Date: June 1, 1998
Location: Seattle, Washington
Videographer: Matt Emery
Densho ID: ddr-densho-1000-100
01:55:31
41 segments
Nisei male. Born 1918 in Yakima, Washington. Spent two years of childhood in Japan. Returned to Seattle and became an active participant in Japanese American community life. Was attending the University of Washington when World War II started. Avoided incarceration with the help of the Friends (a Quaker organization), which hid him and helped him enroll in another university. He eventually entered medical school. Later he became a captain in the U.S. Army and served as a MASH doctor in Korea, where he was trained on one of the first kidney machines. Returned to Seattle and helped pioneer the first kidney dialysis program in the United States. Became the first Japanese American Chief of Staff at Providence Hospital in Seattle. Established a private practice that faithfully served the area's Japanese American community for thirty-two years. Helped establish and develop the Keiro nursing home (now operated as part of Nikkei Concerns).
This interview is part of the Densho Visual History Collection. Visit Densho for more information.