Densho Digital Archive
Densho Visual History Collection
Title: Hiroko Nakashima Interview
Narrator: Hiroko Nakashima
Interviewer: Tracy Lai
Location: Seattle, Washington
Date: October 15, 1999
Densho ID: denshovh-nhiroko-01-0028

<Begin Segment 28>

TL: Well, I have one last question -- I think it's my last question -- about when you look back and you think about spending those years, kind of formative years, because you're coming into adulthood and just sort of on the edge of making independent choices, how do you think that experience, how did that affect you? How did that change you? Have you ever thought about how it might have been different if you had just stayed?

HN: Oh, stayed here.

TL: Who you might have been?

HN: Yeah, I think it kind of taught you, well, you can't take everything for granted. You have to work hard. And that suffering we went through, I think it kind of made me realize you have to appreciate everything you have. I keep telling the kids and the grandkids, gee, always be thankful for what you have. Don't think that you should have more or anything. Just appreciate everything. I think that's the lesson I learned.

TL: You mentioned that all during the high school you still kept saying, "I'm going back. I'm going back." So do you think that part of the, well, 'cause you suffered, too, not that much food and, and all that uncertainty, not knowing about the war and what was happening with your dad, did that maybe make you value being an American in a different way because you wanted so much to go back?

HN: Oh, yeah. I was really determined to go back. And even my aunt told me, "I knew you'd go back because you kept saying you were going to go back." Yeah. So I'm glad I was able to come back, and I have a family here.

TL: Are there any other topics or other, other stories that you'd like to talk about that I've neglected to ask you?

HN: I don't think so.

TL: Okay. Well, thank you very much.

HN: Oh, you're welcome.

<End Segment 28> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.