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Imprisoned Apart: The World War II Correspondence of an Issei Couple
"Please don't cry," wrote Iwao Matsushita to his wife Hanaye, telling her he was to be interned for the duration of the war. He was imprisoned in Fort Missoula, Montana, and she was incarcerated at the Minidoka Relocation Center in southwestern Idaho. Their separation would continue for more than two years.
Imprisoned Apart is the poignant story of a young teacher and his bride who came to Seattle from Japan in 1919 so that he might study English language and literature, and who stayed to make a home. On the night of December 7, 1941, the FBI knocked at the Matsushitas' door and took Iwao away, first to jail at the Seattle Immigration Stateion and then, by special train, windows sealed and guards at the doors, to Montana. He was considered an enemy alien, "potentially dangerous to public safety," because of his Japanese birth and professional associations.
The story of Iwao Matsushita's determination to clear his name and be reunited with his wife, and of Hanaye Matsushita's growing confusion and despair, unfolds in their correspondence, presented here in full. Their cards and letters, most written in Japanese, some in English when censors insisted, provided us with the first look at life inside Fort Missoula, one of the Justice Department's wartime camp for enemy aliens. Because Iwao was fluent in both English and Japanese, his communications are always articulate, even lyrical, if restrained. Hanaye communicated briefly and awkwardly in English, more fully and openly in Japanese.
Fiset presents a most affecting human story and helps us to read between the lines, to understand what was happening to this gentle, sensitive pair. Hanaye suffered the emotional torment of disruption and displacement from everything safe and familiar. Iwao, a scholarly man who, despite his imprisonment, did not falter in his committment to his adopted country, suffered the ignominity of suspicion of being disloyal. After the war, he worked as a subject specialist at the University of Washington's Far Eastern Library and served as principal of Seattle's Japanese Language School, faithful to the Japanese American community until his death in 1979.
Imprisoned Apart is the poignant story of a young teacher and his bride who came to Seattle from Japan in 1919 so that he might study English language and literature, and who stayed to make a home. On the night of December 7, 1941, the FBI knocked at the Matsushitas' door and took Iwao away, first to jail at the Seattle Immigration Stateion and then, by special train, windows sealed and guards at the doors, to Montana. He was considered an enemy alien, "potentially dangerous to public safety," because of his Japanese birth and professional associations.
The story of Iwao Matsushita's determination to clear his name and be reunited with his wife, and of Hanaye Matsushita's growing confusion and despair, unfolds in their correspondence, presented here in full. Their cards and letters, most written in Japanese, some in English when censors insisted, provided us with the first look at life inside Fort Missoula, one of the Justice Department's wartime camp for enemy aliens. Because Iwao was fluent in both English and Japanese, his communications are always articulate, even lyrical, if restrained. Hanaye communicated briefly and awkwardly in English, more fully and openly in Japanese.
Fiset presents a most affecting human story and helps us to read between the lines, to understand what was happening to this gentle, sensitive pair. Hanaye suffered the emotional torment of disruption and displacement from everything safe and familiar. Iwao, a scholarly man who, despite his imprisonment, did not falter in his committment to his adopted country, suffered the ignominity of suspicion of being disloyal. After the war, he worked as a subject specialist at the University of Washington's Far Eastern Library and served as principal of Seattle's Japanese Language School, faithful to the Japanese American community until his death in 1979.
316 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 25, 2022
A ~100 page biographical sketch followed by the correspondence of the title, between a husband and wife held at different internment camps for over two years.
A tough read, and a great one for anyone interested in the topic.
A tough read, and a great one for anyone interested in the topic.
January 22, 2016
Louis Fiset, 1997
The book is about Iwao and Hanaye Matsushita Issei, meaning that, at the time, they were not allowed to become U.S. citizens. Iwao was interned in a INS camp as an "enemy alien" at Fort Missoula. His wife was in Seattle, then was shipped to the Puyallup, Washington assembly center, then to the Minidoka, Idaho internment camp.
They had been married in 1919 and were never parted until the government interned them in two different camps 23 years into their marriage.
The author starts off recounting the younger lives of the two and their journey to the U.S. He also writes about the anti-Japanese hostility that was present even then in Seattle then goes on to cover the events immediately after Pearl Harbor and the arrests of Japanese Americans by the FBI.
