<Begin Segment 10>

KL: Why did you leave, or how did you leave?

MS: Well, they told us the war finished, so we had to move. So I guess they told us either stay in the United States or go somewhere. And so we couldn't stay here because nobody speak English. You wouldn't be able to find a job. And so I guess my father decided to go to Japan and stay with the oldest brother, I guess that's the only one over there. And he said we have to stay together. But my oldest brother, Luis, he kind of didn't want to do that, but no, he say we have to stay together, the family. So we went to see uncle.

KL: What did Luis want to do, do you think?

MS: I don't know. I don't know what he wanted. So we stayed together.

KL: How did your mom feel about going back to Japan?

MS: She didn't say too much. Well, maybe she was happy because she had family over there. I think it's an older brother... was it older or younger, I forgot. And nephew and nieces and all that, so that'd be nice for her, too, you know, she didn't say too much. But I'm pretty sure she was happy to go back.

KL: So the war had already ended?

MS: That's what I can't figure out, yeah, that time, yes. That time that was after. Yeah, we had to move from the camp, I think they wanted to do something to the camp, I'm pretty sure. I think my nephew went to see the place after the war. I forgot what is it now over there? I think they have some kind of monument, and it's all flat, I think, he said.

KL: In Crystal City?

MS: Yeah. I didn't have a chance to see it, but I think my nephew went up there, I'm pretty sure.

KL: How did you find out about the atomic bombs being dropped?

MS: I don't know that either. Maybe that was on the radio, because that was kind of a shock. And so, you know, kind of scared, too, with the atomic bomb and all that. Gonna start fighting again or whatever. I just don't like to see fight again, killing each other.

KL: And you had family in Hiroshima?

MS: Yeah, kind of bothers me.

KL: Do you remember learning about the Japanese surrender?

MS: Yes.

KL: How did you find out?

MS: Well, I think I was watching TV and they got the news and all of that. Wasn't it McArthur? I forgot the first name, Douglas? I remember he was signing.

KL: What did you think?

MS: Well, I was happy, end of the war, fighting. I think that was nice. And now they're still fighting, so I don't know.

KL: What was your parents' reaction to the end of the war and Japan's surrender?

MS: I'm pretty sure they were happy, too, all finished. Don't have to worry about it. Yeah, no more killing and all of that. So I think that was one of the happiest day, I'm pretty sure. Like I said, my father, he doesn't say too much, just inside. I think that's the problem with the Japanese, they don't let it go out, too, just keeping all the time. I don't know what the young ones think about, it's different, but all the time, they always like to keep it inside. I don't think that's a good idea all the time, you know, you have to let it go out.

KL: You said you were watching a movie when the news came?

MS: Yeah, it was the news, yeah.

KL: Who were you with?

MS: I don't remember that one. [Laughs] But I remember the news, yeah.

KL: What do you remember about getting ready to go to Japan?

MS: Well, that was kind of scary, too, because we'd never been in Japan. I guess it was the same, Japanese, when we weren't looking, they stole it. They stole the one suitcase. It was just not a nice thing to do. So I don't know.

KL: And that was at the train station that your brother's suitcase?

MS: Yes.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright © 2012 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.