<Begin Segment 8>

AI: We're continuing with Frank Yamasaki. And Frank, I wanted to bring you back again before World War II, to ask you just one more question about leisure, leisure activities and what the Issei and, of course, the Nisei would do.

FY: Well, the Isseis, at least my parents, both were very -- working very hard. You know, I grew up thinking that that's all they had to do in life is just work. Their, Sunday was the only time where they would, we would all go into town, and they would go to the temple for the service, and that was their social life, and I would cut out and go see a movie. And I know what time to get back. Other days, there would be -- special events where they would have shibais, the entertainment at the Nippon Kan Hall -- that's the community center. They would have church picnics, and that would be another leisure moment for them. They would... they have, of course, the Bon Festival, where in those days, they had almost equal amount of men out there dancing as women. And the most, most of the men were in costume, which was very colorful. That was about the extent.

And I'm jumping around a lot, but when the -- the point of going to the concentration camp, there were good points, too, because I don't think I could ever recall the Issei having that much time for their own personal interests, activities, and leisure time to be involved in. The Niseis -- this is prior, before World War II -- at least the one in the cities were involved in sports. They had leagues that was sponsored by community or the temple or JACL. They had what they call the Courier League. And they would have dances at special occasion. And they even had a band in the community. They were called the Mikados of Swing, and of course, in those days, Glenn Miller was a very popular bandleader.

AI: Now, were you involved in the band, or did you attend dances?

FY: No, I -- unfortunately, we -- well, unfortunate on one side, we lived out in the country, so the activity were all in the city. At the same time, the advantage of growing up in the country is only appreciated after I grew, grew up. It was a much more healthier life than living in the city.

<End Segment 8> - Copyright © 2001 Densho. All Rights Reserved.