Densho Digital Archive - Eiko Shibayama Interview (denshovh-seiko-01-0009)

<Begin Segment 9>

DG: So can you tell me more about the differences between Manzanar and Minidoka, when you moved there?

ES: Well, I think we were more at ease in, in Minidoka. Because in Manzanar, when they had all the riots and thing, it was, it was kinda... I think it was a traumatic time. 'Cause we never ever went through anything like that, and we never knew anything happening like that. But Hunt was more, I think more our kind of people... the way they dressed and their, their attitude. And so I think, I think we felt more at home there. So I'm kinda glad we, they did move us back where we... with the people that we grew up with over here in the Northwest.

DG: Do you remember any of those riots at Manzanar, and how that made you feel?

ES: Well, I myself just remember that... the news of it. But they wouldn't let us, our parents wouldn't let us go near there or anything like that. But, yeah, there was quite a lotta noise that was made about that, and we just heard about it. So I don't remember what I really thought at that time. I'm sure we were, I'm sure we were afraid, 'cause it wasn't too far from our block. But otherwise, I don't remember getting close to it or anything like that. Just hearing about it was about it.

DG: And were any of your brothers in the military?

ES: Uh-huh, three of them.

DG: Do you remember how your parents handled having...

ES: Yeah, that's what I was kinda wondering, too. I... when they left, there was... I don't, I really don't remember. They said they were gonna leave and they had to leave. And so again we just accepted, you know. But I don't remember my parents saying not to go or anything like that. I think they felt that they should go. But, yeah, the communication was really not that great at that time. I don't remember what they said to them. I think my brother would remember, but I don't... they just didn't tell us younger ones -- [laughs] -- for some reason. I don't know if they didn't want us to worry or what. Well, I really don't know. That I'll have to look more into that, too.