Japanese films in the US

[wlt4 at mindspring.com]

Does anybody know what the first Japanese films to be released in the US were?  I have read that Naruse's "Wife Be Like a Rose" was shown in NYC before the war but I've checked the New York Times and don't find any listing for it.  Also, after the war supposedly Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" (under the title "The Magnificent Seven" which is still how it's listed for its Oscar in the Academy records) was the first Japanese film for that period.  Again, I've had trouble confirming or disproving this; maybe just limited research skills....

Thanks, LT