<Begin Segment 7>

TI: So I'm going to now go to December 7, 1941, and want you to kind of describe that day as much as you can remember. What were you doing when you first heard the news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor?

MT: I can't remember what I was doing. It started out to be just an ordinary day until we heard on the radio what had happened. I suppose we spent the day more wondering what was going to happen, and I can't remember exactly when it was. There was a knock on the door, it was the sheriff, county sheriff who came.

TI: And just by himself or was he with anyone else?

MT: No, I think it was just... I just can picture just the one guy, but I didn't know if there were, there may have been two.

TI: How did you know he was a county sheriff?

MT: Well, the uniform. And he asked to search the house.

TI: And were you present, were you there when he was going through the house?

MT: Yes.

TI: So describe what he was doing.

MT: Well, he would pick up books, things like that, and whatever he felt that it was necessary for him to take, he did. I don't remember how much he took, but I know that he did take some things.

TI: And do you recall what kind of things he took?

MT: I couldn't say. Because at that time, I think we were just kind of an a daze, we didn't know what was going to, what was happening, you know.

TI: And while this was happening, what was your father doing?

MT: Well, I can't really recall what he was doing, except maybe kind of following the sheriff as he went through the house. But after his search was over is when he asked my father to go with him. So he was taken that night.

TI: Do you remember any reactions or responses from your mother or your older siblings or any of your siblings when this was going on? I'm trying to get a sense of the scene or what was going on when all this was happening. So your father was sort of following the county sheriff around as he was searching through things, and you mentioned how you were kind of in a daze. But when they decided to take your father away, were people just kind of watching this or did anyone say anything, do you remember?

MT: I don't remember that there was much said. I think we were all in shock, but we didn't know what was happening.

TI: So for your father to be picked up on December 7, 1941, the officials had these lists of people that they were going to, that were perhaps, they thought were suspicious, and generally they prioritized that list in terms of the people who they felt were more suspicious than others, and they would pick up people who were the most suspicious first. And so for them to pick up your father on December 7th, why do you think that was so? What was your father in the community that had the officials pick him up so soon?

MT: Well, I don't really know for a fact because I don't have the source, but I think that the main reason was that he was prominent -- not prominent, but he was participating in what they call the kenjinkai, Japanese association that they established in the area, and so he and the other members, several of them, they would attend fairs in Seattle and meet with people whenever there was occasions.

TI: And so within South Park, was he one of the community leaders?

MT: Well, like I said, it's a small community, but they did have the kenjinkai, and he was one of the members who, well, if he were elected to take office, he would help.

TI: So do you know, was he like an officer of the Japanese Association, like maybe, I'm not sure, the president or something?

MT: Well, I don't remember if he was ever president but I know that he did participate in that group.

TI: And do you recall if there were other men in South Park that were also picked up?

MT: Yes.

TI: And was it kind of that same night?

MT: Yes.

TI: Okay. And by chance to you know about how many?

MT: Well, I know of two others for sure, and my memory is kind of fading. [Laughs]

TI: No, you're doing really, really wonderfully. I'm asking really detailed questions, but I'm just trying to get as much as I can.

MT: Yes, I understand that. Like I said, there might have been about three or four that were picked up that night, but I know of definitely that one, two of them.

<End Segment 7> - Copyright © 2016 Densho. All Rights Reserved.