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TI: So tell me a little bit more about Collins Playfield. Like how many kids? Were they mostly Japanese or was it mixed races?

TK: Well, see, Collins Playfield was, at that time, I think it still is, three levels. The fieldhouse, and then the playground with the swings, and then on the bottom was a baseball field. So it was, you asked about the nationalities, well, there were Japanese, Chinese, Jewish, the Jewish community was just up the street, black (people), lots of blacks. You name it, everybody was there.

TI: And how did all the races get along with each other?

TK: We got along real good. That's why we never knew discrimination. We didn't know. 'Cause they were all one, we were all one bunch.

TI: And so growing up, did you have what you would call friends that were different races? Like someone who was maybe Jewish or Chinese?

TK: We were all friends, yeah. Because we met there at Collins Playfield, I remember Mr. Sandviggen, he was the man in charge, and he brought us all together.

TI: And do you think he consciously tried to get you all playing together?

TK: That's a good question. I think he must have, because now that we think of it, we never knew discrimination. Like I was a second baseman, and somebody must have been a pitcher. Oh, the pitcher was Italian, I think. They were good players.

TI: Good. So let's talk a little bit about school. What was the first school that you went to?

TK: First school I went to was, well, kindergarten, which was right kitty-corner from the present Japanese Baptist Church there. You know where the housing is now? Yesler Housing?

TI: Yes. So kind of where Boren...

TK: Boren and, I can't... but it was kitty-corner from the Baptist church there, so it would be right across.

<End Segment 4> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.