(William Toshio Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was interviewed individually on November 14, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their own family history interviews. Individually and jointly, they and other family members had written and gathered material documenting their family history. They shared much of this with me to assist with research and preparation for the Densho interview. Mitsuye's daughter Jeni had coordinated much of the family history work. Jeni participated as a secondary interviewer during the group sessions, October 8-9, 2002.The group interview sessions were conducted in Seattle at the home of Tom Ikeda, executive director of Densho. The oldest Yasutake sibling, Reverend Seiichi Michael Yasutake, had passed away less than a year before the Densho interviewing, in December, 2001. The remaining siblings emphasized that his absence left a gap in their discussion of family history. In addition to Jeni Yamada and videographers Dana Hoshide and John Pai, also present during some portions of the group interview were Tom Ikeda, and Mitsuye Yamada's son Kai Yamada.)","extent":"04:04:06","links_children":"ddr-densho-1000-138","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":131,"namepart":"Tosh Yasutake"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Alice Ito"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Tom Ikeda"},{"role":"videographer","namepart":"Dana Hoshide"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Densho","rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"Seattle, Washington","creation":"November 14, 2002","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Tosh Yasutake narrator \nAlice Ito interviewer \nTom Ikeda interviewer \nDana Hoshide videographer","download_large":"denshovh-ytosh-01-a.jpg"},{"id":"181","model":"narrator","index":"10 1210/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/181/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/181/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/hmae.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/hmae.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/181/interviews/"},"display_name":"Mae Kanazawa Hara","bio":"Nisei female. Born May 21, 1913, in Seattle, Washington. Spent childhood in Seattle before moving to Chicago, Illinois, for three years to study music. Taught music in Japan for four years before returning to Seattle. After the outbreak of World War II, removed to Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Left camp with husband for Chicago, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin. Raised a family in Madison, and remained actively involved in Methodist church activities and music program."},{"id":"1053","model":"narrator","index":"11 1211/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/1053/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/1053/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-densho-1000-538_narr.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-densho-1000-538_narr.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/1053/interviews/"},"display_name":"Shiz Inaba","bio":"Nisei female. Born September 19, 1929, in Portland, Oregon. Grew up in Milwaukie, Oregon, where parents ran a farm. During World War II, removed to the Portland Assembly Center, Oregon, and the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. After leaving camp, returned to Oregon and parents ran a hotel business in Portland. Went to business school and worked for an insurance company before meeting future husband and getting married. Raised a family and worked on the family farm, Inaba Produce Farms."},{"id":"1063","model":"narrator","index":"12 1212/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/1063/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/1063/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-phljacl-1-10_narr.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-phljacl-1-10_narr.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/1063/interviews/"},"display_name":"Chiyo Koiwai","bio":"Nisei female. Born June 11, 1919, in Tacoma, Washington. Grew up in Tacoma where family ran a hotel. Was studying to be a nurse when World War II broke out, so lobbied to be sent to the Puyallup Assembly Center, separate from parents, in order to stay in Washington state to finish training. After Puyallup, sent to the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. After leaving camp, lived and worked in St. Louis, Missouri, before eventually settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."},{"id":"761","model":"narrator","index":"13 1213/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/761/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/761/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/myoji.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/myoji.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/761/interviews/"},"display_name":"Yoji J. Matsushima","bio":"Nisei male. Born January 31, 1933, in Portland, Oregon. Grew up in Portland, where parents ran a general merchandise store. During World War II, removed to the Portland Assembly Center, Oregon, and the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Left camp for the East Coast because parents wanted to repatriate to Japan. Did not secure a place on the USS Gripsholm, so remained in the United States and went to the Crystal City internment camp, Texas. After the war, returned to Portland."},{"id":"150","model":"narrator","index":"14 1214/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/150/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/150/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/sbetty.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/sbetty.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/150/interviews/"},"display_name":"Betty Morita Shibayama","bio":"Nisei female. Born May 30, 1933, in Hood River, Oregon. Raised in the Hood River valley on family farm. After December 7, 1941, removed to the Pinedale Assembly Center, California, and then to the Tule Lake concentration camp, California. In 1943, moved with family to the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, before leaving camp for Chicago, Illinois, after the war. Married Art Shibayama, a Japanese Peruvian, and raised a family in Chicago, Illinois and San Jose, California. Involved in lobbying congresspeople in Washington, D.C., on behalf of Japanese Latin Americans and their fight for redress."