Densho Digital Archive
Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Asano Terao Interview I
Narrator: Asano Terao
Interviewers: Tomoyo Yamada (primary), Dee Goto (secondary)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Date: May 19, 1998
Densho ID: denshovh-tasano-01-0006

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[Translated from Japanese]

AT: My grandpa had passed away, and grandma had passed away, too. When I went back last time, with the new generation, it was different from the past. Also, we don't associate with each other on a regular basis, right? I am over here. The jo does not grow. I returned home thinking that the neighbors here are much better. But still, they are relatives, and they were treating us well because I am from their family. They treated us well, but we didn't have jo for each other because we didn't see each other often. It doesn't work. I took some candies from here with me. I heard that they were short in sweets in Japan, and they were happy with the candies. They were very happy saying that the gift was the best of all, but nowadays, we don't hear from them at all. The generations are different, they are at their children's generation. One of them came to this country to study for a while, came to study in Canada, and he stayed with us for two days and went home. That was it. We no longer have jo or any other feelings. We just think that there are relatives in Japan. So it is like that, human beings are like that. After all, jo wouldn't grow if you don't associate with each other frequently. My sister was visiting Los Angeles, but see, we had lost frequent contact since we came apart when we were young. I can talk about whatever I want to say with my friends here, so it is like this way. Nowadays, those in Japan don't write to us any longer. At my home, even though I send letters to the home I was born in, we have the three-generation difference. One of them came to this country. He stopped by when he came to Canada. We let him stay with us and took him around in Seattle, but when he went home, a letter, we received a polite letter. That was it. I don't write either. But, the grave is still there. Before Obon and the New Year's day, I sent some money as koden. But, I decided not to send since last year. When it is the generation of grandchildren and great grandchildren, there is nothing between us. They want money, so they would write to us saying this and that, but it is ridiculous, so I don't send anything any more.

<End Segment 6> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.