Yukihiro discusses about learning the Japanese language and family correspondences with Japan. He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. He discusses his experiences at Santa Anita Temporary Detention Center and Rohwer Concentration Camp.
Yoshioka talks about religion and attending Buddhist church, discusses his sister’s name, experiences with discrimination post-war, and his whereabouts during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then talks about the reasons why he volunteered for the…
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…
Yoshimoto discusses the effects that Pearl Harbor had on him and his family. He also discusses about his time spent in the Army Air Corps before being reassigned. Yoshimoto details about the time he visited Minidoka.
Masatatsu "Mas" Yonemura discusses in 1941 he is in his third year of law school and works part time as a librarian monitor. Yonemura learns at the news of Pearl Harbor through a friend. Yonemura is in disbelief by the news of events. The following…
Yokote talks about his induction into the Army, getting his draft notice and heading to Presidio Monterey. He talks about the activities they did during their first basic training at Camp Grant, including inspections and KP duty. After this, he would…
Yokote talks about his musical background, getting a trombone at a young age and learning the importance and discipline of instruments. He then begins to talk about his time at basic training at Camp Blanding and the unit that he was a part of. While…
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…
In this segment, Roy Yokote focuses on his education from grammar school through his first semester of college. He also recalls the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the reactions of his parents and fellow students afterwards.
Yenokida continues his life in Cortez, California, speaking about how his family came to be farmers and how they purchased their property of nearly 20 acres of land. Next, he discusses the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent evacuation notices…
Theodore "Ted" Yenari discusses graduating high school in 1938 and being aware about world events. He recalls asking his parents to go watch a play about antiwar and writing a school paper on Manchuria.
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…
Yano continues to talk about his schooling, taking a history class and finding the Constitution and the way the Japanese Americans were being treated was unjust. He would end up throwing the book across the room and leaving the classroom, never to…
Yano talks about the values that were passed on to him from his parents, such as "gaman" and not bringing shame to the family name. Next, he talks about his elementary school, including the population, which was mostly caucasian. He would face a…
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…
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…
Nobuo "Nob" Yamashita is born September 28, 1920, in Los Angeles, CA. Nob and his family worked on the farm before starting a fresh produce business in Bell.
In 1938, Nob graduates high school. When his younger brother Ace graduates high school a…
Yamasaki begins the interview talking about how his family came from Japan to Hawaii. As his parents were born in Hawaii, he was a sansei, and would speak very little Japanese at home. His father would help to get him into a private elite school,…
Yamamoto discusses what it was like growing up on a farm. He also details what it was like growing up in Watsonville, California. Yamamoto discusses the aftermath of Pearl Harbor and his memories from Camp Poston.
Yamamoto talks about the bombing of his village in Matsuyama, Japan . He discusses his school's move to another location because of the bombing. He describes what it was like to be class president. He talks about continuing his studies despite the…
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,…
Yamada discusses playing sports in his childhood such as barefoot football, tennis and fishing with his friends. One holiday that his family celebrates annually is the Emperor of Japan's birthday and New Year (because of the food). They also sing…
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…
Mr. Yabu discusses his memories prior to the outbreak of the war, specifically focusing cultural differences he experienced growing up in a Japanese-American family. He also discusses learning judo from a family member and how his knowledge of judo…
Thomas Ukichi Wozumi is born July 24, 1918, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father Utaro Wozumi, and mother, Otsuru Yamamoto Wozumi are Issei from Japan. He has two older siblings, Mildred and James.
Wilson discusses his amily and childhood. He details about his experiences with veteran organizations. Wilsons also discusses December 7, 1941 and other world events.
Ray Wells's interview is combined with Julian Quayles
Julian Quayles joins the National Guards during his sophomore year in college. He is a part of Company B, 124th Infantry, 31st Division. Julian does his training at Camp Blanding. He describes…
Watanabe discusses his father's immigration from Japan to the United States and his work at a plantation in Hawaii. He then talks about his mother; discusses attending Japanese language school; discusses Japanese dialects; talks about attending…
Chiye (Hayashi) Watanabe, Seiichi Nakawatase, and Henry Hayashi recall celebrating New Year during their childhood. The families would get together and make mochi. New Year is like a social event.
