Courtesy Guy Power, who received the information from the FBI in January 2001 in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The following reports, which were typewritten in 1956, have been transcribed so that they appear as much like the original documents as possible. Editorial insertions are indicated by square brackets [like this]. [DELETED] refers to entries blacked out in the FBI documents received.

 
Director, FBI 9/13/56

SAC, Seattle (100-1804; 100-5006)

HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI (Military Virtue Society of North America) IS-J

DAI NIPPON BUTOKU KAI (Military Virtue Society of Japan or Military Art Society of Japan), aka ISJ

Enclosed herewith are reports of SA [Special Agent] [DELETED] dated 9/13/56 captioned HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI (Military Virtue Society of North America), INTERNAL SECURITY –J; and dated 9/13/56 captioned DAI NIPPON BUTOKU KAI (Military Virtue Society of Japan or Military Art Society of Japan), aka North American Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Southern California Kendo Association, INTERNAL SECURITY – J.

These reports contain characterizations of several Japanese individuals who were formerly active in the DAI NIPPON BUTOKU KAI or the HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI. No additional investigation was conducted as to the present activities or whereabouts of these individuals, nor is it known whether or not they are now living.

3- Bureau (ENCls. –10) (REG.)

2 – Seattle

PTB:blb

(5)

CONFIDENTIAL

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 5/23/86 #266,589.

Report made by SA b7c, typed by blb

SYNOPSIS: Known activities of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in Seattle area prior to World War II set out. Local intelligence agencies have no information identifiable with Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. Local Japanese source advises organization went out of existence in 1941, and has not since reactivated in Seattle.

 [SEATTLE]

On January 5, 1942 [DELETED] and an employee for the past [DELETED] was interviewed by SA [DELETED] relative to the connection between the Seattle Japanese Consulate and the two Japanese Kendo or fencing groups in Seattle. [DELETED] stated that YUKI SATO, the Japanese Consul at Seattle, was the nominal head of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai by virtue of his appointment as such by the Japanese Government, inasmuch as this Kendo organization was the one officially recognized and fostered by the Japanese Government. However according to [DELETED] SATO had no particular interest in Kendo and disliked his position with Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, because it caused ill feeling with the competing Hokubei Butoku Kai. [DELETED] said that representatives of each organization were constantly calling at the Consulate and causing difficulty about the activities and functions of the competing organizations.

[DELETED] advised that the Japanese Consulate donated no funds to either of the organizations to his knowledge, but that some representative of the Consulate would attend meetings of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. [DELETED] stated that in order to avoid difficulty with Hokubei Butoku Kai, the Consul would also send a representative to their meetings and this according to [DELETED] was the only connection with or influence placed by the consul on the Japanese Kendo groups in Seattle.

On April 10, 1942 UMAJIRO IMANISHI advised SA [DELETED] that he had been Secretary of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. IMANISHI stated that the former Japanese Consul, YUKI SATO at Seattle, was the head of this organization, but denied SATO had ever attended any meetings. IMANISHI denied also that the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai had any regular business meetings, but stated that meetings were held only when some problem came up that needed attention. He said the officers of the organization were as follows:

President, YUKI SATO, Japanese Consul, Seattle

Vice Presidents, SHINJARO MORITA and CHUSABURO ITO

Secretary, UMAJIRO IMANISHI

Treasurer, KOZO UENISHAI

IMANISHI advised that the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai met for Kendo practice twice each week, and he said that although in Japan the members of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai bow in reverence to the Japanese Emperor before commencing to fence, the members in Seattle bow only to each other. IMANISHI claimed that their motto or code was "to make strong the mind, heart and character."

The following more fully identifies UMAJIRO IMANISHI:

IMANISHI was apprehended on February 21, 1942 by virtue of Emergency Warrant issued under the authority of the President of the United States. At the time of his apprehension he displayed an Alien Registration Booklet, Registration No. 2976276, reflecting that he was born in Wajima, Japan on October 23, 1891. It further disclosed that he had been in the United States for twenty-seven years.

As the result of a hearing held April 7, 1942, the office of the Attorney General on June 12, 1942 ordered the internment of IMANISHI. On December 17, 1943 the Attorney General advised that IMANISHI had been paroled and in January, 1946 the Immigration and Naturalization Service advised that the parole of the subject had been removed in accordance with the Attorney General’s order of November 16, 1945 suspending the parole of alien enemies.

The following more fully identifies [DELETED]:

[DELETED] was taken into custody December 7, 1941 by officers of the Seattle Police Department, and lodged in custodial detention in I&NS [Immigration and Naturalization Service] as an enemy alien.

By letter dated April 29, 1942 the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington forwarded the findings and recommendation of the Alien Enemy Hearing Board in which they recommended that [DELETED] be interned. This recommendation was based in part on the fact that he had testified that he had received a wooden cup from the Japanese Foreign Office which was presented in connection with the 2600 anniversary of the founding of the Japanese Empire. This cup was presented November, 1940 as an award for meritorious service rendered to Japanese living abroad. He also admitted having received a scroll of commendation from Prince FUSHIMI, President of the Japanese Industrial Association of Tokyo in 1940. He was the only Japanese in the United States to have received such an award.

At the direction of the Attorney General, [DELETED] was ordered paroled on November 19, 1943, and in January, 1946 the Attorney General advised that [DELETED] parole had been removed in accordance with the Attorney General’s order of November 16, 1945 suspending the parole of alien enemies.

On April 25, 1942 SHINJARO MORITA [handwritten: born Nara, Japan, 10-1-90], then interned at Fort Missoula, Montana, advised SA [DELETED] that the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, a Kendo (Japanese fencing) club in Seattle, Washington, was organized in about 1936 and 1937 resulting from the old Seattle Kendo Kai, the members of which split into this organization and the rival Hokubei Butoku Kai.

MORITA stated that Dai Nippon Butoku Kai met for Kendo play every Tuesday and Friday night in Seattle and had done so since its organization. MORITA stated that the officers of the organization during 1941 were as follows:

President, YUKI SATO, Seattle Japanese Consul (ex officio president)

Vice Presidents, SHINJARO MORITA, CHUSABURO ITO

Secretaries, UMAJIRO IMANISHI, HIDEJI NAGAMATSU, CHIKUZO KATAYAMA

Treasurers, KOZO UENISHI, KINTARO NAKASHIMA

Instructor, TAMOTSU TAKISAKI

MORITA stated that the affairs of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai were directed and controlled by the above individuals and ISAO WATANABE and ISAO CHIHARA, members, who as first generation Japanese arranged the financial affairs and activities of the organization. MORITA stated that the above individuals were not required to pay dues and formed a loose committee for the purpose of running the organization. He advised that the actual members of the organization were the children who participated in the Kendo practice. The parents of the children attending the meetings paid $1 per month if they had one child participating, $1.50 if two children, and $2.25 per month if three children.

MORITA said that the members of the directing committee of the organization attended the meetings more or less regularly with the exception of NAGAMATSU, ITO, NAKASHIMA, KATAYAMA, and WATANABE. The only first generation Japanese actually participating in the fencing were TAKISAKI, MORITA, IMANISHI, UENISHI, and CHIHARA. Morita advised that no tournaments had ever been held with the rival club of the Hokubei Butoku Kai, but that from 1936 through 1939 three annual tournaments were held with the Vancouver, B.C., Canada club.

Concerning the procedures and ceremony on practice of Kendo, MORITA stated that before the children would commence to fence, they would seat themselves opposite the instructor for the evening, who would be generally TAKISAKI, at which time the instructor would bow to the children and the children would bow back to him, and he would then make a speech varying in length from a few minutes to half an hour. MORITA said that the speech would mainly consist of emphasizing the important of obedience to their parents, and good and honorable sportsmanship. He said that after the conclusion of the fencing the students would again seat themselves opposite the instructor and after bowing to each other and a brief closing speech by the instructor, the evening would be completed.

