 The family returned to their home in the Central District, and his father resumed his pharmacy work.Shimomura was not yet fully aware of the implications of the racial hierarchies around him – he happily played a game called "Kill the Jap" with the sons of artist Paul Horiuchi, who lived across the street – but, as he grew up, he felt increasing anguish over the conflict between his father's wish that he become a doctor, and his own desire to follow in the footsteps of his three uncles, who were all commercial artists.After graduating from Garfield High School, Shimomura began studying graphic design at the University of Washington, earning his BA in 1961.