Densho Digital Archive
Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Sumi Okamoto Interview
Narrator: Sumi Okamoto
Interviewer: Megan Asaka
Location: Spokane, Washington
Date: April 26, 2006
Densho ID: denshovh-osumi-01-0001

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MA: Okay. Today is Wednesday, April 26, 2006, and we're here at the Museum of Arts & Culture. And today I'll be interviewing Sumi Okamoto, and Dana Hoshide is on the camera today. So thank you so much for coming down here.

SO: You're welcome. That's fine.

MA: I wanted to ask you, when were you born?

SO: I was born January 7, 1920, in Seattle.

MA: Where were both your parents from in Japan?

SO: Let's see... Okayama, Japan.

MA: Do you know around when they came to the U.S.?

SO: Well, they must have come just about the time I was born, probably about 1920.

MA: And do you know how your parents met, or how they got married?

SO: No, it's probably... what do you call it?

MA: Picture bride?

SO: Picture bride, probably that way.

MA: And you said you were born in Seattle.

SO: Yes, uh-huh.

MA: So that was the first place they went?

SO: Yes, that's right.

MA: Do you know what they were doing in Seattle?

SO: I don't think they, I don't think they did very much, 'cause they weren't there very long, maybe a couple years or so. Because I, I don't even remember, you know, of course, I was only three years old, but I think they came to Spokane when I was about three, so I don't remember anything.

MA: And do you happen to know why they decided to move to Spokane?

SO: I have no idea.

MA: And you have older siblings, is that right?

SO: Yes, uh-huh.

MA: Can you tell me about your older siblings?

SO: My older sister is Miyo, and then I have, I had a brother in Japan that my folks left because they figured they were gonna come, go back to Japan after they earned a little bit, you know, and go back. And then I have a, the oldest brother, and he passed away, that my, the one in Japan passed away also, and I never did see him. He's my brother but I don't know, I didn't know him 'cause I never went to Japan.

MA: Who did he stay with?

SO: He stayed with my mother's sister, my mother's younger sister.

MA: In Okayama?

SO: Yes.

MA: And your sister, Miyo, was she also born in Seattle?

SO: She was born in Japan, so she had to get her citizenship papers.

MA: Going back to your brother that was in Japan, was your family able to communicate with him?

SO: Well, the children didn't. I remember my mother used to send packages all the time, you know, for clothes and whatever, she was always sending things to him.

MA: I see. So there was still some communication.

SO: Yes, oh, yes, uh-huh.

MA: And do you also have younger siblings?

SO: Yes, I have a younger brother and two younger sisters.

MA: What are their names?

SO: One is Ossie, O-S-S-I-E, and the other is Kimi. They're both married, but Ossie lost her husband just recently, and Kimi, her husband is in Spokane.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.