MORITA said that the Seattle Japanese Consul, YUKI SATO, although nominally president of the organization, took no interest or active part in the organization, and in fact MORITA cannot recall when SATO had attended a meeting. He recalled that the Consul would on some special occasion like New Years and the annual picnic, send one of the members of the Consulate as his representative.

According to MORITA, TAKASAKI the instructor received between $15 and $20 for his services, the monthly income of the organization being between $35 and $40. The remainder of the money was used as rent for the hall in which the organization met, and the purchase of gifts and flowers for the children and for their parents on necessary occasions. MORITA said the only property owned by the organization was a lot which they had originally purchased with the intention of building their own Kendo Hall, and their bank account then frozen in the Sumitomo Bank, Seattle, Washington, of something more than $2,000.

The following more fully identifies SHINJARO MORITA:

MORITA was apprehended by an Agent of the FBI on December 8, 1941 by virtue of an Emergency Warrant under the authority of the President of the United States. He advised that he was born at Nara, Japan on October 1, 1890. He entered the United States at Seattle on June 30, 1916, and had resided in the United States for twenty-five years.

By letter dated April 20, 1942 the U.S. Attorney Western District of Washington, advised that on February 5, 1942 MORITA appeared before the Alien Enemy Hearing Board of Seattle, Washington at Missoula, Montana. In testifying before the Board, MORITA admitted that he had been contacted by various Japanese Army and Navy officers who had visited Seattle in the past several years. The Hearing Board recommended internment of MORITA and the U.S. Attorney concurred.

By letter dated August 24, 1942 the Attorney General set aside a previous order ordering the internment of MORITA directing that he be paroled.

The following more fully identifies HIDEJI NAGAMATSU [Secretary of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]:

On December 8, 1941 HHIDEJI NAGAMATSU was apprehended by Special Agents of the FBI at Seattle, Washington, as an enemy alien. By letter dated April 20, 1942 the United States Attorney, Western District of Washington, advised that NAGAMATSU received a hearing before the Alien Enemy Hearing Board, and it was recommend that he be interned. In testifying before this Board, NAGAMATSU advised that he first entered the United States in 1902 and since that time he had made only one trip to Japan in 1932. He further testified that he made solicitations for subscriptions and memberships in the Sokuku Kai.

(The Sokoku Kai has been designated by the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to Executive Order 10450.)

By order of January 5, 1944 the Attorney General ordered NAGAMATSU paroled, which order set aside a previous order dated May 18, 1942 ordering his internment.

The following more fully identifies KINTARO NAKASHIMA [Treasurer of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]:

Assistant United States Attorney GERALD SHUCKLIN, Seattle, Washington, authorized the emergency apprehension under Executive Warrant of NAKASHIMA on February 21, 1942, at which time he was placed in the custody of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, Seattle, by the FBI.

On February 28, 1942 he advised SA [DELETED] that he entered the United States in 1902, returning to Japan in 1921, re-entered the United States in 1921, returned to Japan in 1923, and re-entered the United States in 1924. He advised that he had been the Secretary to the Sokuku Kai for approximately five years.

By letter dated May 18, 1942 the United States Attorney, Western District of Washington, advised that the Alien Enemy Hearing Board recommend that NAKASHIMA be interned in which recommendation the United States Attorney’s Office concurred.

By letter dated December 11, 1942 the USA [US Attorney], Western District of Washington, advised that on December 9, 1943 the Alien Enemy Hearing Board again reviewed the file of NAKASHIMA at the original hearing discloses that he was not truthful and was more active in Japanese societies than he admitted. They therefore do not recommend that he be released, but do recommend that he be paroled so that he might rejoin his family.

