<Begin Segment 40>

DG: That was going to be my next question. Tell me about the Kunshou.

TS: Well, theoretically, as I understand it, the Kunshou, or medal granted by the Japanese Emperor is for outstanding service to the community, especially of benefit to the Japan-American relations. Insofar as I know, practically every Issei who was a member of the Board of the Community Service as Mr. Mihara had organized it, has been a recipient of a medal.

DG: So was there some politics involved in who becomes board members and who becomes officers?

TS: [Laughs] As far as I could see, from what I'm, from what I know of nominees to the award are unofficially submitted by a committee and I would suspect that during Mr. Mihara's lifetime as office and representative of the Japanese Community Service, he would make recommendations to the Japanese Consul office for grant of to so and so of such and such an award. So, in order to be so rewarded, if he gave, if he got a notice to attend a board meeting, it was practically mandatory that you show up and show a record of devoted attendance at meetings of the Community Service. But I would hate to be quoted because I really don't know. I, I don't object to being quoted as having ventured this opinion.

DG: Right.

TS: But I don't know what the facts really are, because I don't know. I would say my uneducated guess of putting two and two together.

KS: Well most recipients of the honor are people who have either contributed artistically or politically or in academically to further relations between Japan and America and it depends on the Consul that's here too. And they change, you know, every two or three years and the Consulate ultimately is the one that recommends these medals to the Emperor's office in Japan. So, I've been to several award dinners and, and I feel that the people who have received them certainly deserved them. They have served their community and to Japan-America relations.

DG: I think the stories are about a few of the fringe people.

KS: Oh, well, maybe a long time ago.

DG: Right.

KS: Yeah. And I know, I heard that too. But I didn't go to those award banquets, so I can't say. I've only been to the ones in the last, about ten years.

[Interruption]

<End Segment 40> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.