Jim Matsuoka Interview Segment 1

Family background: born in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo (ddr-densho-1000-281-1) - 00:07:24
Memories of Little Tokyo during the Great Depression (ddr-densho-1000-281-2) - 00:06:14
Childhood memories of neighborhood (ddr-densho-1000-281-3) - 00:04:06
Ethnic and class demographics of peers (ddr-densho-1000-281-4) - 00:05:21
Father's economic losses during mass removal (ddr-densho-1000-281-5) - 00:06:34
The day of mass removal (ddr-densho-1000-281-6) - 00:03:47
Adapting to life in camp as a "city kid" (ddr-densho-1000-281-7) - 00:06:04
Remembering an unusual school assembly in camp (ddr-densho-1000-281-8) - 00:02:10
Getting in fights with Japanese Americans from Terminal Island (ddr-densho-1000-281-9) - 00:05:00
Kicked out of block in camp (ddr-densho-1000-281-10) - 00:03:18
Hearing about the Manzanar "riot" (ddr-densho-1000-281-11) - 00:02:40
Quarantined for chicken pox in camp (ddr-densho-1000-281-12) - 00:07:23
Leaving camp (ddr-densho-1000-281-13) - 00:01:30
Living in a trailer park after leaving camp (ddr-densho-1000-281-14) - 00:05:06
Recreational activities as a young person (ddr-densho-1000-281-15) - 00:08:04
Moving back to Los Angeles and attending school (ddr-densho-1000-281-16) - 00:07:32
Beginnings of involvement in gang culture (ddr-densho-1000-281-17) - 00:16:58
Formation of the Black Juans gang (ddr-densho-1000-281-18) - 00:07:17
Description of ally gangs (ddr-densho-1000-281-19) - 00:10:34
Gang rivalry: east side vs. west side (ddr-densho-1000-281-20) - 00:08:15
Obtaining guns (ddr-densho-1000-281-21) - 00:05:26
Becoming a gang leader (ddr-densho-1000-281-22) - 00:10:04
Joining the army as a way to escape gang culture (ddr-densho-1000-281-23) - 00:08:29
Description of Nisei female clubs (ddr-densho-1000-281-24) - 00:08:09
Stopping a fight which could have turned deadly (ddr-densho-1000-281-25) - 00:10:45
Being drafted and stationed in Arizona (ddr-densho-1000-281-26) - 00:15:30
"Beating the system": effecting a transfer to Fort MacArthur, California (ddr-densho-1000-281-27) - 00:09:54
Interactions with WACs in the military (ddr-densho-1000-281-28) - 00:08:19
Working in the aerospace industry (ddr-densho-1000-281-29) - 00:04:10
Influence of the Civil Rights Movement (ddr-densho-1000-281-30) - 00:08:26
Helping to establish the Pioneer Center, providing social services for Issei (ddr-densho-1000-281-31) - 00:05:31
Starting a New Year's mochitsuki event for the community (ddr-densho-1000-281-32) - 00:08:27
Attending the 1969 Manzanar pilgrimage (ddr-densho-1000-281-33) - 00:08:19
Making a controversial speech at a Japanese American Citizens League meeting (ddr-densho-1000-281-34) - 00:08:10
Meeting future wife and getting married (ddr-densho-1000-281-35) - 00:01:11
Getting involved in community organizations (ddr-densho-1000-281-36) - 00:05:38
Protesting Los Angeles' Little Tokyo redevelopment (ddr-densho-1000-281-37) - 00:07:17
The formation of the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations (NCRR) (ddr-densho-1000-281-38) - 00:03:21
Making a presentation at the house hearing during the redress effort (ddr-densho-1000-281-39) - 00:01:53
Strategies for obtaining redress (ddr-densho-1000-281-40) - 00:09:02
Reflections on redress (ddr-densho-1000-281-41) - 00:05:14
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ddr-densho-1000-281-1 (Legacy UID: denshovh-mjim-01-0001)

Family background: born in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo

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.

00:07:24 — Segment 1 of 41

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May 24, 2010

Densho Visual History Collection

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

ddr-densho-1000-281

Jim Matsuoka

Jim Matsuoka Interview

04:38:32 — 41 segments

May 24, 2010

Los Angeles, California

Nisei male. Born July 27, 1935, in Los Angeles, Califonia. Grew up in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo neighborhood prior to World War II. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, removed with family to the Manzanar concentration camp, California. After leaving camp, returned to Los Angeles and attended school. Became involved in gang activity in L.A. in the 1950s. Served in the military from 1958 to 1960. Active in community social service organizations in Little Tokyo, and was one of the integral players in the redress movement.

(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.)

Martha Nakagawa, interviewer; Tani Ikeda, videographer

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

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