In January, 1946 the Attorney General advised that NAKASHIMA had been removed from parole in accordance with the Attorney General’s order of November 16, 1945 suspending the parole of enemy aliens.

The following more fully identifies TAMOTSU TAKISAKI [Instructor, Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]:

On January 21, 1942 TAKISAKI was arrested at Seattle and placed in custody of Immigration and Naturalization Service pursuant to a Presidential Warrant issued for his arrest as a dangerous enemy alien.

On January 21, 1942 TAKISAKI advised SAs [DELETED] that he was born September 5, 1882 in Japan. He came to the United States in 1908 and returned to Japan in 1916 for eighteen months, and again in 1936 for four months.

By letter dated July 21, 1942 the United States Attorney, Western District of Washington, advised that a hearing was held for TAKISAKI before the Alien Enemy Hearing Board No. 2 at Fort Lincoln, Bismarck, North Dakota. Testifying before the hearing, TAKISAKI stated that he had been appointed an instructor on a fee basis by the leaders of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai about four years previous as he had been a high school fencing champion in Japan. He claimed that his fencing club did not go through any ritual such as bowing to the shrine of a Japanese god, because he does not believe this should be done in the United States.

The Board recommended that TAKISAKI be interned.

By order dated August 6, 1942 the Attorney General ordered TAKISAKI be paroled, and in February, 1946 the Department advised that parole of TAKISAKI was removed in accordance with the Attorney General’s order of November 16, 1945 suspending the parole of enemy aliens.

The following more fully identifies ISAO WATANABE:

On April 27, 1942 ISAO WATANABE advised SA [DELETED] that he was born in Japan in 1882 and entered the United States in 1904. He advised that he joined the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai about three years ago, allegedly for the purpose of getting exercise. He stated that he was a member for only one year, found that he was too old to stand up under the strenuous exercise, and therefore quit going to club meetings. He said that he had never read any books or magazines published by the organization and participated in no activities of the organization other than the Kendo exercise.

The following more fully identifies [DELETED] [President, Dai Nippon Butoku Kai]:

[DELETED] was placed in custodial detention at the US Immigration and Naturalization Service in Seattle on December 8, 1941 as an enemy alien, by officers of the Seattle Police Department acting in cooperation with the FBI.

By letter dated April 25, 1942 the United States Attorney, Western District of Washington, advised that [DELETED] received a hearing before an Alien Enemy Board on February 5, 1942. The Board recommended he be paroled without bond; however the United States Attorney did not concur with the recommendation based in part on the fact that he was the President of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

By order dated May 25, 1942 the Attorney General ordered [DELETED] interned. By letter dated April 8, 1943 the United States Attorney, Western District of Washington, advised that they concurred with the recommendation of the Alien Enemy Hearing Board that [DELETED] now be paroled. On January 19, 1946 the Attorney General advised that the parole of [DELETED] has been removed in accordance with the Attorney General’s order of November 16, 1945 suspending the parole of enemy enemies.

Pursuant to a Presidential Warrant, JOE KOZO UENISHI was apprehended on May 1, 1942 at Seattle, Washington by Special Agents of the FBI. On April 29, 1942, UENISHI advised SA [DELETED] that he is a Japanese alien, 42 years of age, who entered the United States in 1917. He returned to Japan for a visit from October, 1923 to April, 1924. He acknowledged that he had been a member of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai since it had first organized in Seattle, and was Financial Secretary of this organization from 1939-1941. He stated his duties consisted mainly of keeping count of the dues paid and expenditures. UENISHI advised that Dai Nippon Butoku Kai [between 1940-1942] received a magazine monthly from Kyoto, Japan, headquarters of the organization. He denied that the local club ever sent dues to the headquarters, but said that they occasionally sent small fees when rank certificates are to be awarded. These rank certificates are received from the Central Headquarters in Kyoto. He advised that the fencing club bestows various ranks upon its members according to the degree of proficiency in fencing. He stated there are a number of novice ranks which are of no importance, and the true rankings commence with the first rank known as the Shodan. He stated there are nine ranks as follows:

