Densho Digital Archive - Asano Terao Interview II (denshovh-tasano-02-0032)

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[Translated from Japanese]

TY: Yes. You were close to your mother, weren't you?

AT: To begin with, that was because my father died early. Don't you think? It would have been a problem if I didn't get along with my mother. [Laughs]

TY: After you immigrated to the U.S., eighty years ago, did you and your mother write the letters to each other frequently?

AT: No, we didn't correspond frequently. Mother also told me that she couldn't really see any more. But, when I sent pictures, she was happy. I also told her not to worry about me since I was doing fine. And, my family, they adopted a son of my uncle, and we had his name entered in the register so that he could become an heir in my family. That's how we did. So, today, his child is taking care of things in the family. He is doing great. So, I had written to him, "My share of the estate, since I am not coming back from the U.S., please give him all of my share of the estate, and instead, please just protect our family grave." He said in the letter that he had sent me, "Oneesan, there is no need to worry. To the grave, I visit with incense sticks every month." I am thinking, "Oh, thank you, thank you." If they keep doing it, then his children would also continue later on. They won't sell the land where the land was added. Only the grave is sho ga nai. I am just hoping that they will protect the family grave. Finally, it was last year, I think... Last year, when was it in the last year, I think it was either the beginning of the last year or the end of the year before last. They bought a gravestone at the temple and moved the family grave there. Then, the temple would burn incense sticks every month. So, I sent 1,000 yen to the temple. I am not sending any more. I am just leaving it as it is. It is at the temple, so they burn incense sticks. There are the anniversaries of my ancestors' deaths. At such times, they visit the grave for us. But, again, I reported to my brother-in-law. He said, "Oneesan, don't worry. I have already told my children, and I, too, visit there every month. The priest of the temple also visits there every anniversaries of our ancestors' deaths." So, I said, "Well, if I have a chance, I will send you money, so please give the money to the temple as an offertory. I haven't sent the money yet. It's because I am not working any more. That's why I haven't sent it yet. Well, I am thinking about sending a little sometime.