Interviews

1. Living in a colony (Japanese)

2. Life as a student in São Paulo (Japanese)

3. Makegumi - Movement to regognize the defeat of Japan (Japanese)

4. What prompted heavy religious involvement (Japanese)

5. Experiences in the inland colony (Japanese)

Kinoshita,Masao

A central figure for the “Makegumi” (defeatists)

Life as a student in São Paulo (Japanese)

(Japanese) It was the night of September 6th, 1922, when I left for Sao Paulo. The reason I came to Sao Paulo was for education; I wanted to go to school so bad that twice I sneaked out of my uncle’s house during the night, but got caught both times… so I couldn’t accomplish my goals—my dream was put on hold until I turned 20. And at 20 years old, in 1922, I finally reached Sao Paulo.

I was at Sao Paulo University, and while teaching night school, I attended the prep program for the Mckenzie school of engineering… then, I was called over to the PTA…which later became known as the Education Expansion Committee…but anyway, I was called over to help teach Portuguese, set up prep courses for junior high school entrance exams, and basically began working as an educator. But being in Sao Paulo, I really wanted to take advantage of studying for myself, and studied hard to get accepted into the university. I really, really wanted to study engineering. But when I got accepted to Mckenzie, I was at almost the entire day, every day… and of course, I’m a struggling student if I’m not making a living outside of school… I needed time to make a living… so I wasn’t able to continue at Mckenzie, as I dropped out soon after I got accepted. Then, I entered the law program. With law, I would have more time for myself, and would be able to work my way through school, so I decided to go with that.

Brazil education Portuguese language São Paulo universities

Date:

Location: Brazil

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Interviewee Bio

Masao Kinoshita moved from Santos port and settled in the farmlands during World War I. He worked at a São Paulo coffee plantation with fellow Nikkei immigrants, and also helped carry on the development of the colonies. Facing a tough reality in an unfamiliar land, as well as a strong ambition to focus on education, he twice attempted to escape from the plantation, but failed. He was forced to return to the farmland. He was blessed with the opportunity to attend school in São Paulo a few years later, and moved to the city. While working, he attended school and studied law. Post-World War II, he was a central figure in leading a movement to help the Japanese community in Brazil recognize and accept defeat in the war, in opposition of the Emperor’s League (Shindo Renmei) which spread false propaganda declaring Japanese victory. (June 22, 2007)