<Begin Segment 20>

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

SP: [Showing a map printed in a newspaper article]. So we're looking at a prewar map of the Bellevue area, in the Bellevue Journal American. And so you can see all of the rental properties that were being managed by Japanese, as well as the properties in the darker color, of properties that were owned by Japanese. So starting here, this area here, is what is now downtown Bellevue Square. And Sumie, can you tell us where your parents' original rental farmland was?

SA: Well initially, before, right across from Bellevue Square is Lincoln Square. And right in that vicinity, is where they actually leased the land. But the ownership of their land was here.

SP: Their ten-acre property.

SA: Ten-acre property, with five other families. And it was virgin forest so they had to clear it. (By) horse and buggy, they went every day, from Northeast Eighth, which is the busiest street in Bellevue today. And they went back and forth (to clear) the land. (...) But the land in the Lincoln Square area was leased land, (about 5 acres). And it was not very productive, according to my dad.

SP: And I also want to point out this block of land here, item sixteen, which was the farmland, the 104 acres that was owned by the Kawakamis, which is the family that Sumie talked about.

SA: Yeah, and they were purchasing their land, (...) they had bought it in 1936 and (purchased it through a relative) who was a citizen.

SP: In order to process the paperwork.

SA: Yeah, in order to purchase the land.

[Interruption]

SP: [Showing a panoramic photograph]. So we're looking at a photograph taken in 1934 of Bellevue. And Sumie, can you just point out for us where the farmlands were that the six families owned property?

SA: Well, they were, the Takeshitas had thirteen acres. But their land extended a little bit further. And then ours was ten acres. So this is the Takeshita/Hashiguchi family.

SP: And that's the family you stayed with when you came back from Tule Lake.

SA: Yes, we did. Yes. And this is our farm here.

SP: Okay, so this is the Suguro farm.

SA: And in it, approximately five acres on this side, and then there was a railroad track here. I'm sure that when you cross Northeast Eighth it's still there. And those five acres approximately on this side. And then up the hill, too. And this is the Aramaki farm. And this was the Hayashida farm, but they had rented it from a relative. And over here is the Fuwa farm. And he didn't go back either. They sold their land, I believe to the Itos. Because they, and then this was the Yamagiwa farm, and they went on to Chicago; they discontinued farming.

SP: Now, adjacent to the railroad track, is that where you would say the cemetery was?

SA: Right here. Yes, there's a street over here, a little bit. And 116th was where the cemetery, so it was like right across from where we were. I think it was about four blocks over west of where we lived, because our farm ended then maybe a few more blocks was the cemetery.

SP: And can you tell me a little bit about the little lake or pond area? Did you, what were your experiences of hanging out and playing when you were a kid? Did you spend much time around these areas?

SA: Well, you know, we had to help on the farm a lot. It was lots of work, (and during our) spare time (we pulled weeds). We had to work every minute of our spare time (like our parents). And I'm sure that anyone who farmed in Bellevue could tell you this. We didn't have too many pleasures.

SP: Sure, but did the children go ice skating when the lake would freeze over in the winter?

SA: Yeah, it was during the wintertime. (When we did have some time, with no crops). We only had one pair of ice skates, and it was usually too big. And we'd go sledding and it used to freeze over. But not now, like I said, restaurants here, condominiums here (there on the lake front). (...) (And it is near) the overpass (which) my girlfriend was walking on. (...) (It's a major) thoroughfare, (it goes right past Lake Bellevue). And so... I always feel very nostalgic when I go there (and see Lake Bellevue). (...) I Love Sushi is over here. [Laughs] And then the Crab Pot is over here. And then there's a lot of condominiums along here.

<End Segment 20> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.