<Begin Segment 9>

TI: So let's talk about December 7, 1941. I mean, where were you and what were you doing when you heard about the bombing of Pearl Harbor?

MT: Well, that was on Sunday. Just coming home from, I went to the First Baptist Church, and I was walking home, and went through the neighborhood where some of my friends were. And first thing, they said, "Hey, Mits," I don't know if they said the "Japs" or what, attacked Pearl Harbor, and there was a war going on. So that was a real shock, came running home. But they didn't, they weren't mad at me or anything, but I really don't know if they said "Japanese" or "Japs," but they were the ones that told me that the war, Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor. And came home, really don't know, recollect very much about it, but it must have been a very subdued, frightening experience at home.

TI: Do you recall how you felt when, when you said "subdued"...

MT: I can't, can't say how I felt, but I think we were really bewildered more than anything else. I think we kind of realized we were Japanese at that time, and I think the thought of what's gonna happen to us came into our minds, too.

TI: Did you, do you recall any reactions from your parents, your mother or father, about what Japan had done and how they were feeling?

MT: I can't remember them talking about it, but I think they, in a lot of ways, I think they thought the worst would happen to them. Because there was a lot of prejudice against the Japanese.

<End Segment 9> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.