Shimoyama discusses his father including talking about helping his father with his gardening business after school. He then talks about his mother and siblings; and recalls spending time on Hollywood Boulevard as a child and being neighbors with John…
Shimoyama discusses his time in Japan including talking about helping feed Japanese civilians; and visiting relatives and temples. He then talks about going to UCLA and working as a chemist after graduation. Shimoyama also talks about his wife and…
Yokooji discusses his nickname; moving to different Hawaiian islands as a child; and his experiences while living on Lanai including attending school, his childhood bicycle, and discussing a swimming accident that resulted in the deaths of his…
Nagano begins the interview talking about his family background and his grandfather immigrating from Japan to Canada. The family would enjoy success there but Nagano's father decided he wanted to pursue opportunities in California. He would move to…
James Iso describes his family history, including where his parents immigrated from in Japan and their settlement in the United States. He talks about his siblings, about his childhood memories, and about attending Japanese language school.
Besides attending primary school, James Jin Kobayashi attends a Japanese Language School. At home, he speaks half English and Japanese to his Issei parents.
James recalls the day of the bombing of Pearl harbor. He says it is regular business at…
During this portion of the interview, James Mitsumori gives a brief introduction of himself and his familial background. In addition, James recounts growing up in Pasadena, California and he recollects the segregation system that was in place at the…
During this portion of the interview, James Mitsumori recalls details about his adolescence and attending trials at the local courthouse. Moreover, James recounts his educational background and his recollects on his school trip to Japan, China, and…
James Murata was born on August 6, 1920, in San Jose, CA. James' parents were from Shimane-ken, Japan. James' father was a good father but passed away early. Before James' father passed away, he was a hard worker to provide for the family. When he…
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…
Oura begins the interview talking about how his family came from Miyagi prefecture to Honolulu, Hawaii. His father came to work at the sugar plantation, where James and his siblings would grow up with very little money and food but surviving…
Urata talks about the languages that were spoken in his family home and the lessons he learned from his parents. He describes the racial makeup of his community. Urata describes his experiences in primary school, Japanese language school, and high…
Yamate talks about his Japanese identity and values. He continues to discuss his religious upbringing. He talks about his experiences in Japanese language school. He describes the nature of his family's contact with relatives with Japan. Yamate…
Tokushige discusses his parents; talks about a typical day growing up on a farm; discusses his siblings; talks about his home's outdoor bathing area; and talks about his relationship with the owner of the farm. He then continues to talks about his…
Makino discusses his father and his employment; his parents' marriage; his sisters; and his parents market. He then talks about attending Japanese language school, speaking English at home, friendships, grammar school, and his neighborhood growing…
Ikemori talks about his early life in Hawaii. He describes his family's move to Japan. He briefly discusses his education in Japan. He talks about teaching Japanese language school in Hawaii. He discusses the languages spoken in his childhood home.…
Inami discusses his name, date of birth, and parents' prefecture origin. Inami's Father comes to the Untied States for more financial opportunities. He works on a farm and then opens a store. Growing up Inami sends his time helping his parents'…
Inami discusses Japanese Language School and holidays celebrated by his family. When Inami is an adolescent, he goes to Japan with his family to look for a bride for his Uncle. He recalls how his Father purchases the Grocery Store and owning a…
Fuyuume begins the interview speaking about growing up in Pasadena, being neighbors with Jackie Robinson, and his family background. Next, he talks about the activities he grew up doing, including playing baseball, piano lessons and helping out in…
Sato discusses his familial origin and description. He grows up in a farm community and discusses the Alien land law. He recalls racism pre-war and going into an American Concentration Camp after Pearl Harbor. He soon joins the military and is…
Joseph Ichiuji begins the interview talking about growing up in Pacific Grove, California, fishing and playing football with his siblings. He talks about facing discrimination in the job market and attending Japanese language school while also…
Ikeguchi discusses his experiences with prejudice; talks about his childhood friendships and recreational activities; and discusses school including his favorite subjects, involvement in clubs, and playing sports. He then talks about his goals for…
Kurata discusses his whereabouts during Japan's surrender; his father's immigration to the United States and employment at a sugar cane plantation; and discusses some of his thoughts regarding Japanese civilians prior to his assignment in Japan. He…
