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BY: So what do you remember about camp then?

MK: Well, you know, I didn't even think about missing him, my brother, because, you know, we were together all the time. Because I knew we were going out, too, because my father couldn't stand that...

BY: Camp.

MK: Yeah. Because he did some woodcarving, like greasewood carving, but he's not a scholar and there's no business to run. So he went out right away.

BY: Before you talk about leaving camp, so what do you remember doing in camp? Do you remember school, do you remember friends, activities? Talk about what it was like for you.

MK: Well, you know, the thing I remember most was I used to get a bloody nose.

BY: From the heat, do you think?

MK: Yeah, but it would just run. And I always had rosy cheeks and stuff, but anyway... so at school, it's hot and dry, my nose would bleed. And I'd be in the bathroom for hours because I couldn't get it to stop. That's the big thing I remember about school, and I used to hope I don't get another bloody nose and stuff. But I remember walking in the mud, and the mud going into my boots and stuff.

BY: And do you remember, who were your friends when you were there? Do you remember anyone?

MK: Gosh, I'm trying to think. I hung out with older girls, one who ended up as a beautician. She always wanted to braid my hair and stuff. But I don't remember... oh, I did play with Sally Tsutsumoto. But I remember walking, and before they could even get the toilets installed, they had the wooden framed things. And the young guys our age, you would push on the... because they were shaking. If you were in the (outhouse), and I remember just bad things about them.

BY: Do you remember anything positive about being in camp?

MK: Gosh, I'm trying to think. Because I was too young to go to dances or anything. I remember going and listening to...

BY: Do you remember the food at all?

MK: Oh, it was awful. I remember having to line up at both Puyallup and Minidoka for food.

BY: Do you remember anything in particular that you really didn't like?

MK: No. I guess I just took it for granted. Because at home, we didn't eat fresh foods either, being in a big family.

BY: And so you said your father was very unhappy in camp for good reason. How about your mother? It seemed like she must have suddenly had a lot of time on her hands after being so busy?

MK: Oh, yeah. And she liked to knit and such, so it was, I'm sure it was restful for her, and then with the children all leaving. But my father was so restless, we moved out, too.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2022 Densho. All Rights Reserved.