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RP: This is an oral history for the Manzanar National Historic Site. Today we're talking with Sachi Kaneshiro.

SK: Right.

RP: And our interview is taking place at Sachi's apartment at 3939 Marleton Avenue in Los Angeles, apartment number 349. And our interviewer is Richard Potashin, our videographer is Kirk Peterson, and we also have Dorothy...

Off Camera: Kuwaye.

RP: Kuwaye, sitting in our on interview today. The date of our interview is May 13, 2009. And we will be discussing Sachi's experiences as a former internee at Poston War Relocation Center and Heart Mountain as well. We'll also discuss her experiences relocating to New York as well as her work for the WCCA before, before the camps were actually established. Do I have permission to go ahead and record our interview?

SK: Yes.

RP: Thank you so much for taking some time to go back and visit with me a little bit.

SK: It's my pleasure. My pleasure.

RP: I know it's not a long ways to go back, but you have some very clear and vivid memories of the war years. We're gonna start, again, sort of with your family background and you personally. I have to ask you those very personal questions.

SK: My, my birth date? [Laughs]

RP: Your birth date and where you were born.

SK: January 1, 1920. That's my official birth date.

RP: January first?

SK: In Los Angeles. Yes. Well, actually, in those days I think the information got to the bureau of records, you know, by Pony Express because it took 'em a week. Actually I was born on December 27, 1919. But I use the 1920 because it makes me younger. [Laughs]

RP: And your, you don't mind if I refer to you as Sachi?

SK: (Of course not).

RP: Which is short for Sachiko?

SK: I think my birth certificate has the "ko" on the end, uh-huh.

RP: You never took an American name?

SK: I did but I don't... I don't know why. I chose Agnes at one time and then I hated it afterwards so I decided to go back to my, my Japanese name. I can't change the slant of my eyes, the color of my skin. So I kept Sachi.

RP: Sachi. And your maiden name?

SK: Sachi Tamaki.

RP: Tamaki.

<End Segment 1> - Copyright © 2009 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.