KITAGAWA, Joseph Mitsuo. Osaka 8.3.1915 — Chicago 7.10.1992. U.S. (Japanese-born) Scholar of Religion. U.S. citizen 1955.  Born in a Christian Japanese family, his father, Chiyokichi Kitagawa, was episcopal priest, grew up in Japan. Studied theology at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, graduated B.A. 1937. In 1941 went to the U.S.A. for further theology studies at Berkeley. During the war interned in Idaho, released 1945. Ordained Episcopal priest. Now further studies at Chicago Divinity School, Ph.D. 1951. Then teaching there, finally as the Head of History of Religions Department, 1970-80 also Dean of Divinity School. Retired in 1984. Collaborated with Eliade. Died of pneumonia. Married 1946 sociologist Evelyn Mae Rose (1920–2007), their daughter Anne Rose Kitagawa (b. 1965) is a specialist of Japanese art.

Publications: Diss. Kobo-daishi and Shingon Buddhism. 1951.

– Edited with M. D. Cummings: Buddhism and Asian history. 11+414 p. N.Y. 1989.

Sources: *F.E. Reynolds & Th.M. Ludwig (eds.), Transitions and Transformations in the History of Religions: Essays in Honour of J.M.K. Leiden 1980; Grokipedia; Wikipedia (also articles of his wife and daughter).