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 such.
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 such.
Hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor; surprise that Japan would attack the United States
During this interview, Mrs. Kurosu alternately speaks in both English and Japanese. As a result, the English translation of the transcript contains [Jpn.] and [Eng.], which indicate whether the original dialogue was spoken in Japanese or English.
Father's return to Japan due to fear of U.S. hostility prior to World War II
During this interview, Mrs. Kurosu alternately speaks in both English and Japanese. As a result, the English translation of the transcript contains [Jpn.] and [Eng.], which indicate whether the original dialogue was spoken in Japanese or English.
Receiving news that younger brother, still living in Japan, was killed during the war
During this interview, Mrs. Kurosu alternately speaks in both English and Japanese. As a result, the English translation of the transcript contains [Jpn.] and [Eng.], which indicate whether the original dialogue was spoken in Japanese or English.
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.
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.
Family background: parents' immigration from Japan, leasing a ranch in California
This interview was conducted by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and is part of a project entitled "Lasting Stories: The Resettlement of San Jose Japantown," a collaborative project between the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and Densho.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Issei female. Born March 27, 1912, in Binmanji, Japan. Grew up and married in Japan, before immigrating with husband to Canada in 1931, eventually settling in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Raised family in Saskatoon, working in fabric store established by husband. City street named in honor of the Wakabayashi family's contributions to the city over the years.
Nisei female. Born March 30, 1928, in San Jose, California. Prior to World War II, sent by father to live in Japan with relatives. Remained in Japan during the war, attending school and working in an airplane parts factory to support the Japanese war effort. Eventually returned to the United States and San Jose.
Nisei male. Born June 22, 1926, in Oakland, California. Grew up in Oakland and Berkeley, California. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, removed with family to the Tanforan Assembly Center, California, and Topaz concentration camp, Utah. Signed "no-no" on the so-called "loyalty questionnaire" in 1943 because of mother's wish to have the family move to Japan. …
Caption on reverse [translation]: "(Tokyo) 1936 August 17. Tamekichi Ota, Japanese Ambassador to Russia, returned home on the 13th. He visited Prime Minister Hirota at the official residence at noon on the 17th. While they ate lunch Ota reported on the latest trend of the relations between England and Russia, and between France and Russia. Ota …
A letter from Minoru Sasaki in Hiroshima, Japan, to his brother-in-law, Seiichi Okine. He thanks Seiichi for the gift, including ajinomoto [monosodium glutamate], sugar, candies, and pencils. He describes the shortages of basic necessities in Japan and states that all children under age 8 do not know the real taste of sugar. He also expresses his …
A letter from Masao Okine, who is stationed in Tokyo, Japan as a Nisei solder, to his parents, Seiichi and Tomeyo Okine. The letter is mailed via San Francisco, California, by U.S. Army Postal Service. In the letter, Masao writes about his duties driving a jeep and informs that he is going to mail his parents' …
Selected article titles: "300 Nisei Stranded in Japan by War, Petition for Right to Return to Homes in U.S." (p. 1), "Canadian Supreme Court Rules Orders for Deportation Valid" (p. 1), "Delegates Support Extension of JACL Work in Peacetime" (p. 1), "See Few Marriages Between U.S. Troops, Girls in Japan" (p. 1), "San Francisco Cases to …
Nisei male. Born February 7, 1925, in Sacramento, California. At a very young age, sent to Japan for several years. Returned at age six and lived with family in Loomis, California. During World War II, removed to the Arboga Assembly Center, California, and the Tule Lake concentration camp, California. Transferred briefly to the Amache concentration camp, …
The Leonard Store was an important business in the White River Valley. Leonard introduced modern conveniences such as post office boxes and phones to the community. He also catered to the local Nikkei and imported various goods from Japan. Matahichi Iseri, a prominent Issei, worked for Leonard who promised to make him a partner in the …
Caption on reverse [translation]: "Sent to English embassy. On the 9th, the birthday of English emperor George III, the Emperor of Japan sent a congratulatory greeting. Moreover, on the same day at 11 a.m., he sent Matsudaira, master of ceremonies, to the embassy as an official messenger and expressed his congratulations through the clergy ambassador. The …
Caption on reverse [translation]: "Italian Music Association Formed. Our prominent musical figure who studied in Italy is planning to form an association to strengthen the ties of friendship between Japan and Italy. The opening ceremony was held from 1:00 p.m. (The picture shows the attending musicians, from right, Toshiko Sekiya, Ayako Kikuchi, Yoshiko Nagasaka, Tamaki Miura, …
Black and white photographic print of wedding reception for Olinda Saito and Sgt. Raymond Funakoshi at the American Club in Tokyo, Japan. Group portrait of twelve individuals unidentified, except for Capt. Sakamoto standing in top row, third from left, and Olinda Saito (bride), seated and third from right. Shiuko Sakai, the donor, organized this wedding party …
![Letter from Minoru Sasaki to Mr. S. Okine, September 22, 1947 [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-5-210)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/55/cf/55cf10eb426aa943faea2be1b7217d82.jpg)
![Letter from Masao Okine to Mr. and Mrs. S. Okine, July 27, 1946 [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-5-153)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/34/27/3427a1f0930536258599d58758e23d12.jpg)
![Letter from Minoru Sasaki to Mr. S. Okine, September 22, 1947 [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-5-210)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/16/60/16609a5a7affb3b79774a753d447d242.jpg)
![Letter from Masao Okine to Mr. and Mrs. S. Okine, July 27, 1946 [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-5-153)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/03/74/0374ff93f8179a59877389195af30d21.jpg)
