Thomas received in honor of his military service. From here, Thomas discusses the…
In this segment, Sadami "James" Okada begins by speaking about the pumping stations that he previously worked while growing up in Hawaii. After that, he recalls seeing a friend from Hawaii while serving overseas in New Guinea. For the remainder of…
In this video clip, Genro Kashiwa talks about his childhood. As the son of a Buddhist priest, he was responsible for completing various chores around the Buddhist temple and during services. He describes what it was like growing up in a traditional…
In this video clip, Yoshiaki Fujitani continues to talk about his time at McKinley High School. The teachers at McKinley made a positive impact on his life, even encouraged him to take public speaking classes. He describes his identification as a…
In this segment, Tsuneo "Cappy" Harada discusses some memories and highlights from his work as a part of the Allied occupation forces in Japan in addition to his career as a sports executive. Harada also shares a message meant for future generations…
Thomas Takemoto was born in Waimea, Kauai, but moved to Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 6. His parents were Japanese immigrants from Hiroshima, Japan, and became rice farmers on Kauai. When they moved to Honolulu, Thomas and his siblings helped their…
In this video clip, Mary Yamada shares some newspaper clippings about herself becoming the first Japanese American teacher eligible to teach at public schools. She also shares some photographs of herself in her Army Nurse's uniform, her…
Kazuo Yamaguchi was born and raised in New York. His father came to America from Japan to start a living. Kazuo mentions that his father was always homesick, and his fondest memory with him was singing Japanese folk songs. The reason how he and his…
Kazuo Yamaguchi describes the difference between the attitudes of East Coasters and West Coasters in regards to the term "shikata ga nai." He talks about the way he grew up influenced by the Asian American stereotype in school -- good student,…
Yukio Kawamoto continues to talk about some of his personal photographs. He also describes the first meeting with his uncle in Japan during the occupation. He hopes that future generations will continue to contribute to America's melting pot.
Senator Daniel Inouye describes how his parents and their families came from Japan to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. His parents were brought up very differently with his mother growing up an orphan within an adoptive Hawaiian Methodist…
Kimura discusses how both the Japanese citizenry and Nisei soldiers worked to make Occupied Japan successful. He talks about the value of Nisei and Kibei being participants. He also talks about the cultural resilience of Japan.
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…
James Iso describes the values that he learned from his family, about the Japanese culture and traditions. He talks about the difference between Japanese American assimilation into American society compared to other Asian American cultures, and…
James Iso describes growing up as a Japanese American, and his experiences with racial discrimination. He recalls the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the effects it brought within his life and the community.
Okada discusses his experiences shortly before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor.He talks about giving up his independent gardening business for a job as a civil service worker. He also talks about how Executive Order 9066 impacted him and his…
Saiki discusses his experiences being a Hawaii Territorial Guard after Pearl Harbor attack and how he enlisted in the 442 Regiment after he declined joining the Varsity Victory Volunteers. He talks about how his family reacted to his enlisted. He…
Foote discusses his experiences after the Gothic Line surrender: taking in German troops as prisoners of war (POWs); duties after European surrender. He gives particular detail on the various minefields he and his troop encountered. He also mentions…
R. Honbo talks about his experiences and thoughts regarding race relations in American society. He shares his observations and feelings regarding African Americans and Caucasians. He also talks about his children's' interracial marriages, and the…
Mitsunaga discusses his childhood growing up on a family-run dairy farm in Manoa Valley, Hawaii. He talks about farming and his adolescence. He also talks about his experiences being drafted before the Pearl Harbor attack and the U.S. military…
Hirose discusses his birth date and being born in San Pedro, California. Growing up he lives in Rolling Heights, California near the Peninsula. Part of his childhood activities includes fishing and skin diving. He recalls one incident with blue…
Mitsugi Kasai describes growing up with his mother and stepfather in Idaho where he went to Japanese language school, played sports, earned money doing odd jobs.
G. Koshi discusses awards he received from the Japanese government for his work during the American occupation. He also talks about his life after military service, and returning to America. In addition, he talks about his children and descendants.
T. Ono discusses reflections on the Pearl Harbor attack and how it affected morale of the Japanese community in Hawaii. He shares his thoughts on: patriotism; military duty; and camaraderie. He also talks about the U.S. motivation on forming the…
Oda discusses growing up in Portland, Oregon circa 1920-1940. He shares memories from youth and adolescence. Oda also talks about how his parents settled in Portland and his father's business dealings.
Kawamoto discusses his post-war life: family life and employment. He talks about the lives of his children. He also discusses his longevity. He concludes with a message to future generations.
Mr. Tsubota introduces himself and discusses his parents background and what brought them to settle in Kent, Washington. There was a strong Japanese community in Kent, and Mr. Tsubota talks about the various cultural activities his family took part…
Robert Sato begins the interview talking about his family and how they came from Kagoshima prefecture in Japan and settled in Washington state. He gives more in depth background on his father and mother, telling of the discipline they had, the foods…
Oda talks reflects on the totality of her Japanese ancestry and the race discrimination she endured in her youth. She also talks politics regarding America and East Asia. In addition, she talks about the legacy of World War 2.
Yukio Okutsu describes growing up in his village and learning about Japanese history and values. He also talks about changes following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
"Masa" discusses his military training at Fort Hood (Texas) and how went to Europe. He shares his experiences in New York City for furlough before deployment. He also talks about his combat experiences in Europe and how his life fair after his…
Left photograph: 1945. Baby Christine playing on her toy lawnmower on the lawn outside of what seems to be the Ushiyama family home; Right photograph: Betty against the side of brick building.
