Trailblazers
The absc honors REV. SEISHIN KIYOSHI YAMASHITA
By Dennis Yamashita and Koshin Yamamoto (sons)
Rev. Seishin Kiyoshi Yamashita, circa late 1970s.
Rev. Seishin Kiyoshi Yamashita at the podium, circa late 1970s.
The U.S. Government recruited him to teach Japanese language at the military language academies for the Army and Navy. After three years, he moved to New York City to pursue his master’s degree in economics when he met Rev. Hozen Seki, pursuing his deep interest in Jodo Shinshu. Rev. Seki invited him to live at the American Buddhist Academy while attending Columbia University. Our father assisted Rev. Seki in all aspects of the New York Buddhist Church. Their relationship deepened to a point where Rev. Seki tried to recruit him to remain at the Academy to groom him as his future successor. Their friendship and mutual admiration continued throughout their lives.
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Our father made the difficult decision to decline Rev. Seki’s offer and took a civilian position with the State Department to work in post-war Tokyo during the U.S. occupation of Japan. He started attending Tsukiji Hongwanji and along with four other Nisei men, started the International Buddhist Association (IBA) in 1950 and held Sunday English language worship services for the hundreds of Nisei there. IBA was the first English language worship service in the Jodo Shinshu tradition and was strongly supported by the Monshu in Kyoto. The IBA immediately flourished, as it met the needs of the hundreds of Nisei who were in Tokyo at that time. It was there that he met our mother Hideko Yamashita, nee Yamamoto, whose father was the head priest of Myouenji temple located a half block from Tsukiji Betsuin. Every Sunday, Rev. Yamashita conducted worship services at Tsukiji styled after the Buddhist Churches of America Sunday services. Even now, son Koshin Yamamoto continues the family tradition of providing leadership in planning the English language services which are offered at Tsukiji Hongwanji.
IBA Service with Rev. Iwamoto and Rev. Seishin Kiyoshi Yamashita, circa late 1970s
After almost 40 years, our father retired. Instead of returning to Seattle, he was recruited by Mr. Yehan Numata, President of Mitutoyo Corporation and benefactor of Nishi Hongwanji, to be the President of the Numata Center of Buddhist Research and Translation in Berkeley in 1986. He led the organization until 2005. During that time, he was often the guest speaker at Berkeley Buddhist Temple and other temples in California as well as the greater Seattle area.
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Rev. Yamashita and Rev. Seki retained a very close relationship throughout their lives. He often credited Rev. Seki with deepening his appreciation and understanding of Jodo Shinshu.
A visit with Rev. Seishin Kiyoshi Yamashita and family in 2014. From left to right, ABSC President Hoshina Seki, Rev. Yamashita (seated), son Dennis, Marrie Yamashita, and Yasuko Ito. Marrie is Rev. Yamashita’s second wife. Back in 1971 as Miss Hata, she was the second grade teacher of Kamala Harris at Thousand Oaks School in Oakland, CA. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Yamashita)