Hamanaka discusses his parents orign and growing up as an only child. During his adolescent years he helps with his Father's business after school and is active in journalism at school. Hamanaka recalls learning how to cook in Puyallup and making…
Asato begins the interview talking about his family background, including his parents coming from Okinawa prefecture and settling down on Maui. He talks about growing up in Paia, attending Paia School and picking pineapples at Maui Pineapple. He…
Fukushima discusses his birth and foster parents; talks about the reasons why he was adopted; discussing his brothers; and talks about his foster father's employment. He then talks about his step-siblings; his foster parents' personalities; attending…
Fukushima discusses V-J Day; talks about his worst war experiences; and discusses the lessons he learned from World War Two. He then talks about the importance of Nisei soldiers; provides a message to future generations; and discusses the importance…
Yamamoto discusses his parents and their immigration to the United States; talks about his father's employment; and tells some of his memories from childhood including his experiences during the Great Depression, working on a farm, friendships, and…
Yagura continues to talk about his experiences while in high school. He describes his experiences with discrimination in California. He discusses his parents decision to return to Japan. He talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath,…
Yamada begins the interview talking about his family and how they came to move from Hiroshima to Los Angeles. His father would work as a flower farmer while Kazuhiko and his siblings attended english and Japanese school. He would attend Gardena High…
Yamada discusses learning Japanese at a young age, taking Japanese language school, in addition to his regular schooling. He would also visit Japan with his family and see the farming community that his family came from. While back in the United…
Yamada continues his experiences in occupied Japan, including taking kendo lessons and the reform that was brought about. He talks about the things Americans tried to teach the Japanese such as equality, education and ethics. After his time with the…
Muto discussing his childhood including talking about attending grammar school and Japanese language school; discusses the languages he spoke at home; talks about his neighborhood and the Japanese community in Sacramento; and discusses friendships.…
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…
Kazuo Hinatsu begins the interview talking about growing up in Oswego, Oregon, where there were very few Japanese Americans and his family would have a farm. Next, he talks about how his parents came from Japan and settled in Oregon, becoming…
Mr. Yamane discusses his time attending Japanese school in Hawaii, including values and language skills he learned while at the school. Next, Mr. Yamane discusses his time attending English public school in Hawaii and what led him to travel to Japan…
Onodera talks about his youth and early adulthood growing up in Seattle. His mother was a Japanese language school teacher (father a plumber) and he had an uncle in the Japanese navy. He also discusses how his family got separated during the 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…
Hagino talks about his experiences in school including discussing influential teachers and going to Japanese language school. He also talks about speaking Japanese at home; his parents' involvement in the Japanese community; and his experiences after…
Kenneth Inada begins the interview talking about his childhood home and what it was like to grow up in Honolulu. He would be immersed in Japanese culture and ethics, watching Japanese movies and attending Japanese language school after his normal…
Takehara begins the interview speaking about his family background and growing up in Maui. During his childhood, he would attend school and Japanese language school, where he would learn kendo and judo. He would attend high school in Maui and then…
Namba discusses his siblings; and talks about his parents immigrating to the United States from Japan, his father's work as a farmer, and his mother's education in Japan. He then talks about traditional Japanese family values; his father's…
Sugamura provides some thoughts regarding the treatment of Japanese Americans; discussing her parents and her father’s employment as a doctor; and talks about speaking Japanese at home. She then talks about attending Japanese language school and…
Kawaguchi discusses his childhood growing up in San Francisco, California, including talking about going to school, his hobbies, religion and his involvement with the church, and going to Japanese school. He also recalls a story regarding the…
Nakao discusses growing up in Sacramento, California, where he attended Japanese language school, learned martial arts, and was a liquor salesman for Japanese liquor. He also talks about encountering racism during his time in the Quartermaster Corps…
Mori explains how his parents immigrated to America. He describes his earliest memories. He talks about his family's farming background and his primary school experiences. Mori discusses his families frequent moves. He explains childhood conceptions…
Mori continues to talk about Japanese language school. He discusses citizenship and sumo wrestling. He describes being drafted and inducted into the Army. Mori discusses basic training. He talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and how it caused…
