Densho Digital Archive
Manzanar National Historic Site Collection
Title: Victor Ikeda Interview
Narrator: Victor Ikeda
Interviewer: Richard Potashin
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: November 6, 2007
Densho ID: denshovh-ivictor-01-0013

<Begin Segment 13>

RP: How much, how involved was your father in your sports experiences and adventures?

VI: To come and watch us in the tournaments. But usually they left us alone. You know, they maybe registered us for the thing, and then from that point on, they just kind of left us alone.

RP: I know Issei weren't known for their...

VI: Outspoken, outward, right.

RP: ...outward expression, but did your father ever show any pride related to your...

VI: I don't know. I've got cups, but he never gave us congratulations. I guess he expected, I don't know. But I think our whole --

RP: You definitely weren't bringing any shame on the family.

VI: No. And I think that's kind of the way I brought up my kids, too, you know. That we don't show as much emotion as our kids showed toward their kids. Because the way we were brought up, we were just, one generation between our kids and our parents. So I think, I expect my kids to do well, I expect my kids to don't shame our name, and then let it go at that and support 'em. And as long as they know I'm supporting 'em, I think that's what... you know. And I'm sure my father had supported me, too.

RP: Just in a very quiet, introspective way.

VI: Right, right, they don't show the... yeah.

RP: But you can sense it.

VI: Yeah.

RP: Did you sense it as a kid?

VI: See, another thing, too, you know, Isseis are, were not very touchy like hugging. You never saw an Issei hug another. Niseis are, you know, a little bit better. As we get older, we're more...

RP: Sanseis are all over each other.

VI: Yeah. [Laughs] Yonseis, you gotta keep 'em away. [Laughs]

RP: You gotta break 'em up like a wrestling match. So that's really interesting you bring that up, you could see the change...

VI: It is. You could see, you could see the change.

RP: ...over two or three generations, you have to have that timeframe to see that happen.

VI: Right. Things like that you don't think about 'til you mention it or we start talking about it.

RP: And your mom was pretty much the same way?

VI: She's very, she didn't show too much emotion.

RP: Did she hug you at all?

VI: I can't remember really being, you know, hugged.

RP: But there were no ill feelings.

VI: No.

RP: It was just, "That's the way my mom is."

VI: Yeah, I mean, that's the way it is.

RP: The way the parents are.

VI: I know how Tom, I may kick him in the butt, but that's a friendly kick, you know. [Laughs]

<End Segment 13> - Copyright © 2007 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.