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TI: So there was a story you told me, again, you're like six or seven. And you talked about your mother working at the Security Market. I guess the question I was going to ask you was about Japanese language school. And so you mentioned, so tell me about Japanese language school, where it was and how it got there and what that was like?

TH: Well, there was a North and a South, and I went to the North. I don't know if they still have it that way. I don't know if you knew, what's his name? Fuzzy Fujiyama? He had an insurance agency (...) in Seattle. And Tai Ninomura and Miki Onishi, they were all my classmates in Japanese school. I didn't learn much, but I learned to play. [Laughs]

TI: Well, so tell me where the language school was. Because you lived in Beaverton, and where was the language school, how did you get there?

TH: I took the (Greyhound) bus. I think I was only about six or seven. I took the bus to Portland, (...) the bus station is right near (...) Meier & Frank, I don't know if it's still there. And then I'd walk over to Meier & Frank and put my roller skates on, and skate kitty-corner across because I had to go to Sixth and Flander, and that's where our Japanese school was.

TI: It's so cute. So you put roller skates on, was that because it made it faster, or was it just so you could play?

TH: Because it was fun. Because the ladies there were all so nice to me, I think they felt sorry for me.

TI: And was it a good place to roller skate, when you put those skates on?

TH: Perfect. [Laughs]

TI: So describe that. What was that like, was the floor like? And you said the ladies thought it was cute?

TH: Yeah. Well, on marble floor, my roller skates didn't make much noise. And we didn't have fancy skates like they do now. Yeah, if the skates would come off or something would break, they would help me put 'em back on.

TI: And then you would from there go, then, to Japanese language school.

TH: Yes.

TI: And I think you told me earlier, what day would this be for Japanese language school?

TH: It was right after grade school. Did we get out at one o'clock or whatever? And so it'd still be light outside. I think the Japanese school was probably a couple of hours is all, and I learned to play and have a lot of fun.

TI: And so for you it's a time to meet a lot of other Japanese Americans?

TH: Right, yeah. I really didn't learn much, and I wish I did. [Laughs] But also, I went to a Japanese school in Hillsboro and in Banks, but the teacher would pick me up. So you would think I'd be very fluent in Japanese. [Laughs]

TI: Yeah, I think we've heard other stories of... I mean, it was hard because, as you say, you'd go to your regular school during the day, and then after that, you would have to then go to Japanese language school.

TH: Right.

TI: So extra. And how many days a week would you have to go to Japanese language school?

TH: Seems like I went two or three days because then I would roller skate up to Security Market where my dad would pick us up. I didn't have to take the bus home.

TI: And you would take this trip every day by yourself?

TH: [Nods].

TI: And so what was your brother and sister -- well, your sister is in Japan now. But where's your brother?

TH: I don't remember him going to Japanese school ever. But I think he did, in Hillsboro on (Sundays). But I don't remember him going to school.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright © 2022 Densho. All Rights Reserved.