Yatsu describes his parents and his experiences in school. He talks about the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He discuss the role of religion in his upbringing. He describes what Upland and Pasadena were like when he was young. He briefly…
Leo Morishita gives a little fun fact about his last name Morishita. Morishita means underwood in English. Before his high school graduation, on December 7, Leo is at the Japanese American Citizen League (JACL) planning on an early Christmas party.…
Lillian Aiko Inouye Matsudaira is born June 8, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. Her parents are from Senkaku, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. Lillian's father goes to school to learn English and open a restaurant in 1925. The restaurant…
In the first part of Mr. Mac Nagata's interview, he discusses his family history, and his father's military service in the Japanese Army during the Russo-Japanese War. Next, Mr. Nagata remembers the Sanger, CA community he grew up in, attending…
Miyahara begins the interview talking about his family background and how his mother and father came over from Kyushu, Japan and settled down as farmers in the Los Angeles area. Growing up in California, he was able to live a pretty full childhood,…
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.…
Kanda discusses his father including talking about his employment in railway systems both in Japan and the United States, as well as his father's automobile garage. He then talks about his mother; his childhood home; neighborhood growing up;…
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…
Masuda discusses his college years and marriage. He talks about Camp Roberts and Japanese language school. Masuda explains why he was transferred to Fort Sill. He describes how he trained Japanese and Hawaiian soldiers at Camp Shelby. He also…
Saiki and the interviewers introduce themselves. Saiki describes his parents immigration to America. He talks about farming. He lists his siblings. He discusses what he did in his childhood leisure time. He describes family meals. He explains how his…
Sakamoto talks more about the holidays he grew up celebrating, including New Years, where he would enjoy mochi and specialty Japanese foods. He next remembers time that he spent with his mother and father, including seeing his mother's home in Japan…
Oshita continues talking about the cultural celebrations that she grew up with, such as New Years, where they would eat traditional foods. Next, she talks about growing up in Hawaii, sewing dresses for dolls and the decor that they had in their home.…
Sumida discusses values he learned from his parents; talks about attending church and Sunday school; and discusses learning Kendo. He then provides some thoughts regarding race and citizenship; talks about volunteering for Military Intelligence…
Hayashi begins the interview speaking about his family background, being born in Denver and what it was like to grow up there. As a child, he would have the chance to live in Japan and would do so for two years, learning all about the Japanese…
Akiyama talks about growing up in the Pacific Northwest and moving as a child to eastern Oregon, Portland, and Seattle. He then talks about his father and his employment as a cook; discusses his favorite dishes his father cooked; and talks about…
Funai discusses his familial description and his Issei Father decision to come to America. His Father marries a picture bride and has seven children. Funai grows up during the Depression Era and World War Two (WWII). He describes how the factors of…
Doi begins the interview talking about the sugar plantation that he grew up on in Hawaii. He would attend Japanese language school while also attending Honokaʻa School. Next, he talks about his parents, coming over from Yamaguchi prefecture and…
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,…
Inouye discusses his father including his immigration to the United States; employment; and characteristics. He then talks about his siblings; his favorite subjects in school; languages spoken at home; attending Japanese language school; and values…
Masato Yamashita's interview is with Lloyd Fujitani.
Masato Mauch Yamashita is born on December 27, 1924, in Lodi, CA. Lloyd Katsuto Fujitani is born January 1, 1917, in Lodi, CA. Both Masato and Lloyd are with 442nd Company I. Masato, and Lloyd's…
"Masa" discusses growing up in Hawaii, with Issei parents and his siblings. He talks about the ethnic enclaves that developed, due to plantation workers. He talks about family life as his parents owned a general store. He also talks about political…
Hashimoto describes his travels across Hawaii for Judo tournaments. He talks about his memories of secondary school. He describes each of his siblings lives and careers. He briefly discusses his high school graduation and his college studies.…
Masuo Tsuda talks about his family coming from the Ehime prefecture in Japan, and settling in the Watsonville area of California, starting a farm. Masuo would grow up on that farm, learning how to farm while attending both english and Japanese…
In this segment, Matsuji Sakumoto begins by introducing himself and proceeds to describe his childhood home in Hawaii. He also discusses a variety of other topics, including school, his family, and different activities he participated in as a child.…
Miyake discusses his youth and adolescence in Hawaii, and how his mother's widowhood impacted the family. He also describes living in Hawaii before it gained statehood. In addition he talks about getting drafted in the U.S. military.
