Mitsumyo Tottori

Quick Facts: Who was Mitsumyo Tottori?

Subject:

Mitsumyo Tottori

Known for:

Buddhist priest active in Hawaii, known for memorializing Japanese American soldiers.

Born:

1898-05-06

Died:

1976-01-06

Century / Era:

1898s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Mitsumyo Tottori (May 6, 1898 – January 6, 1976) was a Buddhist priest and missionary who was active in Hawaii. He was one of the few Buddhist priests in Hawaii who was not interned during World War II, and is best known for the memorial tablets he created for Japanese American soldiers in the 442nd and 100th. Tottori was born in Shizuoka, Japan on May 6, 1898. He studied at what is now Shuchiin University, and graduated in 1924. He then studied at the Koyasan before being assigned a mission in Hawaii.

Career & Major Achievements

Tottori moved to Hawaii in 1925 and served at the Hawaii Shingon Mission in Honolulu. In 1927 he became the priest at the Komyoji Temple in Wailuku. He met and married Aiko Fujitani before returning to Oahu to serve at the Koshoji Temple in Haleiwa. Tottori also regularly wrote for the Hawaii Mikkyo, a Buddhist publication. On December 7, 1941, right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tottori was brought in for questioning.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He was released a few days later, unlike many other Buddhist priests who were interned for the duration of World War II, because the articles that he wrote for the Hawaii Mikkyo and other publications advocated for the Americanization of Japanese immigrants in much the same way that Yemyo Imamura had. Throughout the war, Tottori held private services and wrote memorial tablets (Tōba) for Japanese American soldiers who had died on the battlefield. He maintained a prayer book for them regardless of their own religious beliefs. He also gave them posthumous Buddhist names. After World War II, he conducted services for men who died in the Korean War.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1898 (1898-05-06): Birth of Mitsumyo Tottori — Buddhist priest active in Hawaii, known for memorializing Japanese American soldiers.
2. 1924: 1924 Milestone — He studied at what is now Shuchiin University, and graduated in 1924.
3. 1925: 1925 Milestone — Tottori moved to Hawaii in 1925 and served at the Hawaii Shingon Mission in Honolulu.
4. 1927: 1927 Milestone — In 1927 he became the priest at the Komyoji Temple in Wailuku.
5. 1941: 1941 Milestone — On December 7, 1941, right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tottori was brought in for questioning.
6. 1976 (1976-01-06): Passing & Historical Legacy — Mitsumyo Tottori passed away on 1976-01-06, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mitsumyo Tottori

True or False: “Mitsumyo Tottori was interned by the US government for the entire duration of World War II due to his Japanese heritage.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He was one of the few Buddhist priests who were not interned for the duration of WWII because his writings advocated for the Americanization of Japanese immigrants.

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• 1898 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1898
• May 6 (05-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 6
• 1976 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1976
• January 6 (01-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 6

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