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RP: Tell us about your father. His, what was his name?

AT: His name was Tsunekichi, T-S-U-N-E-K-I-C-H-I. And he was a photographer.

RP: And where did he come from in Japan?

AT: In Yamaguchi-ken.

RP: And what type of photographer was he?

AT: A regular portrait. And I think he took a lot of pictures during the 1906...

RP: Earthquake?

AT: Yeah. Yeah, I think he did say... oh and he took another picture of, at the San Francisco beach which I think we have it right, hanging up on the wall there. And, a lot of people use that picture but they didn't know that he had taken it until my son traced it and had him, I don't know what, what book he was put in but...

RP: Did he have a studio?

AT: Studio, yes. Uh-huh. He had it added on to our house that we stayed at.

RP: And where did you live in San Francisco?

AT: On, you mean the street?

RP: The section of town. Did you live in--

AT: It was...

RP: -- the Japanese town?

AT: Yeah, it was the Japanese town, close to Japanese town.

RP: Do you remember the street?

AT: Yeah. It's 1950 Bush Street. I could even tell you the telephone.

RP: Oh you... go ahead.

AT: West-2156.

RP: Oh, we could go back there too.

AT: Well, I don't know if the house is still. I think it is but it was remodeled.

RP: Did your dad have any other type of work besides photography?

AT: Well, he was very interested in gardening. Not, you know... he started that what do you call... you know, the, the trees that's...

RP: Bonsai?

AT: Yeah.

RP: Oh he started a, a group?

AT: No, just on his own, uh-huh. So I know when he passed away a lot of the friends came and took, took all of those nice things. Yeah.

RP: Your mother, what was her name?

AT: Taki, T-A-K-I.

RP: And she was also from Yamaguchi?

AT: Yamaguchi-ken. Which is unusual for Japanese. Usually they marry from, from some other counties or whatever they call it.

RP: Do you know if, did your father go back to Japan to marry her or did she come here as a picture bride?

AT: No, I think they were married in Japan. And he came to America first and then I think she had a, my oldest sister then. She was the only one born in Japan. And he called for them.

RP: Did any of your brothers and sisters or you go back to Japan for schooling?

AT: No, no.

RP: Did any of your father or mother's family also come to America?

AT: No. Oh, just my mother's brother was in Canada. But I think he was the only one.

RP: Uh-huh.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 2010 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.