Kubota discusses his prefecture origin and his Issei parents coming to Hawaii from Japan. Kubota's Father is contact to work in Hawaii for a few months but ends up staying longer to pay off his Brother's debt. Kubota recalls his childhood and his…
Kubota discusses changing from 442nd Regimental Combat Team to Military Intelligence Service. Arriving at Camp Savage, the camp is surrounded by riflemen and explains the reason of racism. Kubota discusses language school, Language Officers and going…
Uchiyama discusses his childhood experiences growing up in farming community in central California. He shares information of how his parents immigrated to the U.S. from Japan and what it was like for him living in a primarily Caucasian neighborhood…
Minori Sueda talks about his family and early life growing up in Redondo Beach and Torrance, California. He also talks about feeling like a second class citizen as a Japanese-American and his high school experience.
Minoru "Minor" Miyasaki was born March 18, 1925. Minoru's father immigrated from Japan to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantation. Later, he moved to California to sharecrop strawberries and vegetables. Minoru lost his mother at an early age, and his…
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…
Mr. Tsubota discusses attending Japanese school and the role of religion in his household growing up. Forced to work after high school to help support his family, Mr. Tsubota was forced to forgo college immediately after graduation, instead working…
Tsuchimochi discusses his nickname; and talks about his childhood in Tacoma, Washington including discussing attending school, playing sports, and talking about the Japanese community and his involvement in community activities. He then talks about…
Fujikawa begins the interview talking about his family background and how his family moved from San Francisco down to Los Angeles with the changing of the crops. There, he would be raised as a Christian and attend Japanese language school. He talks…
Fujikawa talks more about growing up in Los Angeles, specifically about the time that he spent in the Japanese language school. In regular school, he would take an interest in sciences, such as botany and would face some discrimination throughout his…
Kamemoto talks about his father and the reasons why he immigrated to the United States; discusses his mother; and talks about visiting his relatives in Japan during his leave from the United States Army, as well as his post-war visits. He then talks…
Kawagoye begins the interview talking about his family and how they immigrated from Kagoshima to Los Angeles. It was in Santa Monica that his father would first open a restaurant, followed by becoming a gardener in the West LA area. Mitsunori would…
While attending regular school during the weekdays, Kawagoye would also attend Japanese language school on the weekends. He would be lucky to have some very impactful teachers during this time, and was always regarded as a good student. Next, he…
Hamasu talks about his parents, siblings, neighborhood, and his childhood growing up on a coffee plantation in Hawaii. He also talks about his hobbies, going to Japanese language school and elementary school, being a member of a future farmers club;…
Kodama begins the interview talking about his parents and how they came from Japan and settled down in Mountain View, California. They would become farmers, specializing in fruit, and help to run an on-sen as well. He also talks about his sisters and…
Kodama continues to discuss growing up as a Seventh-Day Adventist, having many restrictions such as not being able to go to football games or movies. After this, he talks about the holidays he grew up celebrating, including New Years and Christmas,…
Doi discusses how he got his nickname, growing up in Kauai on a plantation, working at a gas station, and playing sports in high school. He also talks about attending Japanese language school, religion, friendships, and the attack on Pearl Harbor and…
Ishikawa discusses growing up in San Jose, California's Japantown including talking about his parents; discussing childhood discipline and values; recreational activities; his childhood home; and experiences going to a public bathhouse as a child. He…
Nelson Akagi recalls his early life growing up in Lindsay, California. He also talks about experiencing prejudice as a child, family meals, and the Okies that migrated to the area during the Great Depression.
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…
Hashisaka begins the interview talking about his life, growing up on Kauai and moving to Honolulu and attending McKinley High School. He then talks about his family background, his parents came from Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan and would settle in…
Norman Ikari begins the interview talking about growing up in Seattle, Washington where he would fish often, and go to a baseball games with his father. Due to the Great Depression, his family would move down to Los Angeles, facing his first bout of…
Matsumoto gives us a thorough recollection of his family background and growing up in Hawaii. Next, he talks about being 17 and seeing Japanese planes fly overhead as he played football with friends, which a year later resulted in his volunteering…
The interview begins with Paul Yamashita talking about his life, growing up in Hakalau Hawaii on a sugarcane plantation. He would attend regular and Japanese school and enjoyed playing games with friends and pounding mochi on New Years. Next, he…
Peter Nakahara talks about his childhood growing up in San Pedro, California, to two Issei parents. He discusses the Japanese values imparted to him through school and family, his relationship to his parents, and his life before Pearl Harbor. This…
Hishinuma talks about his birthplace in Oahu, Hawaii. He explains how he got his name. He describes his family's poverty. He discusses his life on a plantation. He talks about his father's early life. He describes the Concentration Camps built for…
