Densho Digital Archive - Lois Yuki Interview (denshovh-ylois-01-0018)

<Begin Segment 18>

RP: So what, what really got you interested... was there something that really fired you up about learning about your history, your family's history --

LY: Well.

RP: -- and the camp histories. Because you weren't really old enough to really know what happened there.

LY: Now, I gain so much information, and you encouraged me to do something. And I said, "Oh, what did I do?" I mean, I don't like to write. So I said to myself, "At least I can do something like this." With the pictures and a description. This is my grandfather's helping the railroad book. That's what it done to me. When you ask me. And then you mentioned that last time I saw you, "Oh I have something for you. And I'm gonna send to you." So I was really excited. And then waited. Then, Grace Seto called me and told me told me about her book. And then she didn't say much so only thing that I could do is get the book and see it. Then she told me it took her ten years but I said to myself, "I'll be too old if I wait for another ten years." So I gotta do it right now while my mind is still fresh and I really wanted to get it done. Because my daughter, Joy, is saying, "Mom, it's already ten years since you started. Get it done." She said, "You don't know when it will be the last day to be here." So, she really encouraged me. And then she also started to help me scan the pictures.

And then, what started was in August we had date set for Senos family reunion. So we have to get something published for our cousin to see. And then we didn't really publish too much because we need latest pictures and all that. But that really started it. So after that family reunion she sat and started to scanning old pictures. And now I know, I have all these pictures almost in order for our grandparents and our parents but when we were growing up that part on I still have to put them in order. So, camp part and pictures in Japan, we don't have that many. But whatever we have I was able to put them in a folders and separate for my grandfather, I mean, father's side. And then my parents and getting there.

So whatever they left for us, like my father and my mom left the flower vases they use in florist and a bench. He had four benches but I only have one left. And then my father had a desk for many years and then we still have it. So I'm gonna get all those pictures and number them and write how we received or left behind for my --and then Grandfather too, trunk and saw and whatever he left for us. And then he left the bowls, four of 'em, Japanese bowls. And one big platter for the, like a big gathering we can use. So there's... and tea (coasters). So I'm hoping to take the pictures and take it back to Japan and see about when it was purchased or made. Yeah, I mean, we don't have that many but the very few we have. And then there's a little sake cup my niece has. 'Cause my sister had it. And my father told us that when he was fifth grade, first time when he went to Miyajima with the class, classmate, he bought it. And, let's see, outside is a shape like daruma. Daruma is the one that Zen Buddhist, how do they say, anyway, you fail seven times and eighth time you succeeded. So you gotta keep trying. Don't give up first time. You got to keep trying. So, that's a very, very important. And there are a few things left.