In the first part of Herbert Yanamura's interview, he talks about growing up as a Nisei in the farming community of Kona, Hawaii, his father's emphasis on learning the Japanese language, and his pre-war life. Yanamura also recounts the bombing of…
Mr. Mitsui introduces himself, discusses his family's background, and describes his childhood growing up in the small mountain town of Skykomish, Washington. Mr. Mitsui describes his connection to the Japanese culture and the role that isolation…
John Togashi starts the interview by talking about his childhood in Modesto, California, and discusses his parents occupations. Next he talks about the tensions between Japan and the US before Pearl Harbor, and then the attack on Pearl Harbor. Lastly…
Mitsuo Tominaga begins the interview by recounting his childhood experiences with family and school mates. Next he discusses his American identity growing up in a community that was mostly Caucasian. Lastly he talks about volunteering for the Army…
Mitsuo Tominaga describes his personal feelings about WWII and serving during the war. Next he recounts some post war racial discrimination and meeting family in Japan. Lastly he discusses the immigrant experience in America and the importance of…
James McNaughton discusses the risks the Nisei took in fighting during WWII, and the advantages of having Nisei linguists during the occupation of Japan. Next, he describes researching information for his official history, and helping to research…
George Aratani continues his discussion on the keys to his business success, and then talks about the Military Intelligence Service Language School students. Next, he talks about his various philanthropic work in the Japanese American community.…
Sakaye Aratani begins the interview by giving background information about her parents, and her childhood years growing up in Gardena and Los Angeles, California. Next, she describes life in Poston Concentration Camp and meeting, dating, marriage,…
Kazuo Komoto discusses his high school life in Japan and witnessing the increasing militarism of the Japanese society during the conflict in Manchuria. Next, he talks about not feeling attached to the Japanese society and wanting to return to the…
Kazuo Komoto talks about performing guard duty over an aircraft plant in California, and how a newspaper picture of Nisei's guarding the plant created some issues with the local community. Next, he discusses his transfer to Camp Savage and the…
Kazuo Fujii begins the interview with background information on his family, and his early childhood being influenced by his primary school teachers. Next, he describes having to work hard on the family farm, and then taking it over after graduating…
Top left photograph of Japanese American girl, Tamaki, walking away from the camera in the city. Top right and bottom left photographs of a group of Japanese American girls in graduation cap and gown. Bottom right photograph of Japanese American…
First (top) three photographs taken at a beach in Santa Barbara. Bottom two photographs of "Treasure Island," one of a group of Japanese Americans aboard a boat, and the second photograph is a view of the boat on the lake, taken from the shore.
Group photograph of four Japanese American young men laying out on the beach, with an amusement park located in the background. The amusement park is identified as being located in Long Beach, California. Bottom left photograph of Mary Yamamoto…
Top left photograph shows a Japanese American girl standing next to two snowmen. Top right and bottom left photographs depict a Japanese American girl, "Marty", in formal attire standing next to a brick building. Bottom right photograph is of three…
Top left photograph of Mary Yamamoto Shimizu and friends at the beach. Top middle and right photograph depict three Japanese American women riding bicylces. Middle left photograph of young woman at the beach, and middle right photograph of Mary…
Two of the three photographs depict Japanese American teenagers equipped in tennis gear. Bottom photograph of Mary Yamamoto Shimizu in the back of a truck at Heart Mountain incarceration camp.
Top left photograph of young man in military casuals, addressed to Mary Yamamoto Shimizu. Top right photograph of Mary Yamamoto Shimizu. Bottom left photograph of Yamamoto Shimizu with three friends in Denver. Bottom right photograph of Yamamoto…
Top and middle photographs of Mary Yamamoto Shimizu. Bottom two photographs are portraits of George Shimizu when he was stationed in Mindanao, Philippines during World War II.
Top two photographs taken at Smith College. Top left photograph is of Mary Yamamoto Shimizu with George Shimizu, and the top right photograph is of a Japanese American couple who are friends of Mary and George. Bottom two photographs are of George…
Letter from E. M. Almond, Major General, United States Army, to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, expressing appreciation for their part in the Fifth Army offensive. The offensive took place from March 26 to May 2, 1945 against the German Gothic Line…
General Orders from the Headquarters of the 92nd Infantry Division awarding a Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, and Bronze Stars to various enlisted men, including a Bronze Star to Paul William Nishimuta.
Letter from J. E. Wood, Brigadier General, United States Army, to Paul Nishimuta, awarding him the Bronze Star. The letter describes Nishimuta's heroic achievement in action on April 21, 1945 in Italy.
Photograph album page with photographs of a World War Two soldiers in what is likely Italy, along with portraits of women and a photograph of a dog near tents.
Photograph album page with photographs of a World War Two soldiers in Bellagio and Villa d'Este, Italy, where there was a Fifth Army rest camp. Photographs include World War Two soldiers on boats and lake landscapes.
Photograph album page with photographs of World War Two soldiers departing Livorno (Leghorn), Italy in July 1946. Includes pictures of World War Two soldiers boarding the boat.
Photograph album page with photographs of World War Two soldiers departing Livorno (Leghorn), Italy in July 1946. Includes pictures of the ocean and World War Two soldiers on the boat.
Photograph album page with photographs of World War Two soldiers arriving in New York City in July 1946. Includes pictures of the ocean, airplanes, and World War Two soldiers on the boat.
Photograph album page with photographs of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team Parade in Washington, D.C., including pictures of the White House and the parade going by the U. S. Capitol building and the Washington Monument.
