Frank Sumida Interview Segment 14

Born in Chicago, Illinois (ddr-densho-1000-261-1) - 00:01:47
Father's work as a chef in Detroit (ddr-densho-1000-261-2) - 00:02:55
Description of mother (ddr-densho-1000-261-3) - 00:02:43
Losing older siblings to influenza; family moves to California (ddr-densho-1000-261-4) - 00:03:48
Early memories of living in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-1000-261-5) - 00:04:07
Getting into fights as an adolescent (ddr-densho-1000-261-6) - 00:05:06
Supportive teachers in school (ddr-densho-1000-261-7) - 00:04:26
Involvement in judo (ddr-densho-1000-261-8) - 00:08:20
Encounters with Japanese gangsters as a teenager (ddr-densho-1000-261-9) - 00:10:07
Description of prewar Los Angeles's gangster element (ddr-densho-1000-261-10) - 00:04:29
Learning to be self-sufficient growing up (ddr-densho-1000-261-11) - 00:02:57
Learning how to cook at an early age (ddr-densho-1000-261-12) - 00:02:36
Consequences of Pearl Harbor: losing father's restaurant business (ddr-densho-1000-261-13) - 00:07:40
Memories of a unique customer in family's restaurant (ddr-densho-1000-261-14) - 00:06:07
Involvement in a so-called "riot" while in assembly center (ddr-densho-1000-261-15) - 00:11:04
Working as a debt collector for an organized gambling operation in camp (ddr-densho-1000-261-16) - 00:04:59
Impressions of Heart Mountain (ddr-densho-1000-261-17) - 00:04:08
Father's choice to have family move to Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-18) - 00:03:04
Education disrupted by camp (ddr-densho-1000-261-19) - 00:03:10
Working as foreman of camp's gas station (ddr-densho-1000-261-20) - 00:07:16
Leaving camp temporarily to work (ddr-densho-1000-261-21) - 00:08:13
Transferring to Tule Lake (ddr-densho-1000-261-22) - 00:06:30
Memories of Tule Lake during martial law (ddr-densho-1000-261-23) - 00:02:37
Being warned to stay out of trouble at Tule Lake (ddr-densho-1000-261-24) - 00:05:25
Being transferred to Santa Fe (ddr-densho-1000-261-25) - 00:06:27
Thoughts on the pro-Japan groups (ddr-densho-1000-261-26) - 00:05:32
The Isseis' belief that Japan was winning the war (ddr-densho-1000-261-27) - 00:05:31
Conflicts at Tule Lake during the segregation period (ddr-densho-1000-261-28) - 00:09:09
Reunited with gangster boss at Santa Fe (ddr-densho-1000-261-29) - 00:07:38
Involvement with gambling on sumo tournaments (ddr-densho-1000-261-30) - 00:06:36
Expatriating to Japan ahead of family, going to family home (ddr-densho-1000-261-31) - 00:04:17
The journey by boat to Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-32) - 00:03:50
First impressions of Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-33) - 00:07:12
Reuniting with family in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-34) - 00:05:00
Witnessing the poor treatment of father's business partner (ddr-densho-1000-261-35) - 00:04:16
Finding a job with the U.S. military in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-36) - 00:06:17
Participating in the black market in occupied Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-37) - 00:04:04
Using cooking skills to find a job in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-38) - 00:06:51
Working as a supply officer for the U.S. military government (ddr-densho-1000-261-39) - 00:06:16
Meeting girlfriend in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-40) - 00:07:28
Losing job with the U.S. military government because of Japanese American ancestry (ddr-densho-1000-261-41) - 00:06:30
Inner workings of the black market (ddr-densho-1000-261-42) - 00:08:03
Continued involvement with gangster element in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-261-43) - 00:07:43
Reobtaining U.S. citizenship with the help of Wayne Collins (ddr-densho-1000-261-44) - 00:07:46
Deciding to return to the United States (ddr-densho-1000-261-45) - 00:04:29
Returning to the U.S.: a difficult decision (ddr-densho-1000-261-46) - 00:04:48
Reflections (ddr-densho-1000-261-47) - 00:03:19
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Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-261-14 (Legacy UID: denshovh-sfrank-01-0014)

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Memories of a unique customer in family's restaurant

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.

00:06:07 — Segment 14 of 47

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DATE

September 23, 2009

LOCATION

PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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Densho
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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-261

NARRATOR

Frank Sumida

INTERVIEW TITLE

Frank Sumida Interview

04:22:36 — 47 segments

DATE

September 23, 2009

LOCATION

Los Angeles, California

DESCRIPTION

Nisei male. Born August 10, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. Grew up primarily in Los Angeles, California, where parents ran a restaurant. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, removed to the Santa Anita assembly Center, California, where he participating in running an organized gambling operation. Moved briefly to Heart Mountain concentration camp, Wyoming, before being sent to Tule Lake, California, after signing the so-called "loyalty questionnaire." Transferred to the Santa Fe Department of Justice internment camp, New Mexico. Upon wishes of parents, renounced U.S. citizenship and expatriated to Japan. Worked for the military government during the U.S. occupation of Japan. Eventually regained U.S. citizenship and returned to the United States.

(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.)

PRODUCTION

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Barbara Takei, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

TOPICS

FACILITY

PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

RIGHTS

API