<Begin Segment 10>

MN: Now, let me ask you about your three oldest sisters. When you were growing up, did you know you had three sisters in Japan?

AS: I guess. I don't remember. We didn't discuss them, they were there. One passed away when she was sixteen with pneumonia. Another sister, to this day, she's still, I think she's still alive, living there with her grandchildren.

MN: Did you ever meet her?

AS: I went once to Japan in the '70s, specifically to see the family plot and to see her. But I haven't been in touch with her.

MN: So did any of the sisters come to the United States?

AS: She could have, 'cause she was born here, but she elected to stay in Japan. Everyone else came, and that was just my oldest sister. 'Cause the other two were born here.

MN: When did your oldest sister come to...

AS: She was nine years old. She was called to come back here to babysit, and she didn't know a word of English.

MN: Did she ever share with you how difficult the adjustment was?

AS: It was very difficult for her. She couldn't call my father Father, not Otousan, but she (called) him Ojisan for a long time... she couldn't get herself to call him Dad.

MN: And I assume she didn't speak any English.

AS: She didn't speak any English. It was very traumatic for her because she was forced to go to school, and she would go to school with all children who were much younger, four, five year olds. It was very difficult for her. She had a very traumatic childhood.

MN: And what about yourself? All of a sudden you have this new sister coming into your house.

AS: No, because by the time I came along she was already probably in high school.

MN: Now, this oldest sister, Kazuko, that we're talking about...

AS: She was the eldest, yes.

MN: She married in 1940. Can you share with us what her wedding was like?

AS: Oh, it was a very large event in our family. My father was so proud and had to have a big, huge wedding. And she had to wear the kimono for the reception, and we had the reception upstairs. I forgot the name. Sanko Low? It's upstairs. I remember the stairs, I don't know why. That was the place to go in those days.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright &copy; 2012 Densho. All Rights Reserved.