Watada discusses his Father's personality. Synonymous with Japanese identity and values, there are responsibilities; however, Watada's Father different. As an Issei he speaks English and associates with younger people. This is culturally…
Ted Wakai begins with boarding school activities and discusses the Pearl Harbor attack. He then talks about his job cleaning Hickam Field after the attack and the reactions from the community and Caucasian soldiers to the attack. This interview…
Wada begins the interview talking about his family coming from Japan and settling in Redlands. He talks about growing up in the Redlands, having picnics, and only being allowed to go swimming after it had been cleaned. He grew up as a Christian and…
In this segment Uyemura talks about where he got the means to build his Ford Model T car and the beginnings of his service in the Army upon being drafted. After Pearl Harbor, he talks about his reaction to the attack, his family being relocated, and…
Following his time in occupied Japan, Uyeda was discharged from the Army and from there, he began schooling at MIT. Uyeda discusses the reform of Japan and the implementation of democracy by the United States. Next, he speaks about the discrimination…
In this segment, Rose Uriyu talks about her upbringing in Kona, Hawaii. She describes how life was simple in the small town where everyone knew each other. Her grandparents came from Komoto, Japan with Uriyu's mother in 1902. Raised on a farm, Uriyu…
Uriu discusses his parents, his father’s occupation as a farmer, school; and his family’s forced removal to Colorado and the living conditions there. He then talks about his childhood including discussing working on the farm, visiting San Francisco,…
Urastsu discusses about discrimination, gives he thoughts about Pearl Harbor, and gives a positive takeaway from World War Two. He details about he joined the army. Uratsu also discusses about his experiences at Fort Snelling and his voyage to the…
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.
Urata begins the interview speaking about his family background and growing up in Japan, Korea and Hawaii. As his father died when he was just 1, Urata would move to Japan for a short amount of time before moving to Seoul, South Korea to live with…
Uno shares his father's backstory. He talks about his father's career. He discusses his parent's marriage. He describes his parent's appearances and personalities. He talks about the land that his family owned in Japan. He discusses his mother's…
Uno discusses his childhood including talking about values, religion, his neighborhood, playing games, his siblings, friendships, and playing sports. He then talks about his family's forced removal to Santa Anita temporary detention facility and…
Following the Pearl Harbor attack, Shigetoki Tom Umeda does not know what happened to his family in the United States. In Japan, Tom focused on his work at Mitsubishi.
During wartime, Tom worked at Mitsubishi. Tom explained there were no…
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…
Umeda gives more background on his siblings, and what it was like to grow up on a farm, picking grapes and saving money to go to junior college. He talks about the other recreational activities he did with his siblings, including skating and swimming…
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…
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.…
Toshiyuki Uchida and Kiyoshi Kinoshita begin the interview with an introduction and background on their nicknames and families. Both were born in Washington and would attend school and Japanese language school, enjoying the outdoors. Next, they both…
Turner talks more about the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, and the formation of a provisional Battalion, that would end up being the 100th Infantry Battalion. He talks about the various local leaders, competing to be the commander of the 100th and his…
Turner talks more about growing up in Hawaii, including being a part of the boy scouts. After this he jumps forward and speaks about his marriage background. Next, he talks about his father, as he was in the National Guard and would be summoned back…
Tsuneishi discusses discrimination and civil rights. After high school he goes to University of California Los Angeles and major in Political Science and minor in English. Then he transfers University of Berkley for Asian Studies in 1941 when the…
Tsukazaki describes post-war Japan including talking about visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He then talks about the head of the Varsity Victory Volunteers(VVV) who helped raise scholarship money in Hawaii, his thoughts regarding the attack on Pearl…
Tsukazaki talks about his parents and siblings including discussing their education and employment. He then talks about his childhood and discusses playing baseball and fishing; and talks about his father’s writing hobby and learning Kendo. Next,…
Tsuji begins by talking about the New Years traditional film he would watch portraying the 47 Ronin. Next, he begins an in depth recollection of Pearl Harbor, from listening in on the radio to seeing the fire ball and smoke from a distance. He…
Tsuji discusses his family and background. He gives in depth descriptions and memories of his mother, father and 8 siblings. Next, he speaks about attending Japanese language school and the end of his classes, punctuated by the Pearl Harbor…
Tsuda begins the interview with a brief introduction of himself and his parents. After this, he talks about what it was like to grow up in Honolulu, living in Haleiwa on a pineapple cannery. He would enjoy attending Japanese language school and would…
Tsuda discusses playing football in high school and being named the team captain. Next, he talks about where he was when he first heard on the radio that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Due to the executive order 9066, he and his family would…
Tsubota discusses his family and how he obtained his nickname. He also details his educational experiences in both The United States and Japan. Tsubota discusses what it was like being drafted in the Army and his early military experiences.
