Densho Digital Repository - Kenneth Narahara Interview (Densho ID: ddr-ajah-1-2-15)

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JT: So now that you're... let's say that we're in our second half of our life, you look back, what do you think were the best times for you in your life? Your lifetime, not your grandparents, not your parents, but for you? What was the best time in your life?

KN: Hard to pick.

JT: Oh, that's good. I think that's a good sign.

KN: When you're a kid, all you did was play and play marbles and stuff like that. You grow up and you got friends that are, we'd do baseball all together and go camping and things. I don't think I missed out too much.

JT: I don't think so either.

KN: I've had a full time.

JT: Do you have anything, I know you have two children, do you have any advice you would like to give them, to pass along to them?

KN: I don't know. They are what they are now, I'm proud of them. They go to school, they worked hard, they're smart, honest. Hard to tell. But I think children will follow your parents, and I followed my parents.

JT: Role model.

KN: And the role model on that, and I try to be role model.

JT: You're a good role model.

KN: Well, I hope so, but sometimes I wish I was a little bit better. There's a lot of things I'm not telling you. [Laughs] Always tell you the good thing.

JT: Then we'll have to spend more time together.

KN: Is that an approach? That's great. I'm all for that.

JT: Well, is there anything... so may I just ask you one last question? That what you think... you already told me what your dad taught you or showed you as a role model, to be hardworking, gaman, tough it out. Do you think that was good advice?

KN: Yeah.

JT: And would you pass that along, are you passing that along to your kids?

KN: Yeah. I want them to work as hard as they can. Don't let it... even if you fail, you got to keep going.

JT: Pick yourself up and keep going.

KN: That's it, that's it. What do you say? You say you lost a battle but won the war. And I think that's so, that's what life is, I think. You got a lot of battles, and now you, but you got to win the war.

JT: And that means, what does winning the war mean to you?

KN: Well, I don't give up on the battles. I mean, I lose in the battle, but I keep going.

JT: You keep going.

KN: Sure. I'm going to win the war.

JT: I will say that I'm going to think about that a little and agree with you, but I have to wait and live a few more years.

KN: Why?

JT: Because I'm not as old as you.

KN: You don't have to be.

JT: You think I should do that now?

KN: Yes, you have a battle every day. You have a battle every day of your life. I have a battle every day of my life, and I lose some battles and I win some battles, but you've got to win the war, I mean, the whole thing, World War II, you've got to win it. There's no no to that.