Next is a discussion of the Fort Missoula center where Iwao ended up. The application of the Geneva Convention terms to the camps is discussed and problems and violations of that agreement that occurred at Fort Missoula. The author also goes into the kinds of activities the internees had, especially in relation to the crafts, and the population changes at the center as various prisoners were released into the community.
The book the moves into the evacuation of Japanese Americans from Seattle to Puylallup assembly center. Fortunately Iwao was finally able to join his wife at Minidoka. The book then goes into their lives after the end of the internment.
The next part of the book consists of their correspondence while they were separated. It gives the reader a good insight into exactly what was happening in their lives within the camps. Quite interesting, especially with the historical material added that puts everything into context.
The book is about Iwao and Hanaye Matsushita Issei, meaning that, at the time, they were not allowed to become U.S. citizens. Iwao was interned in a INS camp as an "enemy alien" at Fort Missoula. His wife was in Seattle, then was shipped to the Puyallup, Washington assembly center, then to the Minidoka, Idaho internment camp.
They had been married in 1919 and were never parted until the government interned them in two different camps 23 years into their marriage.
The author starts off recounting the younger lives of the two and their journey to the U.S. He also writes about the anti-Japanese hostility that was present even then in Seattle then goes on to cover the events immediately after Pearl Harbor and the arrests of Japanese Americans by the FBI.
Next is a discussion of the Fort Missoula center where Iwao ended up. The application of the Geneva Convention terms to the camps is discussed and problems and violations of that agreement that occurred at Fort Missoula. The author also goes into the kinds of activities the internees had, especially in relation to the crafts, and the population changes at the center as various prisoners were released into the community.
The book the moves into the evacuation of Japanese Americans from Seattle to Puylallup assembly center. Fortunately Iwao was finally able to join his wife at Minidoka. The book then goes into their lives after the end of the internment.
The next part of the book consists of their correspondence while they were separated. It gives the reader a good insight into exactly what was happening in their lives within the camps. Quite interesting, especially with the historical material added that puts everything into context.
August 7, 2013
This book contains the letters of a Japanese couple who were separated into different "relocation camps" during WWII. Iwao Matsushita was in Fort Missoula, Montana and his wife Hanaye was sent to the Minidoka center in southwestern Idaho. Before the letters begin, the first part of the book details the lives of this couple in Seattle. It was not surprising that their characters, their Christian beliefs and their acceptance of hard work as a necessary, integral part of life is exhibited through the letters.
With all of our modern means of communication, it's hard to grasp that written papers were the only means for Iwao and Hanaye to speak to each other. His deep concern whenever letters from his wife were delayed was evident. These letters speak of simple things; friends, the weather, food, shelter and encouragement to each other to hold on and trust God. There are so many pieces to the puzzle of World War II and I found this small, often-ignored piece fascinating.
With all of our modern means of communication, it's hard to grasp that written papers were the only means for Iwao and Hanaye to speak to each other. His deep concern whenever letters from his wife were delayed was evident. These letters speak of simple things; friends, the weather, food, shelter and encouragement to each other to hold on and trust God. There are so many pieces to the puzzle of World War II and I found this small, often-ignored piece fascinating.
May 5, 2010
I enjoyed this book, especially the last part of the book where Fiset included the couple's letters in their entirety. I found it heart breaking and tender to read their letters back and forth. They were separated for a little bit over two years. When I think of being separated from my husband for just a few weeks it makes me sad!
Fiset's part which described the Matsushitas' lives together was not boring but very biographical. I was impressed that a Professor of Dentistry wrote it.
Fiset's part which described the Matsushitas' lives together was not boring but very biographical. I was impressed that a Professor of Dentistry wrote it.
July 13, 2013
The FBI rounded up Iwao Matsushita shortly after Pearl Harbor and imprisoned him in an INS center in Missoula for the next two years, leaving his wife, Hanaye, alone to cope with her own incarceration a few months later at the Puyallup fairgrounds and then at Minidoka. The fascinating book details their history followed by copies of their letters during their separation. A must read for anyone with an interest in the Japanese American WWII incarceration.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews