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TI: And now that we have a little bit about their backgrounds, starting with your father, how would you describe it? What was he like?

FS: My father was very strict, but he was very kind. And he was very community-minded. When I was a kid out in Sumner, he was active in the Japanese Community Association, and I think it's fair to say he was one of the leaderships in the community, and he was very respected. And he was... how do I put it? He was very respected, and he was very honest. I know he was a churchgoer. He was one of the founders of the Tacoma Methodist Church, and I've told my wife, June, I could remember as a kid on the farm, we talked about the bible earlier, I could remember as a kid in the wintertime when he could not be working outside, he'd be reading that bible, and that marker would go all the way over to the (left), and next thing I know, he'd be starting (over). He was very devout in his faith, and I don't know how this happens. Because when I visited in Japan, of course, they were all Buddhists. When he became a Christian, I don't know.

TI: Interesting. Yeah, I was going to ask that question. Because I know it meant a lot to you, you used that same bible later on, so this was a Bible, was it common to see Japanese-language Bibles? I haven't seen that many.

FS: Oh, yeah, because my mom and dad used to always go to Japanese services in Tacoma, even before the war. Actually, my dad, my dad had a Bible. I still remember, it was black cover, and it was wrinkled along the edge as it were, and the one thing I regret is I don't know what happened to that bible. The one that I showed you in red was my mom's, but my dad had a different one which was with a black cover. And it was really neat, and I wished I had it.

TI: Well, you mentioned your mother, so tell me, what was she like? How would you describe her?

FS: My mother was probably the most wonderful mom anybody could have. I mean, I'm sure most people feel that way. But I always tell June, I cannot remember ever being scolded or being talked to in a stern way from my mom. And June says, "Really?" And I always say to her, "Yes, but you have to remember, I was a perfect child." And, of course, that goes over like a lead balloon. [Laughs]

TI: That's what I was going to say, so when you needed to be disciplined, how did that happen?

FS: I don't ever remember being disciplined by my mother or father. My mother just was gentle, she nurtured us. You know, like it's an interesting thing, and I've looked back myself on that and say, "Wow."

TI: How about your older siblings? Did you ever see them disciplined?

FS: Yes. I think I've seen my brother John and Bob both being disciplined, and in fact, my older brother John getting pretty argumentative with my dad, but I never experienced that.

TI: I can understand that...

FS: But I think he was the older brother, I was the youngest in the family, by the time they got to me, they gave up. [Laughs]

TI: Well, that, and you get to actually see what was acceptable and not, and you learned from that process, too. And how would you describe the relationship between your mother and father?

FS: Very, very close. I found it amazing that as I grew older, I've seen others who go in different places. My mom and dad were always together and everything. I really was blessed with a very wonderful mom and dad.

TI: Now, did they ever show affection with each other? I mean, I've asked this question about other Issei couples, and generally not, but I'm just curious about your parents.

FS: No, you know, I don't think that's something that, as I've grown older, you don't see Japanese showing that type of affection like we do in America.

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