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TI: So today is Wednesday, January 20, 2016, and we're in San Jose at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. And on camera is Dana Hoshide, and I'm the interviewer, Tom Ikeda. And so, Misa, I'm going to start at the beginning. Can you tell me where and when you were born?

MT: I was born in Seattle, Washington, on January 18, 1925.

TI: Oh, so your birthday was two days ago.

MT: Yes, it was.

TI: I'm sorry, what year were you born?

MT: 1925.

TI: So that makes you, you just turned ninety?

MT: One.

TI: Ninety-one, wow. Congratulations. And where in Seattle were you born? Was it a hospital?

MT: At home.

TI: Okay, so it was like a midwife?

MT: Yes.

TI: By any chance, do you know who the midwife was?

MT: A Mrs. Uyeno, I think. I'm not sure, but it sounds right to me. [Laughs]

TI: And what was the name given to you at birth?

MT: The only name I was given was Misae.

TI: No middle name?

MT: No.

TI: And let's start with your father. Can you tell me your father's name?

MT: Kinuta Uno.

TI: And where was he from in Japan? Where did he live in Japan before he came to the United States?

MT: From Okayama, Japan. I can't remember the village, or I don't know how they classify them, the area.

TI: Do you know what kind of work the family did in Okayama?

MT: I think they were more like farmers.

TI: And do you know why he decided to come to America?

MT: Oh, I'm not sure, but I think I heard stories about they think that, well, you know, life was very difficult for them, and I think they hear stories that if you go to America you can make money. And the idea was to make money and take it back, go back to Japan.

TI: And in his family, did he have any brothers or sisters?

MT: My father, he had, I think, sisters, but I'm not really sure. I know they died early, so I can't remember how long they survived. But I think he did have a sister.

TI: Okay, but no brothers, no younger brothers?

MT: No.

TI: Because oftentimes I hear about how it was oftentimes the second or third son that left. But in this case he was the oldest son.

MT: I think he was the oldest son, yes.

TI: And do you know about how old he was when he came to America?

MT: I'm not sure, but the story I think we were told was that he was in his teens, but I'm not sure exactly.

TI: Yeah, that always amazes me when I think about these teenagers going to a whole new country and not knowing the language and doing that, just astounds me.

MT: Yes. I was rather surprised to hear that when I learned that myself. [Laughs]

TI: And do you know about what year he came to the United States?

MT: That I cannot remember. I'm sure I must have heard it somewhere, but I can't recall.

TI: Okay, that's fine. And then when he came to the United States, what did he do?

MT: Well, I know that he worked for farmers, he didn't have any real talents otherwise, and it was the only thing he probably knew. But I think they somehow find out about Japanese farmers who were already there, established, who could use workers, I think that's how he started.

TI: And was this in the Pacific Northwest that he was farming?

MT: Yes.

TI: At this point, was it kind of like in the South Park area?

MT: Yes. Well, I'm not sure about that either. Actually, I can't remember, but I think they must have been in that area. Because he had never talked about living in another area in the Seattle area.

TI: Okay, so this would be just a little bit south of Seattle proper and southwest of there.

MT: Yes.

TI: Kind of currently where Boeing Field is right now in Seattle.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2016 Densho. All Rights Reserved.