During wartime, Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura worked at the Ford Agency and was the youngest mechanic at 17 years old. He recalls December 7, 1941, and hearing the news when he went duck hunting. Hershey was shocked and felt uncertain about the future…
Fukuhara continues his recollection of the time after the Pearl Harbor attacks, and his father being taken in by the FBI. Other than that, things would go on as normal until the Executive Order 9066 was signed. With just a couple days notice, he and…
Yoshisuke Jack Kunitomi discusses that when he was a child that he identified with being Japanese, but when he was older he identified as being an American. Next, he recounts his reactions to Pearl Harbor, his parents reactions, and the law…
John Togashi starts with a discussion on reactions at school to Pearl Harbor and the FBI interviewing his father. Next he describes the evacuation notice posters and his family selling its possessions prior to moving to the Merced Temporary Assembly…
Mr. Saiki focuses on the period leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack and discusses the period after his family was forced to leave their home. Among the topics discussed are Mr. Saiki earning his degree from UC Berkeley, the discrimination and…
Murakami discusses the unique aspects of her father while growing up such as asking for her opinion on world events. Next, as the Pearl Harbor attacks occurred, her family would discuss loyalty and the war, while the FBI would round up the Issei's…
Yoshida talks about her father's sports interests and his gardening job; her parents' laundry business; her mother's schooling; and her knowledge of pre-war Japan. She then talks about attending Japanese language school; taking kendo classes; values…
Yoshida discusses her grandfather; and her experiences visiting Japan with her husband and daughter post-war which included visiting cemetaries and learning about her mother's family. She then talks about her mother; her relationships with her…
Araki begins the interview with a short introduction and speaking about his time at the Japanese language school. Being born in Sacramento and then moving to Hawaii, he had a different type of upbringing than most kids in Hawaii. The kids would call…
Riess begins the interview speaking of the background of his mother and father and the international upbringing that he had. Being born in Thessaloniki, Greece, his family then moved around Europe and the United States until finally settling in…
Kuida discusses his schooling and education while living in Gardena. While a junior in high school, the Pearl Harbor attacks occurred which changed things for his family. Hours after Pearl Harbor, his mother was picked up by the FBI as a detainee…
Uesato begins the interview speaking about his family background, including his mother and father. Next, he talks about keeping up with the wars overseas and how unexpected the attacks on Pearl Harbor were. Living in Hawaii at the time, they were…
After the passing of Ray Mayeda's mother, Ray's father sent his two sisters and younger brother to live in Japan with their grandmother. Later, Ray's father and Ray went to live in Japan too. After living in Japan for a few years, in 1939, Ray…
Bright and Sam continue their recollection of the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Their stepfather would be taken in by the FBI and they had to continue working until they heard about Executive Order 9066. With that, they were forced to evacuate their…
Miyahara discusses the change of Japan during the occupation, including manufacturing quality items that turned into a big part of their future economy. As a welfare officer and member of occupational forces, Miyahara helped in the recovery of Japan.…
Fukuhara begins the interview speaking about his family background and his father coming over from Japan. At a young age, his mother would pass away, and his father would later re-marry. Growing up in Washington, he had a very diverse upbringing,…
Dan Uchimoto explains the meaning of his last name "Uchimoto" in Japanese. In Japan, "Uchimoto" means original home. "Uchi" means a kind of home, "Moto" means original home or basic home. Besides farming, Dan's parents have two additional businesses.…
Tsuneishi continues his recollection of his time working with the War Crimes Investigation Detachment in the Philippines. Next, he talks about members of the Army that ended up marrying local girls and trying to get leave to go to Japan to visit his…
Tsuneishi discusses more of his childhood including nicknames, Christianity and Sunday school. Next, he talks about facing discrimination, giving an anecdote of going to a barber shop and being asked to leave. After that, he speaks about Pearl Harbor…
Fukasawa discusses his life in Davenport, being followed by the FBI, and receiving his draft notice. He also talks about his basic training experiences at Camp Blanding. He explains how frequent illnesses delayed his deployment. Fukasawa talks about…
Fukasawa talks about his memories of growing up in Los Angeles. He discusses his family and how his father maintained a nursery. Fukasawa describes the Japanese community and Japanese celebrations. He attempts to describe the Los Angeles landscape.…
M. Oda talks about racial tensions in California before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She also talks about her family members that died while in Manzanar Concentration Camp. In addition there are anecdotes regarding: how her father acquired…
Tadayoshi Sugiyama discusses the two forms of citizenship. One by birth and one by bloodline. Although Japanese Americans are born in the United States, their treatment after Pearl Harbor shows otherwise. Tadayoshi says the FBI has a lot of…
Tadayoshi "Tad" Sugiyama is originally from San Francisco City, few blocks away from Japan Town. Tadayoshi's Issei parents come to the United States in the early 1900s and work at Tadayoshi's grandfather's restaurant in San Francisco, California.…
Sato continues his recollection of being an interpreter and interrogator in the Philippines. When arriving there, he would immediately notice the devastation and flatness that the war had caused. He talks about the children there seeing Japanese…
Sato discusses more about his childhood in Hawaii, playing football and track for Baldwin High School. He also talks about impactful people throughout his high school days. Next, he talks about the attacks on Pearl Harbor and how they had to black…
Miyamoto continues his recollection of growing up on Hilo, where his pidgin English was heavy and his normal English was inconsistent. After graduation from high school, he and his family would move to Kalihi on Oahu. It was there that he would see…
Togami begins the interview with a brief introduction and talking about his family background. His father came over from Japan and went to Colorado to farm, and after having an arranged marriage, would settle down in New Mexico. Togami talks about…
James Murata stopped attending Japanese Language School in high school to help his parents in the fields harvesting carrots. He discusses his obligation to help his parents in farming. If there were any family outings, the family would pay. Unlike…
Oda discusses how she met her husband and her marriage plans. When trying to get married, the Oda’s initially experienced discrimination due to their race, but eventaully got married at a YMCA. She then talks about her whereabouts during the attack…
Kitagawa talks about his life after high school, graduating and then working on the farm. During this time, two of his brothers would be drafted into the Army, one being part of the 45th Infantry and the other in the 442nd Regiment. Next, he talks…
Growing up in Pasadena, CA, Hitoshi G. Sameshima's favorite event is the Rose Parade. He recalls attending the Rose Parade at age four and has attended every year.
