<Begin Segment 24>

AI: You know, I wanted to ask you about your parents' religion. And I was wondering, were they Christians in Japan or --

MH: My father became a Christian early in life because of the contact with my mother's cousin, one of the early Christians. Christianity entered Japan through Nagasaki, you remember? And they were badly persecuted. At one period, (in) early twentieth century, there's a city... I mean, in city of Nagasaki there's that great big monument called The Martyrs that were crucified because of their Christian faith. And so it has a strong holding in the city. And I think my father became (Christian), was probably ostracized by his family, and that's probably why he went to Nagasaki to get established and, and pursue his interest in the field of fisheries that landed him into the States. So that's the story. And, of course, my mother and dad were married and had one daughter there, and they were left behind, but (my mother) joined him later. And then the rest of the story goes on.

AI: And what about Iwao's family? They also were Christian.

MH: Iwao's family came from Yamaguchi, and there was quite a group that came from that area. (When he came), he worked as a houseboy (and) learn how to cook and all that. So he's a wonderful cook. And then he and his two other friends (...) started this Grand Union Laundry that became quite a big business (...) enterprise, (hiring) about fifty or sixty people. And the thing that's interesting was it became a center of care (for) the Japanese community. (...) Now we have social security and all kinds of health care and everything. (Back) then with all the language difficulties and cultural (differences), the businesspeople helped their employees with their languages and all that. It was like a social center. Not socially, but all these other things that we now enjoy, but not back in those days. So it became quite an institution, not only as a business enterprise but to care for the Japanese American community. So that's been interesting, so...

AI: And so both your parents and Iwao's parents were both active in the Methodist church --

MH: Yes, they were both --

AI: -- at a very early time.

MH: (...) After the war, (...) Iwao's father was very, very active. Kept in touch with a lot of the Issei families not only, but all the mechanics of running a church, caring for things. He worked diligently. He didn't drive a car, so he walked (...), but it was all within walking area, so, so he had a wonderful life of servicing people and so on.

<End Segment 24> - Copyright © 2004 Densho. All Rights Reserved.