<Begin Segment 15>

AI: Well for now, I wanted to go back to where we were before the break. And you were talking a little bit about the sports and things that you had covered as the sports editor, and some of the sports you were involved in. Was there anything else that came to mind about the sports or the recreational activities? Things that were going on that you, that stands out in your mind?

KO: Well, I think dancing became a big recreation, because all you needed was a record player and a few people. And so it was an activity that most of the young people got involved in. And going to a dance was a big thing. So, if you were a Romeo, you could lead a good life in camp and become famous for being a good dancer or whatever.

But, it's great that there were many relationships made during those days that resulted in marriage. Life went on in camp and people fell in love, got married, and had kids. And it kind of strikes me as being a little unusual when I hear people say, "I was born in camp." To realize that those things were going on. It makes you believe that there was some sort of a normal life going on during the period we were in the relocation centers.

AI: That no matter how strange it was, and how, in some ways how abnormal it was, in other ways, things did continue.

KO: Were quite normal, yes. One of the other activities that we touched upon here a moment ago, was that there were many, many talent shows; and people who were even halfway considered as talented would get up and sing. But there were some very, very good acts that these various people could perform; there were dancers, jugglers. It's really amazing how diversified the lives of the Japanese people were, despite their sameness. So, life was quite interesting. As much as you can have life interesting, in a concentrated situation like that.

AI: Well, now most of these activities that we were just mentioning were mainly the activities of the Nisei. What was going on with the Issei, with people like your parents? Were they...?

KO: Well, they were, I think they were involved in playing Go, and they had their own little games and places where they could get together with their friends. I'm not sure, but I think making home brew might have been a project that many were involved in, too. [Laughs] Because certainly as a group, I think the older Japanese men in particular were, liked to have their liquor. 'Course part of that is because they didn't have too many other things to do. There were pretty well... there were very few places they felt comfortable going because of the language barrier, and so they had to make their own recreation. And I think drinking and having a good time with your friends was a big pastime.

<End Segment 15> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.