As a child, Hitoshi's knowledge of Japan is shaped by his parents and Japanese…
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…
Masato Yamashita's interview is with Lloyd Fujitani.
Masato Yamashita and Lloyd Fujitani recall hearing the news about Pearl Harbor on the radio. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, anyone who is a leader of a Japanese Organization is taken away by…
Maya Miyamoto was born on January 28, 1922, in Carmel Valley, CA. His father and mother were from Kumamoto, Japan. Maya's father taught him respect, how to get along with others, honesty, and do not shame the family. Maya said his parents wished him…
Uchimiya beings the interview with a brief introduction of his family and how they came to El Centro, California. There, he would begin his schooling, while working on the farm. His family would enjoy camping and taking month-long trips to San Diego.…
George Mitsuru Matsunaga was born on May 28, 1925, in Wailuku, Maui. George had many positive influences that shaped him during his informal educational years. At home, his parents taught him filial piety and to study hard. In English school and…
Ida talks more about his high school education at Mid-Pacific Institute in Hawaii, where he would play tennis and baseball. After graduation, he would work for the St. Louis Club until the attacks on Pearl Harbor occurred. He talks about seeing…
Yoshino begins the interview with his family background, being raised by his grandparents on Maui. Growing up on a plantation, he was quite the rascal, and would get into a lot of fights as a child, so he was taken in by the local boxing community…
Yasukochi talks about the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the effects it had on his family. His father would be taken by the FBI along with his brother and put into prisons for a few days, while his mother and other siblings were taken to Poston…
After the forced removal from Los Angeles, Teragawa and family were rounded up and sent to the temporary detention center at the Santa Anita race tracks, where they would live in a horse stall with other families. After a couple of months, they were…
Saiki discusses growing up in Stockton, California including working at his parents' restaurant, living in a hotel, attending kendo classes, and playing sports. He then recalls his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor, talks about traveling…
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…
Uno discusses why his family settled in Salt Lake City and his father's employment in the railroad industry. He then talks about moving to Los Angeles, his family's forced removal to Santa Anita temporary detention facility, and the reasons why his…
Kent Kajiwara continues to talk about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He discusses the FBI's attempt to arrest his father. He talks about his security work while working at Hawaiian Pineapple. He talks about enlisting in the Army. He…
Tanaka would grow up in southern California, helping his family work on the vegetable farm and playing with friends. During this time, the Great Depression occurred and he talks briefly about that. Next, he talks about his whereabouts during the…
Inada continues talking about his high school years, talking about associations with Daniel Inouye, who later became a Medal of Honor recipient and American senator. He also discusses the discrimination that was faced before the war, such as not…
J. Owada discusses his farm chores as a youth and events that happened to him and his family in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He talks about his father being taken away by the FBI and how he and his brothers did not have their mother…
Oye discusses the music and dance that she was involved with, traveling all the way down to Long Beach to perform. Next, she talks about her childhood home and the various things she was involved with as a kid, which included such things as skating,…
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…
Furukawa talks about his experiences and recollections regarding his draft into military service, race relations between Caucasians and Japanese Americans before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and his recruitment and training in MISLS. He also…
Fujiwara talks about his interview with the V.A. Hospital. He describes his first car. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He discusses his fathers life in Japan. He explains why the FBI arrested certain members of the Japanese…
Isamu "Sam" Saito recalls his school years. At school, the students are primarily Japanese Americans. The teachers had a hard time pronouncing the Japanese names. Therefore, many of the Japanese American students used English names for the benefit of…
Kumagai talks about working at a farm full-time after graduating high school, and discusses his uncle who was in the Japanese Army. He then talks about his experiences with discrimination; and discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath…
Tsuchimochi discusses the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor including talking about curfew, having to leave belongings behind during forced removal, and discussing Japanese American community leaders getting picked up by the FBI. He then talks…
Taketa talks about his college studies. He shares his knowledge of World War Two. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He shares his theories on the reasons for World War Two. He talks about his brother's military career.…
Oshita continues talking about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Although not seeing any direct discrimination, she talks about the FBI taking many of the Japanese and her future husband George deciding to volunteer for the Army. They would get engaged…
Takashima begins the interview discussing his family background, including how they became farmers in Chula Vista, California. He talks about various parts of his childhood from the small home he grew up in to the celebrations and values that his…
