Renewed hope after discovering illness was misdiagnosed: "I just decided that I would do something with my life"
Mitsuye 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.
Dealing with the stresses of father's passing, studying for master's comprehensive exams, and moving around the country for husband's job
Mitsuye 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.
Self-publishing an anthology with a group of Orange County poets; influence of father's senryu poetry
Mitsuye 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 …
Living and working in an American Friends' hostel in Cincinnati after leaving Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho
Mitsuye 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 …
Parallels between experiences of Japanese Americans and Arab Americans following September 11, 2001: call for political action
Mitsuye 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 …
Adjusting to life in Pasadena, California and becoming involved in the controversy over the Fair Housing bill
Mitsuye 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 …
Fond memories of living in a dormitory at the University of Cincinnati, returning to visit years later
Mitsuye 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 …
Description of a race-related incident while living in a dormitory at the University of Cincinnati
Mitsuye 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 …
Father is denied a visa to visit Japan, yet later was allowed to become a U.S. citizen
Mitsuye 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 …
Hearing the news of the end of the war; being asked about the concentration camps by a returning soldier
Mitsuye 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.
Experiences speaking in classrooms about parallels between the Japanese American experience and September 11, 2001
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings …
Memories of Crystal City internment camp, Texas: "I feel like I'm goin' to a prison."
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings …
Parents' experiences as domestic help; "I was ashamed of the fact that my parents were servants."
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Experiences as one of the only Asian Americans in Terrace Park, Ohio, isolated incidents of racism
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Being one of the few Asian American families in Denver, Colorado, not much awareness of Japanese ethnic identity
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Importance of the vocal stance of Japanese American communities, feeling concerned about people's hesitation to speak out
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Moving to Cincinnati, Ohio after World War II, witnessing parents unhappily employed as domestic help, attending school and participating in sports
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Memories of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the end of World War II
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October 9, 2002.
Before being contacted by Densho, the Yasutake siblings …
Finishing college at the University of Illinois, acceptance into ROTC influenced by older brother's service with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II
Joseph Yasutake was interviewed together with his sister Mitsuye (Yasutake) Yamada and surviving brother, William Toshio Yasutake, in group sessions on October 8-9, 2002. He was also interviewed individually on October …
Selected article titles: "Neighbors, press sympathize with L.A. Issei couple ordered to leave" (p. 1), "Nisei teacher turned down in bid for home in Centerville, No. Calif. papers disclose" (p. 1), "Strandee retains U.S. citizenship" (p. 2), "N.Y. interracial housing project invites Nisei" (p. 2), "Japanese traits studied by CLers" (p. 2), "Japanese church groups not …
Selected article titles: "Comeback of Japanese Americans Since Evacuation Gilded by Rise in Politics" (p. 1), "American men marry Orientals because they're not as nagging" (p. 1), "American soybeans popularized in Japan after 20-year effort" (p. 1), "Student prefers Oxford to American university system, returning to study Japanese this year" (p. 1), "Anti-Oriental racism charged" (p. …
Selected article titles: "New approach on fair housing law detailed: Rumford Act doomed because of provisions unacceptable by majority of California voters" (p. 1), "Tule Lake still leased to U.S., says N.Y. writer" (p. 1), "D.C. JACL backs up marriage law repeal" (p. 1), "Issei-Nisei success within one life span impresses Japan envoy" (p. 1), "San …
Selected article titles: "Is It Anti-Japanese Bias? Verbal Feud of Appointment of Noguchi as Coroner Hot" (p. 1), "New yardstick suggested for medics to spot 'suicide prone'" (p. 1), "Vietnam Issue Added in Speech Given by Rep. Matsunaga Warms Up CCDC Meet" (p. 1), "Burton bill asks statute of limitations on deportations" (p. 1), "Proper perspective …
Selected article titles: "Oldest Nisei in U.S. to be cited by JACL in N.Y." (p. 1), "Minorities would be ignored under plan to elect President directly" (p. 1), "Apartment owner uses race ratio" (p. 1), "'Noguchi Case' in Phoenix" (p. 1), "Auto licensing office was on the road to 'bankruptcy' when Nisei reinstated" (p. 1), "Shell …
Nisei female. Born September 21, 1911, in Seattle, Washington. Had a younger sister and three younger brothers. Father, Riichiro Fukano, employed by Oriental Trading Company as a bookkeeper in Seattle, before operating a dry cleaning business. Mother, Kiyono (Miyama) Fukano, a seamstress. Learned dressmaking from mother, and helped in the shop. Family lived upstairs above the …
