<Begin Segment 8>

AI: Would you please describe your family gatherings, and/or interactions which describe relationships between your parents and family?

DT: Well, we had our social occasions among the family, you know, but nothing special to talk about. Nothing really special. Not... I'm wondering what you're trying to drive at, but...

AI: Did you see each other very often?

DT: Oh, yeah. It was a normal growing-up period with the family, and then with friends, and with conferences and with athletics, track, football, basketball, swimming.

AI: How about like New Year's?

DT: Pardon me?

AI: New Year's, any of the holidays.

DT: Oh, yeah, but it was always spent with the family, usually... family.

AI: Dave, I can't imagine you ever having to be disciplined as a child, but...

DT: Pardon me?

AI: I can't imagine you ever having to be disciplined as a child, but if you were, what was the reason and what was the punishment?

DT: Well, I think as a child, I don't remember too many spankings. But the Issei parents were very strict, and if you did anything out of the ordinary, they would spank you.

AI: So you would consider your parents as being strict with child, childbearing?

DT: I think so. I think Isseis tend to be strict with the children.

AI: So you got a few spankings now and then?

DT: Oh, yeah, oh, yeah.

AI: Okay. Before the family evacuated, what were your career aspirations?

DT: Well, you see, before the family evacuated, I was already running the San Francisco store. I had finished at Cal, business administration major, and we were operating the store. That store was open 1902, and we had to close it in 1942, during the evacuation, you see. So I was occupied with that.

AI: And you mentioned just a little bit about ministry and diplomatic service?

DT: Yes.

AI: What prompted that?

DT: You know, you had, not childhood, but youth. I was active religiously, so some people said, "You should become a minister," and then a diplomatic service and all that. But when you come right down to it, we had a store, Nichibei Bussan, to run. And I was the oldest son, so naturally, I had to carry that on.

AI: Okay.

<End Segment 8> - Copyright © 2004 Densho and The Japanese American Museum of San Jose. All Rights Reserved.