<Begin Segment 7>

RP: What was your attitude towards Japanese language school?

HN: Well it, it was something that was forced upon us so we had to learn it. My attitude was, why did we have to go to school, you know, six days a week? Everybody else only went to school five days. But as I grew up and older I was glad my mother made me do it, 'cause I'm fluent in speaking Japanese, not reading or writing though.

RP: Right. And later on, you know, you found yourself involved with the MIS, too.

HN: Yes.

RP: So... what, which one of your siblings did you most connect with or feel closest to?

HN: Actually, my younger sister 'cause she and I were kinda... you know how older brothers and sisters are, they kinda leave you alone. They'll have nothing to do with you. So, me and my younger sister got along well. But she passed away at sixty years old. So it's quite some time ago.

RP: What memories come, come up for you about your mother?

HN: Well, memories about my mother was, my mother was a giving person. She was a giver not a receiver, and I remember her as always helping other people and other families, and trying. And she'd go to church and do the same thing. And, in fact, the one thing I remember about Christmas, which is coming up, is that we used to get Christmas presents from our friends and since my mother didn't have enough money, we used to take our presents, re-wrap 'em, and give 'em to the kids of our friends. So, that's what I still remember to this day that she did every year.

<End Segment 7> - Copyright © 2008 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.