Nisei's Return Causes Rift In Nurses at Harborview

Reactions of nurses at Harborview County Hospital were mixed today over the return of Masako Takayoshi, Japanese-American nurse who was training supervisor at the hospital until April, 1942, when she was evacuated with other Japanese.

Some of the nurses declared they are in favor of Miss Takayoshi's return to service in the hospital, and greeted her by her nickname, "Tacki."

Other nurses were signing a petition of protest against Miss Takayoshi's return to Harborview, and one declared about 25 signatures had been obtained. The petition will be presented at a meeting of Harborview nurses Monday.

Brothers in Service

One nurse said she had worked with "Tacki" for two years, and enjoyed it, but said she now would refuse to work with her.

"I have three brothers in the service," this nurse said. "One is in a hospital, full of Japanese lead."

Another girl said she thought it would be impossible to work with Miss Takayoshi -- "if the Army found she was all right, I suppose we'll have to accept her, but we don't feel like it. We can't change our feelings overnight."

Another said: "I never knew her. If she's a good nurse and a loyal citizen, it's all right. It's not her fault my friends have been killed."

Another nurse declared:

"I think it's all right. If I had to work with her and had any choice in the matter, I would not refuse."

Opposition May Blow Over

Mrs. Janet Korngold, superintendent of nurses at Harborview, said she knew there was some opposition, but hopes "it will blow over in a few days."

Slender, crisp-uniformed, Miss Takayoshi smiled happily as she made the rounds of the hospital today and said:

"It's good to be home."

"Tacki," teaching supervisor there from 1934, when she was graduated from the University of Washington, until the evacuation, made the rounds with Mrs. Korngold. She is returning to her old job as teaching supervisor.

"It's surprising to see so many familiar faces," Miss Takayoshi said, as a physician paused to shake hands. "I was afraid everyone would be gone."

Miss Takayoshi never was in a relocation camp. She went directly ao [to] Colorado General Hospital in Denver, where she did head nursing for two and a half years, until she was allowed to return to Seattle, under certification that she was loyal.

Asked why she wanted to return to Seattle, she answered:

"Because this is my home. I was born here."

Returning to Seattle was made easier, she said, "because I have a position to come back to and a place to live." Like the other nurses, she has a room at Harborview Hall.

Miss Takayoshi said she never has had any "unpleasantness" because of her Japanese ancestry.

One of eight children, Miss Takayoshi has a brother who is a private first class in the Army in France.