<Begin Segment 9>

TI: Before we started the interview, I think you were able to visit, kind of, the old neighborhood that you grew up. And someone mentioned that there was a, like a small door. Can you tell me about that? Describe the door, where it was, and how that was used.

EK: Oh, that door was, let's not put it, like a typical door, it was just a piece of wood that closed the outside from the inside. And it was probably opened by means of a little latch or something. And then the, since our home was heated by a wooden stove, he was aware of the fact that I needed a lot of kindling wood. So then if he had some boxes that had to be destroyed, or not destroyed, but dismantled, he would give it to me. And then he also gave me some magazines and so forth that he had collected. And that door was about, oh, about ten feet from the edge of his apartment. And then he would say, "Here's something for you." So he would open it up, I would get the kindling wood and the magazines and take it home.

TI: And who was this person that did this?

EK: I don't recall his name. I don't recall his name.

TI: Was he a Japanese?

EK: No, no, he's a Caucasian, no. At that time, I wasn't too interested in what his name was or what his ancestry was.

TI: And how was, what was his demeanor when he would do this? Was he friendly?

EK: Friendly prior to December the 7th, yes. And like most Caucasians, most Caucasians, their attitude understandably changed after December the 7th. Some, of course, were sympathetic, but the majority sort of looked at you with a jaundiced eye.

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