I Attacked Pearl Harbor: The True Story of America's POW #1

by Kazuo Sakamaki

The December 7, 1941, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and the subsequent detention and internment of America citizens of Japanese ancestry are two of the most shocking events of the past century.This is an eyewitness account of both, by the only known midget submarine skipper who survived the attack and who also became United States Prisoner of War #1.Originally written in Japanese by Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki shortly after the war and translated into English by Toru Matsumoto, this book has long been unavailable and out of print. This new edition preserves the original story exactly as told and translated plus includes photographs and annotations to help you better understand the once top-secret midget submarine and the universal nature of the trials and tribulations of a young Japanese sailor caught up in the whirlwind of World War II.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

153 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2017

Reviews

[Kristine Ohkubo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting first-hand account of the militarization of Japan and the ensuing post-war culture from the viewpoint of Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki, the first Japanese captured and detained as a P.O.W. in the United States following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Sakamaki not only provides a glimpse into the traditional Japanese culture which prevailed both before and after the war, albeit to a lesser degree, he also offers his own observations of the culture of a country which Japan regarded as its enemy.

Through his tranquil and subjective story-telling, Sakamaki conveys how a person who has the humanity trained out of him by a mercilous military regime has the power to change and become a human being in pursuit of his own happiness once again. Readers become aware of a young military man’s mindset, characterized by a strong sense of duty both to his country and family, and follow along as that mindset slowly evolves while in captivity in the enemy nation and after his repatriation to Japan.

Further, we peer into the lesser understood Japanese society and culture struggling to learn and move beyond its rigid feudalistic past in an effort to become more democratic, more Western, more American.

A highly recommended read for those who want to learn about the Japan we did not know and the America that has changed drastically from what we used to know and love.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book full of first hand historical accounts and insight. I visited Pearl Harbor and this is one of the books I picked up there. The majority of the book is probably more about Sakamaki's time as POW in the camps. I was surprised he often encountered the interred Japanese American citizens in some of the camps he stayed in. His account of being a prisoner, along with other men who were taught to value suicide as the last valoric act, is so thought provoking. Sakamaki has a lot of wisdom from his time in prison (4 years). This book is a valuable account.

Pearl Harbor now presents a lot of both sides of the attack. This is not a surprise given that Japan and the US are on friendly terms. But also Hawaii sees a large influx of Japanese tourists, in addition to the Japanese heritage Americans who live on the island. It makes sense to see a balanced presentation of the history. Visiting Pearl Harbor memorials and museums now is a really educational event, not just emotional. It's the perfect tribute to those who fell there.

[Pei-jean Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the pre and post war life of the man who was the first Japanese prisoner of war captured by the Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor. For Kazuo Sakamaki who commanded one of the midget submarines that were meant to enter Pearl Harbor and launch their torpedoes at the American Pacific Fleet (and despite the Japanese success with the aerial attack the submarine attacks were not successful) his war would end rather anticlimactically when a faulty gyroscope resulted in his submarine been sent off course miles away from his intended target.
It was eye opening to read the thoughts that ran through Sakamaki’s mind from the time of his capture and how he came to view the Japan he grew up under while imprisoned on the American mainland and how that would shape him in the Japan he returned to following the end of WWII.

[Maggie Stiefvater · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief first person account by a Japanese seaman who navigated one of the handful of suicidal two-person microsubmarines during the attack on Pearl Harbor, POW #1. This was written for a Japanese audience, not an American one, to explain—to justify—his transformation in the POW camp, from cog in the military machine to something more complex. The chapter on Japanese POWs and suicide was harrowing; I didn't intentionally read this so soon after seeing Oppenheimer, but it certainly was a potent pairing.

[James Wingerter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read, especially as someone who grew up in the US learning about the war in the pacific from an American perspective. It takes a very mature, reflective, philosophical, and possibly spiritual person to truly appreciate this book. It is not especially well written since it was translated directly to English from Japanese. But It is a raw, authentic, first hand account, in the truest sense, of a war and post war physical and spiritual journey. Would recommend to anyone interested in expanding their world view and looking for though provoking, light reading.

[jj Grilliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so been wanting to read this book! For years it was only available as the original published in the late 40s and cost hundreds of dollars. I looked just last week and found it had been re-released in 2017! This book is so good! To hear how a Japanese sailor's mind worked and how his mind changed being around Americans. It is such a good story. The re-release has many photographs. You can see the sub in Fredericksburg, TX.

[charles p. chafee]

Gives a first hand account of one of the lesser known aspects of Pearl Harbor.

One of the best aspects of this book is the author's
story of his personal feelings before and after the attack and Japan's philosophy of war and his change through his experiences that mirror Japan's through the postwar years to the nation it is today

[Carmen DaVinleam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astonishing words

This account is unlike any other. I was in awe the entire read. I hope others read and understand. The other side is an interesting one.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I visited Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. When I saw this book, I was intrigued to understand the mindset of the enemy and their honor.