Densho Digital Repository - Helen T. Sasaki Interview

Densho Digital Repository
Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Helen T. Sasaki Interview
Narrator: Helen T. Sasaki
Interviewer: Patricia Wakida
Location: Emeryville, California
Date: April 7, 2022
Densho ID: ddr-densho-1000-505-19

<Begin Segment 19>

PW: Tell me about Mountain View. Why did you move to Mountain View?

HS: Well, one reason is that my husband used to go to Mountain View to help my (father-in-law) because he's Japanese-speaking. And he thought it would help... so he used to go once a month to Mountain View to conduct study class. Study class for those who were interested in furthering their study of Buddhism. And eventually, I don't know whether he was invited or whether he thought that maybe he wanted, LaVerne initiated moving to Mountain View to actually help his father to be his assistant, although he would take on a big job. But we ended up going to Mountain View because his father probably needed assistance. And he actually had, I think, a weak heart. He was shuffling when he was walking, he was not in good health. And so (he) especially wanted to help his dad (with) his father's failing health. He wanted to be with him. So I don't know whether he asked the Bishop or the BCA or how it got initiated that he (wished to move) to Mountain View, but that's how we finally ended up getting there.

PW: What was the living situation like for you once you got to Mountain View?

HS: Mountain View? Well, because we had a large family, five kids, there (was no place for us). My in-laws lived in a small house in the back part of, behind the temple (...). And there were no accommodations for us. We lived in a triplex unit, which could accommodate all five of the kids and us. So we lived there for about a year until they were able to construct a house on the church property that's there right now.

PW: Wow, so you had a lot of space there.

HS: Then we had lots of space. [Laughs]

PW: But you're also living in this temple with your in-laws, too.

HS: Yes. Not together, but yes, on the same grounds. We were living in the front area of the temple, and then they were living in the back area. So we weren't just always crossing each other's paths. So it was nice, there was some privacy for both them and us, too.

PW: So in a way, now you're double Sasaki, Buddhist Temple at Mountain View.