<Begin Segment 10>

RP: You said that your father was involved in this Japanese American, Japan American Association?

IK: Yes, very...

RP: What was, what was their purpose, their purpose in...

IK: It was, I believe it was mostly cultural, 'cause they went to operas and socialized quite a bit, and I didn't go at all so I don't know anything about them, really. But they were a social, social event, I believe.

RP: You mean one of those organizations that foster good will between countries?

IK: Yes, well, Japan American Society.

RP: In a cultural way.

IK: Yes. So I don't what their position was during the war at all, 'cause I didn't, really didn't know the purpose of the Japan American Society at the time, and I was less interested. It was too high class for me.

RP: Was, was your father ever visited by the FBI because of his association with organizations like that?

IK: Well, our lines were tapped. When the war broke, our lines were tapped and we had to leave messages by signaling and saying I'm going, I'm coming or whatever. And so they were listening, and I'm sure the preachers were tapped and then whoever the, the pretty popular or known.

RP: Community leaders. And the phones were tapped from the time the war broke out 'til you left Manzanar?

IK: You could hear 'em click.

RP: No personal visits that you were aware of?

IK: Not that I knew of. They were investigating my mother 'cause she was so active, so with that would be my father. And I've forgotten the, somebody came and questioned her quite, questioned them quite a little bit, and I didn't pay much attention to that because nothing you could do about it. 'Cause the only thing I could do was get physical and who you, who you gonna go? Where? It's useless. 'Cause they were not very polite, and that was shown at San Pedro. They were very rude down there. They would just... I was treated once and I was ready to climb on him, but it was just useless. You're gonna fight the whole damn nation, because they were not very, they were not very polite. 'Course, we were the enemies, of course.

RP: After the war broke out, in the time between that and going to Manzanar, can you describe what life was like during that period?

IK: Oh, didn't change mine at all except I was told to stay home at night, and I could care less what they thought. So I went to, I traveled across town to see my -- 'cause by now we lived near, in Silver Lake, and my friends were in East L.A. and nothing's gonna stop that -- so I would drive over there. Nobody bothered me, and... 'cause I, you know... but they did bother my, the folks. My parents knew they were here and we were being watched, but there's nothing I could do and no more could I care.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright © 2009 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.