<Begin Segment 19>

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

TI: And when your father was released, were you at Minidoka?

SA: I was still there because my mother wouldn't let me go, 'cause we'd lose (our) room, and she'd have to go to the singles' (dormitory-like) room, and she was darned if she was gonna do that. [Laughs] She didn't care, she was gonna keep me there. And so I really had put in for the February 1944 class and he wasn't yet released (and I was worried). And this is why Irene went out and she went on to Peoria. And so I was (too late to go with her), so Father Tibesar had me go to St. Mary's. This is why we were in different schools, and I was in Rochester, (Minnesota).

TI: So at what point did you hear that your father was going to be released?

SA: Well, it was just prior to that, you know, and I thought, I'm never gonna make that February '44 class, 'cause he's (not) here (and) it is January (then), he came, he got released... I forgot the date, I had it down someplace, but just prior to that. So I didn't see him for very long at all. It was like we were passing (by) again.

TI: So during that brief time when you saw your father, describe the family reunion with you, your mother, and...

SA: Well, he was really dispirited, I think he was depressed. He never really got back to himself again. As you know, the minute I hit town (in 1947), he quit working. That's the state of his mind at the time. (He didn't want to work again for anyone).

TI: Well, describe the day he came to Minidoka as much as you can. What was it like?

SA: Well, you know, I'm sure he was joyful within, but as all Japanese men are pretty stoic. And my mother was happy, too, but their greetings are, of course, very formal. And I don't know how he felt about our surroundings, but I know he was glad that he was finally together with the family. And I was just more in a hurry to get my things together so I could get out on a bus, and I had to get my pass to go out, and (fill out) the application for leave. And I think I was very upset because I had to check out my things before I left, or I wouldn't be allowed to leave, and that was to check back in the cot and mattress, (etcetera). Of course, my father could take it, I thought, but I had to check 'em all back in, blanket (and all), before I could be released. I thought that was insane. So I'm sorry I can't say too much more, 'cause I think I was so involved trying to get out, and he, of course, coming in, he's observing, but he didn't have much to bring in, too, because he came in with his clothes and that was it.

TI: In that short time, did you notice any changes with your mother in terms of how she was?

SA: Well, I think she was basically relieved that she's no longer (alone), but at the same time, I wondered, 'cause she'd been independent -- [laughs] -- and got to do everything she liked. I'm sure she did (enjoy that). And what my father did immediately (was) he joined the other men and he got a sagebrush piece which he, they used a manual 'cause they didn't have sandpaper. And it's a beautiful piece, he found one that's kind of curved like a fish that I still have, and he found a base to put it on. So he was trying to beautify the place. And (I know) he put in a garden, we all did, and they liked to put radishes 'cause they come up fast, you know, you can eat it even when it's green. You can make tsukemono out of it, and so, if they get rice (from the mess hall). And you can (...) eat in your room, that was a private thing that everyone enjoyed doing. You can only have a hot plate, (with only one outlet in each family room. Dad also made some furnishings, Mom said).

<End Segment 19> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.