Densho Digital Archive
Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Sharon Tanagi Aburano Interview I
Narrator: Sharon Tanagi Aburano
Interviewers: Tom Ikeda (primary); Megan Asaka (secondary)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Date: March 25, 2008
Densho ID: denshovh-asharon-01-0025

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[Ed. note: This transcript has been edited by the narrator]

TI: But go back and describe how your father was picked up and the sequence of events that led up to your father's pick up.

SA: Well, you know that E.O. 9066 came in February (1942), mid-February. Father was picked up February the 20th. You know, from then on, you watched the dates and it really goes pretty quickly. But the first warning we had was when Mr. Mukai, (who had the Atlas Theatre), came running over, and he had to get back (but) he said the FBI were coming through (his front entrance, so) he went out the back door (to warn my dad).

TI: And so they were coming after him?

SA: Yes. He knew that they were coming because the person (picked up) ahead of him had told him (he was next). What the FBI had was (a photo of the group), and the JACL people got blamed for this because they were cooperating (with the FBI). Someone had given them this picture of the Hinomarukai (gathering), which is the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Japan, Veterans of the Japanese (Army) -- and (the FBI were) rounding up everybody in the picture, because they had (served in the Japanese army). Of course, I think that year my father might have been the (head) which made it worse for him. And consequently, he was moved every two months, which was unusual, throughout the two years he spent. I mean, the letters kept coming in, he was at (Fort) Missoula and then he was at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, he was at Lordsburg, New Mexico, he was in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he went to Kooskia, Idaho. I said, "Why are they moving him?" To this day, the only thing I can think of, they thought he was dangerous. Everybody else went to Lordsburg and stayed there, went to Crystal City, they stayed there. Not my dad, he was getting (transferred) all over the place.

TI: That's interesting. I've never heard anyone get moved that much.

SA: Me, too. I'm just really astounded. But that's the only reason I could think of.

TI: Okay, but let's go back again and so Mr. Mukai comes running in and says...

SA: My dad wasn't home, he was out purchasing things (for the store).

TI: Okay, and so who was at home when...

SA: My mother.

TI: And what was the reaction of your mother at this point?

SA: Well, I guess she was wondering what to do with the FBI if they came because my dad wasn't there. Well, he would be coming home, though, she knew that. And (the FBI agents) stayed 'til he came home. My sister and I were sitting talking about this.

TI: Well, what happened to Mr. Mukai? I mean, 'cause he kind of...

SA: Oh, he got taken the minute (he returned, since) they were waiting for him, too.

TI: Oh, so he just went back and then...

SA: Oh, he went back and got picked up.

TI: So he just, he just came by to warn...

SA: He wanted to tell us that, you know, a little warning that (Dad's) next. And I don't know who my dad was supposed to tell. (...)

TI: So it was almost like they knew the sequence of who was coming next.

SA: Yeah, because (of that photo and) we're close by. And the others had already been taken, the ones they knew.

TI: So while the FBI was at your house, what did they do?

SA: Well, they went right through looking for the contraband (items), which they considered (dangerous, like) any shortwave radios, any communication devices, the cameras, the projectors and things of that nature. And, of course, any weapons, of course, they were looking for that. Or anything that would connect them to spying or espionage.

<End Segment 25> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.