Shodan
Nidan
Sandan
Yudan [sic]
Godan
Rokudan
Well trained Sumari [sic] – Renshi
Samurai instructor – Kyoshi
Samurai achievement – Hanshi

UENISHI stated that the local club sends a report relative to the club’s activities to the headquarters in Kyoto three or four times a year. He advised that the monthly magazine received from the headquarters mainly deals with Kendo instruction, Samurai trends and Japanese culture generally. He stated occasionally the magazine contains excerpts from speeches of high ranking Japanese Naval or Army officers dealing with politics, the destiny of Japan, and the greatness of the Japanese race.

With reference to the Kendo ritual, he advised in Japan the Kendo participants follow a ritual of bowing to the shrine of some Japanese god. He stated the local Japanese organization follows this form of ceremony by bowing to the south side of the gymnasium in which they are engaged in Kendo, because that is the place where the shrine of this god would be located if they had such a shrine. After bowing to the south side of the gymnasium they then bow to one another and commence to fence.

Relative to the history of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in Seattle, UENISHI stated this organization started as a purely local club in 1933, at which time it was known as the Seattle Kendo Club. In 1937 a Japanese named [DELETED] [Tokichi Nakamura] came to Seattle from California and undertook an organization of a rival Kendo club known as the Hokubei Butoku Kai. He advised that several prominent members of the Seattle Kendo Club changed over to the Hokubei Butoku Kai, and that this organization became so powerful that the Seattle Kendo Club was about to go out of existence, and it was necessary to do something to re-establish the prestige of the Seattle Kendo Club. UENISHI stated he personally discussed the matter with the Japanese Consul in Seattle at that time, and through the Consul was able to get the connection with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai of Japan; and therefore the Seattle Kendo Club became the Seattle Branch of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

UENISHI advised that in Japan Dai Nippon Butoku Kai emphasizes loyalty to the Japanese Emperor and obedience to parents. He indicated, however, that the Seattle organization emphasizes only obedience to parents and such military virtues as courage, honor, loyalty, etc. He said the Kendo Club in Seattle has not attempted to instill in its young members the idea of loyalty to the Japanese Emperor.

On August 8, 1956 [DELETED], DIO 13th Naval District, Seattle, advised that the files of their office contain no information identifiable with Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

On August 24, 1956 [DELETED] G-2, Seattle; on August 27, 1956 [DELETED], McChord Field, Washington; and on August 27, 1956 [DELETED] Department of State, Seattle, all advised SA [DELETED] that their files contain no information identifiable with Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

On August 24, 1956 SE [sic] [DELETED] reviewed National Defense files, Seattle Police Department, and was unable to locate any information identifiable with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai.

On August 21, 1956 [DELETED], Hoge Building, was interviewed by SAs [DELETED] advised that as [DELETED] Seattle, he has been in close contact with many Japanese in the Seattle area. However, he is not acquainted with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, and has no knowledge of this organization being active in Seattle or elsewhere.

On August 24, 1956 [DELETED] advised SA [DELETED] that Dai Nippon Butoku Kai has not been active in Seattle since 1941. [DELETED] stated that he participates in judo in the Seattle area, and if the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai was active, he feels certain that he would be aware of it.

Further, [DELETED] commented that he does not believe Kendo is as popular in Japan as it was prior to World War II, describing it as an art that has lost its popularity to judo.

On August 27, 1956 [DELETED] Seattle, advised SA [DELETED] that Dai Nippon Butoku Kai has not been in existence in Seattle since 1941. [DELETED] pointed out that as [DELETED] he is generally cognizant of activities in the community, and if the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai had been re-established, he believes he would have known about it. He stated that the Nesei [sic] Japanese greatly outnumber first generation Japanese, and Kendo is no longer popular as it was prior to World War II.