Kaneshiro continues his discussion on the start of the war, including various reactions from family and Executive Order 9066. After preparing for the relocation camps, they were first taken to Santa Anita race track where they would stay for a couple…
Kimura discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor; describes Japan’s airplanes and the Japanese flag; and talks about how his father was picked up by the FBI. He then talks about volunteering for the Army; his brother’s employment at Hickam Air Force Base;…
Muramaru describes a rice soup dish called “chagai”; and discusses playing football and his family’s store growing up. He then talks about his uncle in Japan, his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor, neighbors who were sent to Honoluliuli…
Sasano discusses growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii including his experiences in high school and what his neighborhood was like. He then goes on to talk about moving to Los Angeles and becoming a produce clerk, and his photography hobby. Sasano also…
Kuwabara describes life at Gila River Incarceration Camp including the living quarters, the types of employment opportunities inside the camp for incarcerees, and his experiences as block manager. He also talks about his reasons for volunteering for…
Kanda discusses his [father in-law] who was an instructor at Military Intelligence Service Language School (MISLS). He then talks about what life was like pre-war vs. after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Next, Kanda tells a story regarding his former…
Umeda finishes the interview talking about passing on his personal history to future generations. Next, he talks about the legacy of the Nisei and what they've done. After this, he discusses his thoughts of what freedom is, and what makes freedom of…
Umeda talks more about the aftereffects of Pearl Harbor, as the Army no longer accepted Nisei soldiers, they would be reclassified as enemy aliens. Shortly after, they would be forced to evacuate their home, taking their only what they could carry…
Ikari continues to talk about his work life before the war, getting his start in chick sexing and discussing the technique to learning whether a baby chick was a male or female at the hatchery. Next, he talks about being at Los Angeles City College…
Toke Yonekawa describes his work in a vegetable packing house after high school. During this time, the attack on Pearl Harbor occurs and he sees forced removal and arrests of Japanese Americans and experiences visits from the FBI.
Suehiro continues talking about his experiences during the attacks on Pearl Harbor and afterwards, including facing discrimination and seeing the Varsity Victory Volunteers at the University of Hawaii. Hearing about the 100th/442nd forming, Suehiro…
Sato continues talking about growing up in Fresno, including finding out that because he was Japanese American, he was only allowed to swim at the local pool at certain times. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, he and his family would be forced to…
Asahina discusses her father, his family, his immigration to the United States, his employment as a farmer, his physical traits, and his personality. She then talks about her mother's physical traits, employment, hobbies, and personality; and…
Yokooji discusses his experiences post high school including farming with his father, working at the Dole Cannery, and working as a carpenter for the Department of Defense. He then talks about the attack on Pearl Harbor and aftermath including…
Keegan provides background details of how he was assigned to train the 442nd at Camp Shelby. He talks about his impressions of the facilities at Camp Shelby and working with Japanese Americans. He also provides anecdotal information of his First…
Hirasaki talks about his father being picked up by FBI agents after Pearl Harbor bombing; and his father's experience in captivity. He also discusses how he became part of the 522nd battalion and his duties. In addition he shares recollections of:…
Taniguchi continues to talk about his community in Cortez, California. He briefly explains Kendo martial arts. He discusses day trips that he took with his father. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and Executive Order 9066. Taniguchi reveals…
S. Ozaki discusses his youth growing up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. He talks about his parents and family life; and school experiences. He also discusses his recollections of Pearl Harbor and the aftermath of being evacuated and the FBI…
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,…
In this video clip, Rudy Tokiwa talks about his many experiences with racial prejudice and discrimination against Japanese Americans. He talks about the time the FBI broke into their home the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and trashed his…
In this segment, Okamoto continues describing his family's assimilation into the community and the values and teachings learned at church. He also shares the activities and extra-curriculars he was involved in through school and church, as well as…
In this video clip, Tets Asato describes going to Japanese language school as a child. He also talks about the relationship with his siblings and family, and going to the movies with his father. He describes what his life was like when the war broke…
Kawamoto talks about growing up in Hawaii and his life before the war. He also recalls seeing the bombing of Pearl Harbor and his reasons for enlisting in the army.
Nelson Akagi recalls his thoughts on Japan and Germany leading up to the war. He also recounts his reaction to Pearl Harbor and the state of his family leading up to their evacuation from Lindsay, California. He details his journey as they head…
Peter Nakahara recalls his time training for the Military Intelligence Unit at Camp Savage, Minnesota. He also goes into details about the circumstances and whereabouts of his family while he was in training. Finally, he discusses more of his…
