Min Tonai Interview I Segment 25

Born in San Pedro, California (ddr-densho-1000-354-1) - 00:05:42
Father's family background and immigration to the United States (ddr-densho-1000-354-2) - 00:09:01
Father's early life in the U.S.: living in Bellingham, Washington (ddr-densho-1000-354-3) - 00:06:27
Father returns to Japan and is conscripted into the Japanese army (ddr-densho-1000-354-4) - 00:05:13
Description of the prewar Terminal Island community (ddr-densho-1000-354-5) - 00:05:33
The prewar fishing and cannery industry on Terminal Island (ddr-densho-1000-354-6) - 00:06:00
Father's early small business attempts (ddr-densho-1000-354-7) - 00:03:53
Mother's family background (ddr-densho-1000-354-8) - 00:11:18
Description of siblings (ddr-densho-1000-354-9) - 00:03:44
Early memories of younger brother being born (ddr-densho-1000-354-10) - 00:02:06
Going to Japan with family as a child (ddr-densho-1000-354-11) - 00:13:21
Older siblings are left in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-354-12) - 00:05:26
Returning to the U.S. and attending school (ddr-densho-1000-354-13) - 00:06:52
Learning to speak English (ddr-densho-1000-354-14) - 00:05:26
Being placed in an "Opportunity Class" in school (ddr-densho-1000-354-15) - 00:08:15
Attending Japanese language school (ddr-densho-1000-354-16) - 00:10:08
Learning discipline in school (ddr-densho-1000-354-17) - 00:04:52
Family receives a visit from two FBI men (ddr-densho-1000-354-18) - 00:06:30
Hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor from a relative (ddr-densho-1000-354-19) - 00:07:55
Description of father's successful prewar business (ddr-densho-1000-354-20) - 00:10:14
Mother keeps the family business running after father's internment (ddr-densho-1000-354-21) - 00:05:54
Having some choice in removal process (ddr-densho-1000-354-22) - 00:06:20
Being able to choose which permanent concentration camp to go to (ddr-densho-1000-354-23) - 00:12:44
Witnessing the Santa Anita riot (ddr-densho-1000-354-24) - 00:09:44
The journey to Amache by train (ddr-densho-1000-354-25) - 00:07:29
Discussion of Amache and its surroundings (ddr-densho-1000-354-26) - 00:07:24
Attending school in camp (ddr-densho-1000-354-27) - 00:10:17
Being called upon to teach a high school class in camp (ddr-densho-1000-354-28) - 00:06:37
Father's wartime experiences (ddr-densho-1000-354-29) - 00:08:13
While in camp, seeing classified documents calling the government's wartime motives into question (ddr-densho-1000-354-30) - 00:08:20
Having difficulty adjusting to school after leaving camp (ddr-densho-1000-354-31) - 00:11:33
Parents try to rebuild their lives after the war (ddr-densho-1000-354-32) - 00:11:18
Reflections (ddr-densho-1000-354-33) - 00:04:08
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ddr-densho-1000-354-25 (Legacy UID: denshovh-tmin-01-0025)

The journey to Amache by train

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

00:07:29 — Segment 25 of 33

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September 2, 2010

Densho Visual History Collection

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

ddr-densho-1000-354

Min Tonai

Min Tonai Interview I

04:07:57 — 33 segments

September 2, 2010

Los Angeles, California

Nisei male. Born February 6, 1929, in San Pedro, California. Grew up on Terminal Island, California, where father ran several successful stores. During World War II, removed with family to the Santa Anita Assembly Center, California, and the Granada (Amache) concentration camp, Colorado. After leaving camp returned to California to attend school. Served in Korea and Japan during the Korean War.

(This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.)

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

API