<Begin Segment 10>

MN: Now, when you were in Wakayama, why did your family enroll you in school?

JM: Because we went there in February and during school time, and my aunt was one of the teachers, fourth grade, so they put us (in school), and they went, toured throughout Japan. But you know, I was in a habit of studying with Symon Sato, so in Japan I (...) used to go home and study. I was at the top of the class. Then she put me into the fifth grade, I went right to the top. I was really surprised.

MN: But when you first got there you weren't in fifth grade, right?

JM: Fourth grade.

MN: And what --

JM: No, oh, in Japan?

MN: Uh-huh.

JM: No, in States I was in junior high school.

MN: But when you first got to Japan, (what) grade did they put you in?

JM: Fourth grade.

MN: And because you studied hard you were put into fifth grade. How much Japanese did you speak when you got to Japan?

JM: We spoke Japanese, but mixed Japanese, Terminal Island Japanese.

MN: So when you went to school in Japan did the kids laugh at you?

JM: They used to call us Amerika-san, and they didn't really laugh at us. They enjoyed us.

MN: You know, Wakayama had the Amerika-mura, so were there Niseis in your school or around your area?

JM: No, only one guy was from the States. He was in the class. He was couple years older than I was, and his uncle was the principal of the elementary school. He was really rough. (...) Kids get in trouble, they line them up in the front, then they'll genkotsu, you know? [Makes a fist] And my friend's name was Kiyoshi.

MN: Now how would you compare the Japanese school system to the American school system?

JM: American Japanese?

MN: Or, I guess, the Terminal Island school system to the school in Japan.

JM: They're really strict (in Japan). Over here we used to get by. We never studied. Every time we had exam we're copying each other, we're making the same mistakes. [Laughs] But the teachers weren't strict.

MN: So when you say in Japan they were strict, how were they strict?

JM: Well, you can't fool around. You can't go to the movies. They have movies at school; (but) we're not allowed to go. And they regimented everything, history, they have different subjects.

MN: Did you have to line up in the field in the morning and do the exercises?

JM: Yes. That's a good idea. Every school should have that.

MN: Did you have to bow to the Emperor's photo also?

JM: Yes. I don't know, I don't remember that part too well, but we used to bow toward the, Tokyo, I guess.

MN: Did you also have to clean the classrooms?

JM: No. They had... oh...

MN: Soujitouban?

JM: I guess so. The student, the girls used to clean up.

MN: But you don't remember doing it?

JM: No.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright © 2011 Densho. All Rights Reserved.