Nisei male. Born September 11, 1916, in Fresno, California. Grew up in Fresno in Chinatown, where the city's Chinese and Japanese communities were concentrated. During World War II, removed to the Fresno Assembly Center, California, and the Jerome concentration camp, Arkansas. Left camp to work for Seabrook Farms, New Jersey. Enlisted in the military and served …
Kibei male. Born February 25, 1929, in Hilo, Hawaii. At the age of four, moved to Japan, where family operated a farm. Attended school in Japan during World War II. Was in school in Hiroshima when the United States dropped the atomic bomb in 1945. Survived the bombing along with mother and brother. In 1949, returned …
Kibei male. Born December 25, 1930 in Sacramento, California. Grew up in Sacramento where parents ran a hotel. In 1941, traveled to Japan with father to Japan, then could not return to the United States because of impending war. Was living in Hiroshima when the United States dropped the atomic bomb in 1945. Returned to the …
Nisei female. Born March 27, 1927, in Ola'a, Hawaii. Grew up in Ola'a until family moved to Hawaii just before World War II. Attended high school and college during in Japan and then had to work a factory to support the war effort. Witnessed the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Worked for the military government in Japan, …
Japanese in America, circa early 1900s-1960s, boxes 7-12: The collection contains photographs and albums of the Japanese in the United States, mainly Washington, California, Colorado, and Utah. The photographs include family portraits and snapshots capturing their community activities and local events, such as picnic, wedding, funeral, local associations’ activities, etc., mostly taken in the early 1900s. …
Considering allegiance to Japan versus the United States as a child
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department …
Oldest sister sent to live in Japan before World War II
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department …
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of …
Building homes in Hiroshima, Japan after the atomic bombing
In this interview Mr. Schmoe refers to Aki Kurose, a former employee, fellow Quaker, peace activist, and long-time friend. At the time of this interview, Ms. Kurose had recently passed away after a long struggle with cancer. At the time of this interview, Mr. Schmoe is 102 …
This interview was conducted at the 1998 Americans of Japanese Ancestry Veterans National Convention, held in Honolulu, Hawaii. Because of the full conference schedule, interviews conducted at the reunion were generally shorter in length than the typical Densho interview and tend to concentrate on the individual's military service …
Befriending a twelve-year-old boy in stopover in Japan
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.
Having a "Japan Day" in summer camp during World War II
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department …
Thoughts on the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Japan
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department …
Impact of being Japanese American conducting atomic bomb studies in Japan
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department …
Family moves to Japan and establishes a farm: vegetables, chickens and honeybees
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the …
Hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor as an American in Japan
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the …
Serving as a translator during the war crimes trials in Japan
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department …
Expatriating to Japan ahead of family, going to family home
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of …
Fear in the Japanese community in Huancayo, Peru, after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of …
Moving to permanent camp in Jerome, Arkansas; working as the storekeeper for the food warehouse
Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who …
Acting somewhat as an interpreter between Issei, Nisei and Kibei in camp
Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves …
Being warned not to volunteer for the military's "spy school," but deciding to go anyway
Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who …
An incident involving a threat of court-martial in New Delhi, India
Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify themselves as …
Memories of the bombing of Pearl Harbor: "I thought it was a joke or something"
Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who …
Preparing for mass removal: helping employer's family, continuing to work as delivery boy
Although Mr. Matsumoto does not identify himself as a Kibei (American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.), some of his life experiences are similar to those who do identify …