REFERENCE: Bureau letter to Los Angeles dated 7/31/56;

Los Angeles letter to the Director dated 8/13/56.

[PORTLAND]

Pd 65-1096

On August 15, 1956, the individuals mentioned below advised that their organizations, in Portland, contain no information on the captioned organizations:

[DELETED], Immigration and Naturalization Service, United States Court House, Portland.

[DELETED], Portland Detachment, Office of Naval Intelligence, United States Custom House, Portland.

[DELETED], 115th CIC Detachment, Portland.

[DELETED], 2003 Detachment, 20th District, OSI, Portland Air Base.

On April 30, 1956, [DELETED], Portland, who was contacted on an unrelated matter, stated that during the approximate period [DELETED] he attended a fencing school sponsored by the Portland BUTOKU KAI, although he himself was not a member of the latter organization. He said that he has belonged to a number of Japanese athletic clubs, particularly those involving judo, and that he has associated with Japanese that were studying fencing. He said that he has lived in Portland since 1924 and has been very well informed on the nationalistic sentiments of the Japanese in this area during that period. [DELETED] said he is convinced that a mistake has been made by the government in placing the "BUTOKU KAI" within the purview of Executive Order 10450. He stated that he desired to furnish the following statement:

Portland, Oregon

April 30, 1956

"I, [DELETED], of the above address, desire to furnish this signed statement to [DELETED], whom I know to be a special agent of the FBI.

"I have lived in Oregon since 1924. Although I was never a member of the Portland Butoku Kai, I was well acquainted with some of the members and am positive that in the states of Oregon and Washington this organization was concerned only with athletics – judo and fencing. The members had no concern with anything political whatever. The young men had no political interests at all. It was the custom in the organization to choose a well known Japanese figure e.g. a prince or retired general, to head the organization for prestige. Often the man chosen had no actual connection with the group. His name in the organization helped to attract members. I believe it was this procedure which caused question of the organization in regard to loyalty toward the U.S. I sincerely believe that it was a grave mistake to list this group under EO 10450 as having interests contrary to those of the U.s. I know of no member of Portland Butoku Kai who has ever been disloyal toward this country.

"I have read the above statement and it is true.

/s/

Witnessed: [DELETED]

Special Agent

FBI, Portland"

On August 17, 1956, [DELETED] mentioned above, said that [DELETED] above, is presently in Japan and will not return to this country until October, [DELETED].

A review of the files of the Portland Office, FBI, disclosed the following information concerning HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI Portland, Oregon, received from the Office of Naval Intelligence, Seattle, Washington, on the dates indicated below. ONI disclosed that this information originated in the "North American Times" as noted.

ONI on March 17, 1941, attributed the following information to the "North American Times", issue February 27, 1941:

"HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI (Judo [sic] organization)

Portland, Oregon.

"Oregon chapter General Meeting and election of officers was held. Following are the officers: --

 Chapter President
 --
 INUZUKA TAKASHI
 
Treasurer
 --
 NISHINO KOSAKU
 
Rural Committees:
 --
  
Gresham (Oregon)
 --
 SHIIGI RIKIZO; KOREHIRO TAMAKICHI; OUCHIDA KYUTA; FUJII BUKICHI and KIDO YUUHEI
 
Columbia Boulevard (Portland)
 --
 MURAMATSU MATSUTARO; TAKAFUJI ICHIRO and NAKAMURA KUMASHIRO
 
Portland
 
 ISHIBASHI NAOICHI; OKAMOTO JUJIRO; SATO ICHIO and TANAKA KUNIO
 
ONI on March 17, 1941, attributed the following information to the "North American Times", issue February 27, 1941:

"G.T. JAPANESE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Gresham-Troutdale, Oregon

"With the organizing of the new Gresham-Troutdale Women’s Association, the members visited each house and invited the women to join the association. Almost everyone accepted the invitation and on March 4th at 7 P.M. the General Meeting will be held and officers will be elected. The new constitution will be discussed. Invitation cards have been mailed but those who have not received them are also urged to attend."

