<Begin Segment 38>

AI: When was the first time you saw that picture of yourself? Do you remember?

FH: Well, it was in a magazine. My nephew was interested in photography, and it was in a photography magazine.

AI: And he saw it?

FH: He saw it, and he said, "Auntie, your picture's in there." What picture? And he says, "It's a evacuation picture." I didn't know what he was talking about. So he brought the magazine to show it to me. And, I guess that's me all right. But, still I thought, because in a photography book I thought maybe, you know, light effect and something, must have been just right or something, or some, but. It was black and white, too. But, I guess... found out it was a good picture I guess for, I don't know why.

AI: Well, maybe we should take a little break so we can get that picture and bring it over. Take a closer look at it.

[Interruption]

FH: Oh yeah.

LH: There you go.

FH: She was asleep, naturally.

LH: And, about how old was she at the time?

FH: She was about eleven month... she had a birthday, I think, she was just walking, starting to walk. From furniture to furniture. But she quit completely after we went to the camp because, floor was all wood, and she, she was scared. And knot holes, that's when I had to carry her all over. Uh-huh. Yeah.

LH: And, was that her toy?

FH: Huh?

LH: Was that her toy, down there?

FH: A little bear. This was a maroon jack -- suit coat. Maroon coat had a hat to match, I don't know where the hat is.

LH: Did you sew her outfit?

FH: No, didn't sew anything. Still have the, they wanted to -- this purse -- in Las Vegas, to re-mail it out.

LH: Well, this picture is now, this is a poster for the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit, isn't it? And you were mentioning that you got the call from the Smithsonian, and this is, they asked you, "Is this you for sure?"

FH: Yeah. It was scary day. I could see, so afraid. This, this was first at Bend Oregon, they had a show. That, they were calling me "mystery lady," until then. Sign for me too, in the back.

LH: That's right. Now, on that day, what were you most afraid of?

FH: Afraid what would happen to us. Uh-huh. How long we have to stay away. What would happen to the house when we come back. You know. Lot of rumors going on. We thought maybe we all have to be sent to Japan. There was all kinds of rumors in the camp. And, one who was born, don't get citizen, and all that. Just, we didn't believe it, but, still, there is a rumor.

LH: So, when you see this photo now, what does it make you think of?

FH: I remember the time. How scared we were.

LH: In that time when you were afraid, what kept you going? Were there people in your family that supported you?

FH: Oh sure. You realize you're not the only one on the boat. Everybody is in same trouble. And, it's a war. You have to, it was a duty, I guess. We didn't like it but can't help it.

LH: You know, there was an interesting quote from some of the correspondence you had with James Omura, and, who was the publisher of The Rocky Mountain Shinpo.

FH: Oh yeah.

LH: Yeah. And, in some of your writing, you said, to him, "Best to trust the government to take charge and be patriotic." And, James took a little exception with that...

FH: Yeah, he didn't like it.

LH: But could you explain your thinking?

FH: Well, he, I think he was a smart guy. He stood for what he wants to. I said, "Well, it's a war, we gotta follow it, do that." He thought, he shook his head, "Okay, Miko, you're wrong."

LH: So, you and your husband, and your relatives just felt this was the best approach? To trust your government and to be patriotic?

FH: Oh yeah. No use arguing, huh?

<End Segment 38> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.