<Begin Segment 6>

BF: So was it hard at all growing up as a Christian in Japan and in a Christian family? Did other children, were they mean to you or at all...

MH: That time, my time is different. See, but her time, father's time, is very hard. My father was disowned by the family and father's funeral, he couldn't attend. And then he said two blocks away. He was watching that parade. And then his mother is the only one notice him and then bow him from jinrikisha. That's what I heard.

BF: And your mother also had it difficult from her family, too?

MH: I don't know. She never tell me about that.

BF: But it wasn't so bad for you and your brothers. It was when you were growing up in Japan being a Christian it was a little easier?

MH: No. I went to the high school Hiroshima. Hiroshima-ken is known for the Buddhist. So class, I was quite a bit talked about Christianity by the teacher.

DG: That you should not participate in Christianity by the -- what did the teacher say?

MH: The teacher said, "Who is a Christian? Raise the hand and stand up." That's the way. And then two other Christian girl come to the church was in the class, but no one stand up. I'm the only one and then he said that Christ was born a maiden, that kind of things shouldn't happen. See, all kind talked about it. None of us thinks I shouldn't be scarred by that things, but I was. [Laughs] But high school graduation paper said I'm a samurai family was on it, Shizoku Miyagi-ken Wada Mutsu. So that time Shizoku is a very high.

<End Segment 6> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.