Amy Kakimoto Oral History

Amy Kakimoto Oral History

Born on January 26th, 1911 in Kobe, Japan, Amy Kakimoto immigrated to United States at age twelve or thirteen. In 1928, she married her husband Ikuo (Ikey) Kakimoto, a Santa Barbara native who owned and operated a produce store at the corner of Anacapa and Canon Perdido Streets before the outbreak of World War II. Residing on East Haley Street, Amy Kakimoto and her family attended the Japanese Congregational Church prior to the war which became Bethany Congregational Church after the war. Along with the other Japanese Americans in Santa Barbara, Amy was interned during World War II. She was first sent to the Tulare assembly center and then to Heart Mountain internment camp for approximately four years.

Above Photo: Amy Kakimoto pictured in the 1940s.

Clip 1: One of the only Japanese American families to retain their house during internment, Amy recounts how her husband Ikey, with a little help from his friend Clarence Rouse, was able to accomplish this feat.

Clip 2: Amy reminisces about “Kakimoto Corner,” where the Kakimoto family lived and operated a produce stand on the corner Anacapa and Canon Perdido

Clip 3: Amy discusses her job as a knitting teacher, which paid a whopping ten dollars a month, at Heart Mountain Internment camp during World War II.

Clip 4: Living in the Presidio with prominent community members, Amy fondly remembers Elmer Whittaker and his philanthropic presence in the neighborhood.

October 3, 2008

SBTHP

Barbara Lindemann

Amy Kakimoto

1 hr, 36 min