<Begin Segment 21>

TL: Were your parents very active in the Sacramento Japanese American community?

AT: No, not very much. I think my father knew the people with the community Nihonjinkai, but I don't think there was very much activities like... course, Bon Odori or Hanamatsuri with the church or, we had the fair in the fall.

TL: Like Akimatsuri?

AT: Yes, the fairground. They would have Japan Day or something. Yes. So get all dressed up and go and meet the people.

TL: Do you remember whether there was a point where you felt pretty comfortable using English as a daily way to communicate?

AT: Well, it was a necessity, yes, but I still rather speak Japanese. Yes. I have no difficulty speaking to anybody, even dignitaries from Japan. I could speak the same language, yes.

TL: I'm wondering if as a teenager whether you began to think of yourself as Japanese American, now that it seemed that you would be staying here in the United States, or if you continued to think of yourself mostly as Japanese and you just kind of happened to be here?

AT: I don't think I had any thought about that. I don't think I -- after marrying George, of course, I never thought of going back to Japan except for trips, and I never -- I still never think of going back to live there now. We have few relatives there and it's good to visit, but not to live there.

TL: Your home is here.

AT: Yes.

[Interruption]

<End Segment 21> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.