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MN: Now, at the time you were born in Little Tokyo, what was your parents doing?

TH: According to my mother, at first, they were operating a hotel. Then later, what she called a sweet shop, which, where they were selling ice cream and that sort of thing.

MN: Do you know where in Little Tokyo? Was this on First Street?

TH: I believe so.

MN: Now, your parents are from Fukuoka. Were they active in the Fukuoka Kenjinkai?

TH: My father was. The way I heard it, he was at one time the kaichou of the Fukuoka Kenjinkai.

MN: What about your mother? Was there a Fujinbu or Fujinkai?

TH: No. I've never heard of anything about that.

MN: Did your father, when he was the kaichou, did he have meetings at your house?

TH: No, I don't remember anything about meeting at the house. I hardly saw him because he was so busy doing whatever, and he liked to drink and have party. It was only after he became sick when I was seven that I began to see him a little bit.

MN: What about kenjinkai picnics? Did you go to those?

TH: No, I can't, I don't remember any.

MN: What do you remember of growing up in Little Tokyo? I know you were very young, but who were your playmates?

TH: As far as Little Tokyo, I don't remember anything. It's only after my, I believe my father got sick with cancer, the family moved to Boyle Heights. And there I remember a little bit. There was a Japanese family across the street, and the rest were mostly a Caucasian family.

MN: Now, do you remember what year your family moved to Boyle Heights?

TH: Probably around, I don't know, 1929, '30 or something like that.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 2010 Densho. All Rights Reserved.