ONI on May 28, 1941, attributed the following information to the "North American Times", issue May 6, 1941:

"HOKUBEI BUTOKU-KAI

Portland, Oregon

"Oregon Chapter sent representatives to Seihokubu Federation Kendo Tournament. Chapter President Mr. INUZUKA and NISHINO KOSAKU lead [sic] them."

ONI on December 4, 1941, attributed the following information to the "North American Times", issue November 24, 1941:

"HOKUBEI BUTOKU-KAI

Portland, Oregon

7th Anniversary of the Oregon Chapter of HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI will celebrate by Kendo Tournament, Nov. 30th, 1 P.M. at the Nichiren Church Hall. Delegates from various vicinities will take part. Seattle, Tacoma and various other chapters in Washington will attend.

Chairman INUZUKA, Chapter President.

OKUDA HEIJI, Kendo Federation President.

KOYAMA IWAO, Japanese Newspaper Representative.

HARA GINNOSUKE, Japanese Chamber of Commerce Rep.

NISHINO KOSAKU, Thanks. Representing Oregon Chapter Parents.

Tournaments: Fundamental Forms illustrated.

"Forms of Japanese Kendo illustrated, by [Dick] YAMAMOTO and [Jack] OGAMI. Boys, Girls and Yudansha [grade holders] departments, etc. Invitations have been mailed to each home, any person interested is welcome."

Investigation in 1942 disclosed that the "North American Times" was a Japanese language newspaper published at Seattle, Washington, daily except for Sundays, its normal issue containing six pages, five pages in the Japanese language and one page in the English language. The newspaper had arrangements with certain Japanese individuals who would receive news broadcasts from Japan on shortwave receiving sets, which news broadcasts would apparently be quoted verbatim in the "North American Times". Perhaps one-third of the news reports would be of this sort, another one-third devoted to news reports originating through American news agencies and another one-third devoted to items of local significance.

The individuals mentioned below were interviewed by a Special Agent of the Portland Office of the FBI during 1942.

On May 6, 1942, KIUDA OUCHIDA, Route 1, Box 70, Gresham, Oregon, who was born on March 18, 1880, at Fukuoka, Japan, and who entered the United States during August of 1905, at Tacoma, Washington, said that he was a member and on the Governoring [sic] Committee of the HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI. He explained that this was an American kendo or fencing organization. He was on the committee from 1939 to 1941. He said that he never paid dues in the organization but only joined so that [DELETED] could learn fencing. This cost him $1 per month. He said that one [DELETED] was [DELETED] the organization and [DELETED] around [DELETED] Oregon. OUCHIDA said that the organization is known in Japan as Kodu Gakuin. He stated that the organization had their own school located at Tokyo, Japan.

OUCHIDA advised that [DELETED] in Japan, was a [DELETED] and that he had visited [DELETED] for a period of about [DELETED] during which time he [DELETED] which OUCHIDA attended. He stated that [DELETED] could be considered [DELETED] the [DELETED] the school in [DELETED]. While fencing was prevalent in that area prior to the time [DELETED] [Tokichi Nakamura] visited [DELETED] there was no known organization. OUCHIDA stated that since that time it has been known as the HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI. He further advised that [DELETED], a school in [DELETED], Oregon, and that he believed that one TAKASHI INUZUKA was the president there. OUCHIDA advised that the organization had never sent any money back to Japan and that it was only organized because [DELETED] [presumably Nakamura] stressed the fact that fencing was good for health. He stated that it was purely a physical culture organization.

