Masamizu Kitajima Interview Segment 28

Born at home before midwife arrives (ddr-densho-1000-287-1) - 00:02:20
Father's family background: prominent Buddhist priests (ddr-densho-1000-287-2) - 00:06:18
Father immigrates to Hawaii as a Buddhist priest (ddr-densho-1000-287-3) - 00:06:14
Memories of growing up on a Hawaiian plantation (ddr-densho-1000-287-4) - 00:03:34
Moving to Kauai where father establishes a new church (ddr-densho-1000-287-5) - 00:05:53
Childhood memories of Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-287-6) - 00:06:38
Life as the eldest son of a prominent Buddhist minister (ddr-densho-1000-287-7) - 00:02:21
Description of mother: counseling older women in the community (ddr-densho-1000-287-8) - 00:02:27
Sent to Japan to live with grandfather and enter ministry training (ddr-densho-1000-287-9) - 00:07:40
Buddhist ministry training in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-287-10) - 00:07:22
Description of siblings (ddr-densho-1000-287-11) - 00:03:48
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, father hides funds collected to build the church before being arrested by the FBI (ddr-densho-1000-287-12) - 00:04:50
Visiting father after his pick-up by FBI (ddr-densho-1000-287-13) - 00:04:26
Though only a child, feeling responsible for the family after father's arrest (ddr-densho-1000-287-14) - 00:03:58
Enduring harassment by the FBI after father's arrest (ddr-densho-1000-287-15) - 00:07:31
Receiving aid from teacher; family decides to move to Crystal City internment camp on the mainland (ddr-densho-1000-287-16) - 00:03:58
Living in an immigration center while awaiting transfer to the mainland (ddr-densho-1000-287-17) - 00:04:43
A difficult journey by ship and train to the mainland internment camp (ddr-densho-1000-287-18) - 00:09:32
Arrival in Jerome, Arkansas: a welcoming group (ddr-densho-1000-287-19) - 00:05:02
Unprepared for winter weather conditions in Arkansas (ddr-densho-1000-287-20) - 00:08:14
Mother's role in camp: caring for five children and doing janitorial work (ddr-densho-1000-287-21) - 00:04:43
As the eldest son, enforcing rules within the family in the absence of father (ddr-densho-1000-287-22) - 00:07:13
Remembering visits by Nisei soldiers in camp (ddr-densho-1000-287-23) - 00:07:29
Reuniting with father: "he wasn't himself when he came in" (ddr-densho-1000-287-24) - 00:02:05
Father's bitterness as a result of witnessing a shooting in camp (ddr-densho-1000-287-25) - 00:02:02
Moving to Tule Lake after father signs "no-no" on the so-called "loyalty questionnaire" (ddr-densho-1000-287-26) - 00:03:37
Participating in Hoshidan activities as a ten year old (ddr-densho-1000-287-27) - 00:05:49
Father changes his mind about moving the family to Japan (ddr-densho-1000-287-28) - 00:04:28
Feeling pressured by peers to return to Japan (ddr-densho-1000-287-29) - 00:04:30
Returning by ship to Hawaii with 442nd Regimental Combat Team soldiers (ddr-densho-1000-287-30) - 00:02:45
Returning to family home and church (ddr-densho-1000-287-31) - 00:04:47
Feeling like an outcast and being bullied because of going to camp on the mainland (ddr-densho-1000-287-32) - 00:05:09
Deciding to focus on schoolwork and go to college (ddr-densho-1000-287-33) - 00:04:22
Recovering the money to build the church that father had hidden at the start of the war (ddr-densho-1000-287-34) - 00:02:43
Moving to New York and becoming an airplane mechanic (ddr-densho-1000-287-35) - 00:02:31
Establishing a career in the airline industry (ddr-densho-1000-287-36) - 00:06:15
Reflections: deciding not to become a minister (ddr-densho-1000-287-37) - 00:04:46
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Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-287-28 (Legacy UID: denshovh-kmasamizu-01-0028)

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Father changes his mind about moving the family to 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.

00:04:28 — Segment 28 of 37

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DATE

June 12, 2010

LOCATION

PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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Densho
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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-287

NARRATOR

Masamizu Kitajima

INTERVIEW TITLE

Masamizu Kitajima Interview

02:41:25 — 37 segments

DATE

June 12, 2010

LOCATION

Honolulu, Hawaii

DESCRIPTION

Nisei male. Born August 1, 1933, in Ookala, Hawaii. At a young age, sent to Japan to live with grandfather and begin ministry training, but returned to the U.S. just before the onset of World War II. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, father, a prominent Buddhist minister, was picked up and arrested by the FBI. Mother couldn't support the children alone, so the family entered the Jerome concentration camp, Arkansas, where they were reunited with father. Father signed "no-no" on the so-called "loyalty questionnaire," and moved the family to the Tule Lake concentration camp, California, in anticipation of repatriating to Japan. Parents changed their minds and did not go to Japan, so the family returned to Hawaii after leaving Tule Lake. After the war, Masamizu established a successful career in airplane mechanics.

(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.)

PRODUCTION

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

TOPICS

FACILITY

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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API