Densho Digital Archive - Takashi Hoshizaki Interview (denshovh-htakashi

<Begin Segment 6>

TI: So let me switch gears a little bit, talk about organized activities. I mean, there are things like, I'm not sure, judo or, or things like that. Were there things that, there were adults who organized things for the kids?

TH: Well, at the time, kendo was one and then judo, as organized... and basically that was it for (...) the Japanese side. And then we had the Boy Scouts.

TI: But before we go to Boy Scouts, the judo and kendo, tell me a little bit in terms of, like, how that was organized. Who, who would do the organizing in your neighborhood for that?

TH: Oh, gee, I really don't know, except that the judo was organized to the point where there were, I guess you might call it an association for, say, Southern California, and there were several judo schools. Hollywood was one, and I think that there was one maybe down in what we called the uptown area, down around what's now Olympic Boulevard, and then the San Gabriel Valley was one. And we would (...) have our tournaments and our judo schools would be competing against each other. But thinking back, yeah, I think it was organized enough, with the Japanese people, and so I guess the older people got together and I guess even the parents got in and did that.

TI: Okay. You're, you were just gonna tell me next about Boy Scouts. Tell me about the Boy Scouts.

TH: We, the Boy Scouts that I associated with, the one down in Saint Mary's... and so I guess turned twelve, and are eligible for the Boy Scouts and I joined Troop 33. We had a good time, and there wasn't any real push to (advance in rank). I've forgotten now, can't remember, but if then finally you pass all your lower requirements, then you finally start taking your merit badges, and if you get enough merit badges you go up the rank. I think it was Star, Life and then finally the Eagle. But I guess the 33 group, we had a great time playing games (...), and it wasn't really organized to push ahead and the real desire to be Eagle Scouts. But finally they, I think just before the war broke out, they, (...) the parents said, "We got to get this thing organized." And so we began (...) reading and studying for our merit badges. But then again, December 7th came along and that ended that.

TI: I'm curious how some of the Issei felt, or maybe your, your father. So here he had a store, you were the oldest son, so I'm guessing that he needed your help at times at the store. How receptive was he for you to spend time with the Boy Scouts and to put the time to get badges?

TH: Oh, yeah, he was very receptive to that. In fact, he would push to that, some of the activities, and now thinking back on that, I remember the Boy Scouts, I guess, out of Southern California had just organized, I don't know whether it might've been a jamboree or tour to Japan, and I remember my dad asked me if I would want to go (...) to Japan (...). But the troop that I was in had activities going on and I said no. I said I'd rather stay here, and I forgot why, what we were planning to do, so (I) turned that offer down. So my dad was very receptive (...).

TI: Good. Other, other than that one encouragement to go to Japan with the Boy Scouts, were there any other opportunities for you to go to Japan, whether with the family or, or other activities?

TH: No (...). Well, as a youngster, yes. (...) I can't remember, must've been about the nineteen, late 1920s, I think we went, went back, and for what reason I don't, I don't know.