<Begin Segment 3>

TI: So let's talk about -- before we even talk about that, you were working with the Kashinos, and yet you had not met Shiro face-to-face? This was all over the phone?

BT: No. I'd read about him, but I've never met him.

TI: And, so your communication was primarily over the phone and letters?

BT: Well, Sadaichi told Kash that he was getting my help, and Kash wrote me, oh, I'd say a two-page letter explaining some of the circumstances. And from then on we started writing, but quite a bit over the telephone.

TI: Can you recall some of the things that Kash said to you over the phone? Not so much about the facts, but was he pretty appreciative of your efforts to help him?

BT: Well, I had to fight -- what they always would say over the phone -- okino doku. "Let's stop it -- okino doku." I said, "No. I'm here to help you. Don't worry." They were afraid of the cost of the -- like the stamps that we were using, the mailing expenses, printing. And I said, "No, let's forget about the cost. Let's just do it." In fact, he sent me a check one time. I returned it to him. Well, my point in that was that I'm not there to get paid. And if I am to be reimbursed, that means that I have to worry about using their money wisely. Now that may deter me from doing something that may go to a dead end. And I'm gonna feel bad that, gee, I shouldn't have done this. So I said, "No, no money involved now."

TI: But Kash kept on saying, "Just stop. Let it, don't do any more." But...

BT: Yeah. If we're working too hard -- "Gee, okino doku on you folks."

TI: But still, you got a sense, though, he did want you to keep doing this?

BT: Oh, definitely.

TI: Right, but he...

BT: Well, I'm glad Louise was next to him when we were talking, so...

TI: Okay. What about Louise? Did you talk much with her over the phone, too, or was it mostly with Kash?

BT: Oh, I'd say, oh, well, until Kash got sick, most of the time with Kash. Then after Kash started feeling bad, then with Louise.

TI: And we should establish that you got involved about two years ago? This was back in 1996?

BT: I think this was early 1996.

TI: Okay. So a little more than two-and-a-half years ago is when you first got involved.

BT: Yeah.

<End Segment 3> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.