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AI: Well, I'd like to, before we continue on with what happened with evacuation, I wanted to ask you a little bit more about your mother. And if you could tell me anything that you recall of what she said about first coming to America, any of her impressions or experiences.

KM: Well when my mother came to America, my dad was raising strawberry. So that was what she had to learn first. And then they had to hire lot of people to pick the strawberry. They had to find a place for the workers to stay in a room and board. And Mama did all the cooking for them, and also outside strawberry farm. And so, well it didn't take very long when -- and then all these workers, they go from different farmer to farmer, berry growers or whatever you want to call it. And then it got to a place where every season, strawberry season, they said they want to come to my folks' place because the cooking is so good. And they all look for good food. And so whenever we move from place to another place, several families get together help people move. And right after they all finish, well then they would have a feast. And Mother would be the main cook. And Janis said, "That's where you got your cooking." [Laughs] But I wish I learned more. But anyway, she was always good in cooking. And she was a fast strawberry picker. And so when her strawberries were gone, other people would hire her because she was so fast. She was sort of known for being a very efficient worker. And she liked it. She liked those competitive work. I think maybe that's where I got my compet -- I don't know. [Laughs]

AI: [Laughs] Did she ever say anything about what her first thoughts were when she was first coming over to America -- if it was anything like what she expected, or...?

KM: No. Well, when she arrived in San Francisco, you know they give a thorough physical. And she said that they found some kind of a eye disease for her. So my dad had come from Los Angeles to San Francisco to meet her. And you know, in those days it was a horse and buggy. I can't imagine Dad coming on a horse and buggy clear over to San Francisco. And where did he stay while he waited all that time? That part I wish I was curious enough to ask. But anyway, so she had to stay in the immigration office until that eye cured. I think she said she had trachoma, trachoma. Is there such disease of eyes? Well.

AI: Yeah.

KM: And, 'cause it's very contagious. And so I think she stayed there three days. But she said she was treated very nicely, and matter of time that she'd be free. But everything was so new to her that I guess she was very curious. And I really never did listen to her telling me about the trip back home. But when she got home, she was surprised at the temporary house that she was gonna, 'cause, you know in Japan they had a nice, lovely home. She used to always tell me, "Our house had a tile roof on it. And over here was just a, such a thin lumber that when it rains or the wind blows, all the dust and the rain would leak." [Laughs] And then when she, bath, taking a bath they would have to warm, heat each kettle for hot water and put it in a tub, because they didn't have anything set up. But those were kind of a different experiences that she had. Gradually, they were able to set it up and...

<End Segment 13> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.