Tsubota discusses his experiences and responsibilities in ROTC as a student at the University of Hawaii. Later, he talks about being placed on active duty and going through basic training at the time of Pearl Harbor attack. Last, Tsubota discusses…
Mr. Tsubota discusses his memories of the day of the Pearl Harbor attack and describes his subsequent assignments with 160th Infantry Division. He was eventually transferred to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas and talks about his experience serving as an…
Toyota discusses his parents immigration to the United States, his childhood and his military service. Toyota's Father is a trained as a carpenter in Japan and when he migrates to America, he becomes a barber and a farmer. During the Great…
Toyoda discusses today's Japanese American community and the future of Japanese Americans. He gives a message to Nisei veterans. Toyoda also discusses the night of December 7, 1941.
Tomita provides a definition of the term, "pro-Japan", and discusses his thoughts regarding being American. He then talks about recreational activities such as going to the beach and Kendo; and discusses childhood values his parents taught him. Next,…
Mitsuo Tominaga talks about the duties performed while in an infantry regiment prior to WWII. Next he describes the Pearl Harbor attack and what it meant to his unit. Lastly he recounts patrols along the California coast looking for a potential…
Tokushige tells a story regarding turtle soup he had in Minnesota; discusses his job with a printing company including talking about his co-workers; discuses trying to quit smoking; and talks about getting drafted. He then talks about going to…
Tokunaga begins the interview talking about his family background and his parents coming over from Japan and settling eventually in Washington. Growing up in Washington, he would enjoy playing sports with other kids, attend regular and Japanese…
Yoshiro "Yosh" Tokiwa is born on April 29, 1925, in Pismo, California. Yoshiro's Issei parents are from Japan. In Salinas, CA, his father is an independent farmer. Yoshiro has four siblings, three brothers, and a sister.
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…
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…
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…
Tochihara discusses his whereabouts when first hearing of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. As he had dropped out of high school, he was working and he would continue working until the very last second when he would be forced to leave to Puyallup assembly…
William Yoshito Thompson is a World War Two veteran who volunteered for the 442nd (Head Quarters 2nd Battalion). He is born March 15, 1924, in Hilo, Hawaii. His father is from Scotland, Ireland, and moved to Hawaii. He remains a British subject and…
Terasaki discusses his name, his neighborhood growing up in Denver, Colorado, his parents, siblings, and his father's import/export business. He then talks about his childhood including discussing playing sports, friendships, neighbors, food, and…
Teraoka talks about how his parents met, what it was like moving to Honolulu to attend high school, and discusses the boat trip from Hilo to Honolulu. Next, Teraoka talks about his participation in ROTC, attending the University of Hawaii, and his…
Teramura continues his recollection of his school years in Oregon, his favorite subject being math. He discusses some of the impactful teachers he had and some of the discrimination that he faced during his childhood. After graduating from Oregon…
Teragawa begins the interview speaking about his family background and early childhood, where he moved to Japan at the age of four with his brother to get a Japanese education. Next, he speaks about moving back to the United States to work at his…
Tateishi continues to talk about his whereabouts during the attacks on Pearl Harbor, including the weather during that day. He also talks about his various experiences in the war, starting with Anzio and moving up through Rome, where they would…
Tateishi begins the interview talking about how his family came from Hiroshima in Japan and settled in Hawaii. Growing up in Hawaii, he would attend McKinley High School and pick pineapples in his spare time, before joining the National Guard. He…
Tanigawa discusses about what his father experienced once he was arrested. He details about he final days in Japan and reflects on the time he spent on Japan. Tanigawa relates stories, such as how he found his wife and the one time he stepped into…
Tanigawa discusses Pearl Harbor and the aftermath from it. He details about what he did during the occupation of Japan. Tanigawa also discusses about his time after he leaves the army.