On May 6, 1942, RIKIZO SHIIKI, Route 1, Box 416, Gresham Oregon, who was born on September 6, 1888, in Japan, and who entered the United States during November, 1906, at San Francisco, California, stated that he joined the HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI during 1937 and was a member of the organization and served on its Governoring [sic] Committee until 1940. He said that he never paid any membership dues himself but did pay 50¢ per month for each of his two sons who took fencing lessons. He said that the organization was [DELETED] by [DELETED], who resided at [DELETED], but who then lived in Japan. SHIIKI advised that TAKASHI INUZUKA was president of the organization, NICHOLAS HOROGAMI was vice-president and treasurer, and ICHIO SATOH was an officer of the organization. He said that meetings were held in the Japanese Nichiren Church in Portland.

RIKIZO SHIIKI said that in 1940 the committee in [DELETED] [Gresham] which controlled the organization was composed of SHIGEJI OHASHI, KIUDA OUCHIDA, [DELETED], and BUKICHI FUJII, all of whom were then aliens, and who were then residing at [DELETED] [Gresham]. SHIIKI said that [DELETED] [presumably "Nakayama, who took over" the Kodu Gakuin School when he returned to Japan in [DELETED]. He said that the organization had never sent any money to the support of this school in Japan and that none of the members in [DELETED] [Gresham] had received copies of the magazine which was published by the school in Japan. He admitted that he knew that MITSURU TOYAMA, reputed founder of the Black Dragon Society in Japan and the Sokuku Kai organization in this country, was at the head of the HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI in Japan.

On May 6, 1942, SHIGEJI OHASHI, Route 2, Box 53A, Gresham, Oregon, who was born on December 1, 1886, in Japan, and who entered the Untied States on December 24, 1905, said that he joined the HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI during 1936 or 1937. He said at that time it was an organization formed by the parents of children who desired to learn fencing. He further advised that the organization was composed of four or five boys. He said that the following persons were organizers: [DELETED], KIUDA OUCHIDA, [DELETED]¸BUKICHI FUJII, [DELETED], all of whom were then residing in [DELETED] [Gresham], Oregon, or vicinity. OHASHI said that in [DELETED], KIUDA OUCHIDA, who at this time was in Japan, made a tour of Oregon and put on [DELETED] [exhibitions] in the [DELETED] [Portland] area. OHASHI said that [DELETED] [Nakayama] at the time of this interview, was [DELETED] [head of] the Kodu Gakuin School in Japan. He said that originally [DELETED] [Nakayama] came to this country as [DELETED] for a [DELETED] in Japan. After being in this country for a short time he decided to [DELETED] because he believed that the Japanese youth were more or less weaklings and needed some exercise. OHASHI said that [DELETED] [Nakayama], who was living in California, was the [DELETED] [headmaster of] this school and that [DELETED] his pupils continued the instructions.

SHIGEJI OHASHI said that he knew TOYAMA, organizer of the Sokoku Kai organization was an honorary advisor of the HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI in Japan. He said that many people who had returned to this country from Japan had advised him of the fact. OHASHI said that the organization never sent any money to Japan and that he never saw any magazine published by the organization. He advised that prior to [DELETED] for Japan he gave him $10 and his picture and that thereafter the picture was published in the magazine put out by the Kodu Gakuin, although he never saw a copy of it. OHASHI advised that INUZUKA was president of the organization in Portland and NASHINO was treasurer.

PD 65-1096

ADMINISTRATIVE PAGE

[DELETED], mentioned herein, was contacted on April 30, 1956, as related in the report of SA [DELETED] entitled [DELETED] Translator – Applicant, Department of State, Washington, D.C.; SECURITY OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES", Portland, dated May 1, 1956.

The information attributed to interviews by the FBI in 1942 in Portland was located in a memorandum for the file dated June 24, 1942, and contained the results of interviews by SA [DELETED]. The memorandum contains considerable details concerning the family background and entry information of the individuals who were interviewed. Only information which appeared to be pertinent to this inquiry concerning HOKUBEI BUTOKU KAI was extracted and is included in this report. This memorandum is located in Portland file 100-3438-3.

REFERENCE: Bulet [Bureau Letter] to Los Angeles 7/31/56.