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TI: Today is Thursday, April 30, 2009, and on the camera is Dana Hoshide, and then interviewing, my name's Tom Ikeda. And so, Tom, why don't we just start from the very beginning. Can you tell me when you were born and where you were born?

TK: I was born September 4, 1916, and I was born right next to the Nippon Kan Hall down... let's see, is that Washington Street? There were two houses there, they're not there now, but where Nippon Kan Hall is, the first house, I was born there. That would be Maynard, I think.

TI: And so a midwife helped deliver --

TK: Midwife, yeah. At that time, it was all midwives.

TI: So 1916, that would make you...

TK: September 4, 1916. Ninety-two.

TI: Ninety-two years old. Good. And what was the name give to you at birth?

TK: Takao. T-A-K-A-O.

TI: And so where did the name Tom or Thomas come from?

TK: It's a Baptism name, Thomas. I was Baptized on the feast (day) of St. Thomas, I guess.

TI: Before we get to your life, I want to ask a little bit about your parents. So can you tell me your father's name?

TK: Masuichi. M-A-S-U-ichi, Masuichi Kobayashi.

TI: And where was he born?

TK: Okayama. That's the prefecture, Okayama, Japan. I don't know the prefecture.

TI: Oh, that's okay. How about, do you know what his family did in Japan, what kind of work they did?

TK: No, I don't know. It was a farming area, as I recall. Because when I went to visit there, during the occupation, it was a farming area.

TI: Do you know why he decided to come to the United States?

TK: Well, I think, I'm not sure. He was the second son, so he, apparently he had to leave. I'm not sure of the custom then. The first son stays in the family there, so the second son, I guess, had to leave, second and third, I think. I'm not sure.

TI: And how would you describe your father? What kind of person was he?

TK: He was a good worker, agriculture. So when he came over to the United States, he, well, he eventually ended up doing gardening work, landscaping. In fact, you saw my yard, that was done by Kubota Gardens.

TI: I know, it's gorgeous.

TK: Yeah, it's Japanesey. It was done by Tom Kubota. You probably know him.

TI: Uh-huh. So that's a little bit about your father, but how about your mother? What was your mother's name?

TK: Kumayo, K-U-M-A-Y-O, Emi, E-M-I, Emi.

TI: And where was she from?

TK: Same area.

TI: And do you know anything about her family, what they did?

TK: No, I don't know.

TI: And do you know when your parents got married? Was it in Japan or was it here?

TK: It was in Japan. Dad came over first, went back, and then they both came over, I think separately, later, different ships.

TI: And by any chance do you know about when your father --

TK: 1914.

TI: Is when your father first came?

TK: I think he came about 1914. Then he got back.

TI: And then shortly later, then you were born, 1916.

TK: Then I came around, yeah. [Laughs]

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.