According to Willie Tanamachi, there are two ways Japanese Americans joined the military. One way is being drafted before the war. Another way is enlisting. Willie’s brothers Goro, Saburo, Walter, and himself served in the military. Unfortunately,…
Tanakatsubo discusses what it was like growing up being Japanese American living in California. He details how he ended up in MIS and his mindset along the way. Tanakatsubo also discusses his experiences on the Aleutian Islands. He reflects on the…
Shigenobu Tanaka shares his recollections of his parents, his life growing up on the sugar plantations of Hawaii, school, and his job working as the inventory manager at the Pahala Sugar plantation. He recalls being drafted and going through basic…
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…
Harry Tanaka discusses working in a Libby cannery during the summer time and at the University of Hawaii work for a professor. During High school, Tanaka thought he would pursue a career in engineering but he ends up receiving his degree in history…
Ken Tamura discusses his childhood friend Woody and their friendship. The Tamura family sells their farm in Oklahoma and moves to Japan. Before arriving in Japan, the Tamura family visits California and Hawaii.
The interview with Clarence Yayoi Tamayori is combined with Robert Tokuo Nagata.
Clarence and Robert discuss their employment after graduating high school. Clarence works at a lumber mill and Robert is employed at the Hawaiian cannery. Later,…
Tamashiro discusses about his family and childhood.
He details about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Tamahiro also discusses about photography, joining the Army, going to the Mainland, and experiences at Camp Shelby.
Tamanaha discusses his family and growing up on a pineapple plantation in Hawaii. He describes the community on the plantation and his school. He talks about the summers that he worked on the planation. Tamanaha discusses his family's property in…
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.
Seiki Tamae describes the attack on Pearl Harbor, his return to high school in Hawaii, and his feelings about his family back in Okinawa. Next Seiki talks about the 442nd and the feelings Hawaiians and Nisei felt about the unit and their battles in…
Seiki Tamae gives a broad introduction from being drafted in 1945, the Occupation of Japan and time in South Korea, to his post war life to retirement. Seiki then discusses his family and time in Hawaii, their decision to return to Okinawa in 1940,…
Takusagawa continues his discussion on growing up in Santa Barbara, including the impactful people that he grew up with, helping him to become a more rounded person. Eventually, this guided him to joining the school band, playing the snare drum,…
Takiguchi discusses his parents, siblings, and growing up in Kauai, Hawaii including talking about his friendships while living on a plantation, and recreational activities. He also talks about New Years Eve celebrations, discusses school, and…
At the University of Hawaii, Thomas Takemoto learned to speak proper English, instead of Pidgin English. During his time in college, he became acquainted with Hung Wai Ching, who was responsible for the creation of the Varsity Victory Volunteers. On…
Thomas Takemoto describes the Big Five law firms' political control over Hawaii's economy. Before the war, it was difficult for the people of Hawaii to find jobs, especially if they were blackballed by the Big Five. His friend convinced him to attend…
Takekawa discusses memorable teachers from his school days, playing sports, and high school activities including becoming class president. He then talks about going to college and studying to become a physical education teacher and his experiences…
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…
Sachio Takata was born on March 14, 1923, in Southern California. Sachio's father, Kizo, was from Kagoshima, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. He met Sachio’s mother, Hatsumi, from Hawaii, and they married. Sachio is the oldest of ten…
Takashige continues to talk about working during the Great Depression. Following the pineapple cannery, he would find a job as an elevator boy at Royal Hawaiian Hotel, eventually moving up to a position of bar boy. While working there, he would be…
