From the Rev. Seiichi Mike Yasutake and Rev. José Alberto Torres Galleries

Biography of Rev. Seiichi Michael Yasutake

Rev. Seiichi Michael Yasutake, a second generation Japanese American, was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and has been an Episcopal priest since 1950 in the Chicago area. Since 1983, he has been the Executive Director of Interfaith Prisoners of Conscience Project (IPOC), which he founded with the purpose of mobilizing support in church and society for the release of political prisoners in the United States and of monitoring prisons on human rights concerns. IPOC is sponsored by the National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA.

In addition to supporting the people who have joined the struggle for Puerto Rico’s independence, as executive director of the Interfaith prisoners of Science Project, Mike has fought for the civil rights of blacks who have taken a stand against racism, native Americans who have demanded the return of their land, people who have witnessed against nuclear development and the rights of indigenous peoples. Mike has been active in the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) for more than four decades. He served on the National Executive Council (NEC) a number of years and last year traveled to Las Vegas to participate with other NEC members in civil disobedience at the Nevada nuclear test site.

In addition to supporting the people who have joined the struggle for Puerto Rico’s independence, as executive director of the Interfaith prisoners of Science Project, Mike has fought for the civil rights of blacks who have taken a stand against racism, native Americans who have demanded the return of their land, people who have witnessed against nuclear development and the rights of indigenous peoples. Mike has been active in the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) for more than four decades. He served on the National Executive Council (NEC) a number of years and last year traveled to Las Vegas to participate with other NEC members in civil disobedience at the Nevada nuclear test site.

In the late 1970s after a hiatus of 53 years, he took up kendo again for exercise and discipline for characteristic fervor and up to the last week of his death, practiced twice a week at the local dojo in Chicago. He achieved the rank of 5th degree black belt when he was 73 years old.

Michael assisted at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Evanston and was priest-in-charge of a Japanese Episcopal Congregation at St. Peter’ Episcopal Church, Chicago. He is survived by three grown children, David and Greg Yasutake, and Sandra Yasutake Connors, and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings, Tosh and Joseph Yasutake, and Mitsuye Yamada.

"Y en pago de mi amor"

Juan Antonio y Consuelo Lee Corretjer, “Y en pago de mi amor", artist, Efrain Osorio, donated to the PRCC by the artist, 1986.

More on Juan Antonio Corretjer. More on Consuelo Lee Corretjer.

 

 

 

 

"Para Doña Isabel"

"Para Dona Isabel", mixed media, artist, Juan Sanchez. Donated to the PRCC by the artist in 1998.

More on Isabel Rosado. More on Juan Sanchez.