},{"id":"664","model":"narrator","index":"15 1215/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/664/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/664/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/swarren.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/swarren.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/664/interviews/"},"display_name":"Warren Koichi Suzuki","bio":"Nisei male. Born February 27, 1921, in Seattle, Washington. At age ten, was sent to Japan to live and attend school. Returned to Seattle prior to World War II. During the war, was removed to the Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Answered \"no-no\" on the so-called \"loyalty questionnaire\" and was transferred to Tule Lake concentration camp, California. After leaving camp, returned to Seattle and lived with then wife and child in a hostel located in Seattle's Japanese language school. Established a postwar career with the City of Seattle."},{"id":"74","model":"narrator","index":"16 1216/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/74/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/74/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/nmartha.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/nmartha.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/74/interviews/"},"display_name":"Martha Nishitani","bio":"Nisei female. Born February 27, 1920, in Seattle, Washington. Family owned and operated the Oriental Gardens, the first nursery in Lake City. Incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. An award-winning modern dancer who established the Martha Nishitani Modern Dance School and Martha Nishitani Modern Dance Company, she also choreographs for modern dance, opera, and theater productions, as well as specializes in teaching creative dance to children."},{"id":"292","model":"narrator","index":"17 1217/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/292/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/292/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/tmits.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/tmits.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/292/interviews/"},"display_name":"Mits Takahashi","bio":"Nisei male. Born October 22, 1924, in Seattle, Washington. Grew up in Seattle, where father was a prominent member of the Japanese Gardeners Association. During World War II, removed to the Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Drafted into the army, and served in Italy with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Received the Silver Star for valor in combat. Helped to revive the Japanese Gardeners Association in Seattle postwar."},{"id":"783","model":"narrator","index":"18 1218/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/783/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/783/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/tgus.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/tgus.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/783/interviews/"},"display_name":"Gus Tanaka","bio":"Nisei male. Born August 3, 1923, in Portland, Oregon. Grew up in Portland, where father was a physician in Japantown. Was attending college prior to World War II. During the war, removed to the Portland Assembly Center, Oregon, and the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Left camp to attend college before being drafted in 1944. Served in the Army Specialized Training Unit during the U.S. occupation of Japan. Returned to medical school after military service and became a physician practicing in Ontario, Oregon."},{"id":"974","model":"narrator","index":"19 1219/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/974/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/974/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-densho-435-1_narr.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-densho-435-1_narr.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/974/interviews/"},"display_name":"Gerald L. Beppu","bio":"Sansei male. Family owned Linc's Tackle, a longtime Japanese American business in Seattle, Washington. Prior to World War II, father became the owner of Togo's Tackle shop. During the war, removed to the Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. While the family was in camp, their prewar insurance agent paid the premiums so they could retain their insurance policy. After they returned to Seattle, Gerald's father was able to use funds from the policy to establish Linc's."},{"id":"12","model":"narrator","index":"20 1220/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/12/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/12/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/gfumiko.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/gfumiko.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/12/interviews/"},"display_name":"Fumiko Uyeda Groves","bio":"Nisei female. Born September 9, 1933, in Seattle, Washington. Parents operated a store in the Sanitary Market (now known as the Pike Place Market). Father was very active in kenjinkai (prefectural organization) activities, both before and after World War II. Spent prewar childhood in and among Seattle's Japanese American community. Incarcerated at the Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. One of the first Japanese American families to return to Seattle after the war."},{"id":"374","model":"narrator","index":"21 1221/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/374/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/374/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/kthomas.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/kthomas.