<Begin Segment 1>

TI: So today is March 24, 2022, we're at the Lakeshore Retirement Community, and my name is Tom Ikeda, I'm one of the interviewers. Next to me is Barbara Yasui, and on camera is Dana Hoshide. And to first start off, what was the name given to you when you were first born?

MO: First born? I think Makoto.

TI: Okay, Makoto Otsu?

MO: Yeah.

TI: And when were you born and where?

MO: March 26, 1926, Steveston. I think there's a hospital there, Japanese hospital.

TI: Yeah, I looked it up, and it's called the Japanese Fishermen's Benevolent Society Hospital.

MO: Could be, yeah.

TI: And so let me ask first about your father. Can you tell me his name and where he was born?

MO: Genji Otsu, he was born in Japan. Hiisakimura, isn't he?

TI: I'm sorry, what?

MO: Hiisakimura or something?

TI: I don't know.

MO: Oh, Wakayama-ken.

TI: Yeah, Wakayama-ken. And I have, kind of, the year, maybe 1898?

MO: 1898, I think.

TI: And tell me a little bit about anything you know about him in Japan. Do you think anything about the family?

MO: I don't know anything about Japan. I went there when I was, my father took my younger brother when he had that bad ear thing. So I must have been three. Maybe my brother might have been two, I don't know. So I don't remember.

TI: Okay, yeah, that's good. But then I think you know a little bit, because when your father came to Japan, or to Canada, I think you mentioned earlier, he came with his father?

MO: Oh, I don't know if my grandfather was in Canada that time or not, I'm not sure.

TI: Well, do you know, kind of, why your father came to Canada?

MO: I really don't know.

TI: Okay. But when he came to Canada, he became a fisherman.

MO: I don't know whether when he first came, I don't think he's young, so I don't think he was a fisherman then.

TI: So tell me anything you know about his life in Canada when he first came. Is there anything that you can remember?

MO: I don't remember that.

TI: Okay. So let's go to your mother. What was your mother's name?

[Interruption]

MO: Sawaye.

TI: Okay. And where was she born?

MO: She was born in Wakayama-ken. I don't know how close they were.

TI: And your mother and father, do you know how they met?

MO: I have no idea. [Laughs]

TI: How about, do you know where they were married? Were they married in Japan?

MO: I think they were married in Japan, I think. I'm not sure though.

TI: Do you know if your father came to Canada with your mother or did he come alone first?

MO: I think he came alone first. He was in Canada. Maybe he went back and married my mother, I don't know.

TI: That's really common.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2022 Densho. All Rights Reserved.