<Begin Segment 5>

[Translated from Japanese]

TY: Changing the subject, did you have any interesting experiences or embarrassing stories when your children started school? Handing the wrong things to your children to take to school, or any other funny stories?

YI: Well, there must have been some, but I don't remember any more.

TY: Satoru was at school age when you and your family returned to Seattle, wasn't he?

YI: What about Satoru?

TY: When you and your family returned to Seattle in 1936, Satoru and other children were school age, weren't they?

YI: Oh, yes. He just entered kindergarten. Kindergarten.

TY: Then your children grew older and one by one started going to school.

YI: I told you this before, but Shinya was born during a pitch dark night two days before the war started.

TY: That's why he is named "Shinya."

YI: Because of the blackout, we couldn't turn on the lights.

TY: You said that a midwife came to your home.

YI: Yes, the midwife came. Her name was Mrs. Beppu.

TY: With only a flashlight. You must have had a hard time. The war started and you didn't know when the baby would be born.

YI: No. We usually know. Since we know a baby is born after nine months. A midwife will tell you on which date a baby will be born.

TY: I see. So you didn't worry too much? During such a hectic time, you didn't worry when the baby would be born?

YI: No. Some women might get confused about the dates and end up waiting for one month or so. It must be very boring. My children were born on the due dates or near then. All of them.

<End Segment 5> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.