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/374/interviews/"},"display_name":"Thomas T. Kobayashi","bio":"Nisei male. Born September 4, 1916, in Seattle, Washington. Grew up in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington prior to World War II. Fired from job at Seattle City Light after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During the war, was removed to the Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Volunteered for the army, and transferred to Vint Hill, a secret branch of the Military Intelligence Service. Returned to Seattle following World War II."},{"id":"1019","model":"narrator","index":"22 1222/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/1019/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/1019/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-densho-1000-529_narr.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/ddr-densho-1000-529_narr.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/1019/interviews/"},"display_name":"Sharon Maeda","bio":"Sansei female. Born February 16, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where parents had resettled after leaving the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, during World War II. Moved at an early age to Portland, Oregon, and then Seattle, Washington. Attended the University of Washington where she was active in student groups. Got involved in numerous political campaigns supporting Asian American candidates. Worked as an art educator in the public schools before going on to a career in media, communications, and journalism."},{"id":"ddr-densho-1000-137-2","model":"segment","index":"23 1223/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-137-2/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/ddr-densho-1000-137-2/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-ymitsuye-01-a.jpg","thumb":"http://ddrmedia.local/media/ddr-densho-1000/denshovh-ymitsuye-01-a.jpg"},"title":"Mitsuye May Yamada Interview Segment 2","description":"Living and working in an American Friends' hostel in Cincinnati after leaving Minidoka concentration camp, IdahoMitsuye Yamada was interviewed together with her two surviving brothers, William Toshio Yasutake and Joseph Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. She was interviewed individually on October 9-10, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings had planned to conduct their own family history interviews. Individually and jointly, they and other family members had written and gathered material documenting their family history. They shared much of this with me to assist with research and preparation for the Densho interview. Mitsuye's daughter Jeni had coordinated much of the family history work. Jeni participated as a secondary interviewer during the group sessions, October 8-9, 2002.The group interview sessions were conducted in Seattle at the home of Tom Ikeda, executive director of Densho. The oldest Yasutake sibling, Reverend Seiichi Michael Yasutake, had passed away less than a year before the Densho interviewing, in December, 2001. The remaining siblings emphasized that his absence left a gap in their discussion of family history. In addition to Jeni Yamada and videographers Dana Hoshide and John Pai, also present during some portions of the group interview were Tom Ikeda, and Mitsuye Yamada's son Kai Yamada.","extent":"00:06:13","links_children":"ddr-densho-1000-137-2","creators":[{"role":"narrator","oh_id":129,"namepart":"Mitsuye May Yamada"},{"role":"interviewer","namepart":"Alice Ito"},{"role":"videographer","namepart":"Dana Hoshide"}],"topics":[{"term":"World War II -- Leaving camp -- \"Resettlement\"","id":"104"}],"format":"vh","language":["eng"],"contributor":"Densho","geography":[{"term":"Cincinnati, Ohio","id":"\"http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/7013604\""}],"rights":"cc","genre":"interview","location":"Seattle, Washington","creation":"October 9 & 10, 2002","status":"completed","search_hidden":"Mitsuye May Yamada narrator \nAlice Ito interviewer \nDana Hoshide videographer","download_large":"denshovh-ymitsuye-01-a.jpg"},{"id":"763","model":"narrator","index":"24 1224/{'value': 1260, 'relation': 'eq'}","links":{"html":"https://ddr.densho.org/narrators/763/","json":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/763/","img":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/oetsuko.jpg","thumb":"https://ddr.densho.org/media/narrators/oetsuko.jpg","interviews":"https://ddr.densho.org/api/0.2/narrator/763/interviews/"},"display_name":"Etsuko Ichikawa Osaki","bio":"Nisei female. Born February 19, 1931, in Fresno, California. Family moved to Seattle, Washington, where father became minister of the Seattle Buddhist Temple. During the war, removed to the Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Transferred to the Crystal City internment camp, Texas, to be reunited with father, who was arrested by the FBI after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After the war, returned to Seattle, where parents reestablished the Buddhist temple. Etsuko and her family eventually moved to Portland, Oregon."}],"query":{"query":{"query_string":{"query":"Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho","fields":["id","model","links_html","links_json","links_img","links_thumb","links_children","status","public","title","description","contributor","creators","creators.namepart","facility","format","genre","geography","label","language","creation","location","persons","rights","topics","image_url","display_name","bio","extent","search_hidden"],"analyze_wildcard":false,"allow_leading_wildcard":false,"default_operator":"AND"}},"aggs":{"facility":{"nested":{"path":"facility"},"aggs":{"facility_ids":{"terms":{"field":"facility.id","size":1000}}}},"format":{"terms":{"field":"format"}},"genre":{"terms":{"field":"genre"}},"rights":{"terms":{"field":"rights"}},"topics":{"nested":{"path":"topics"},"aggs":{"topics_ids":{"terms":{"field":"topics.id","size":1000}}}}},"_source":["id","model","links_html","links_json","links_img","links_thumb","links_children","status","public","title","description","contributor","creators","creators.namepart","facility","format","genre","geography","label","language","creation","location","persons","rights","topics","image_url","display_name","bio","extent","search_hidden"]}}