Henry Susumu Murakoshi

Henry Susumu Murakoshi was born in Waipahu, Hawaii, on January 21, 1923. His father,  Nobunosuke was from Tokyo, and his mother, Hatsumi (Miyamoto) was born in Honolulu,  Territory of Hawaii. Nobunosuke was a professional photographer, and Henry shared this  passion. He studied and trained in photography in New York City. They founded the  Murakoshi Photo Studio, first in Kalihi, then moved to Waipahu. 

Henry enlisted on January 28, 1946, and was posted at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He became a  Tec 5 and served in the Army’s Military Intelligence Service (MIS) as a translator in post-war  Japan. He was honorably discharged on June 28, 1947. 

Henry fell in love with Jane Natsue at a party, and they married on February 12, 1955. Together  they raised two girls, two boys, and settled in a home atop Halawa Heights. Henry and his dad  built this house in Aiea in the 1950’s. Somehow, they had the foresight to build a two-story  house with a four-car garage. 

Henry then worked as a photographer for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. He also photographed  private weddings and special events. Jane was a skilled seamstress, leaving school at the age  of 15 to learn the trade. She professionally sewed upholstery covers in her later years. 

Jane and Henry were avid ballroom dancers, Jane serving as President of the Ballroom  Dancing Association. Henry was also skilled in the Japanese art of Kendo sword fighting. He  loved the sayings, “Bend like the bamboo, don’t break,”and “You’re tough, Japanese don’t get  seasick.” While Jane’s favorite was, “Always learn everything you can.” They were well suited,  because both were even-tempered, and rarely angered. For fun, he would read the  encyclopedia and she would dance. Henry and Jane are buried at the National Cemetery of  the Pacific at Punchbowl.