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RP: So was your father the oldest son in the family or how did he rank?

TI: Oh no, no. I think he was about the youngest. It's a Japanese custom that the oldest son take over the family, and the others, why, they have to fend for themselves. So I don't know how he got to the States but after the war with Russia was over, he came over here and he had some friends too. And he was involved in farming which was not his occupation in Japan.

RP: Was he like most Issei who came to America, you know, wanted to make their fortune and then go back?

TI : Yes. That, I think that was their reason for coming here. But, it never worked out that easily.

RP: He couldn't come directly to America at that time according to what you told me. You said that he had to stop in Hawaii for a short time?

TI: Yes. I don't know what the reason was but he got off the boat, and if I'm not mistaken he was in Hawaii for several weeks. And he got aboard another ship and came to San Francisco. San Francisco had that big earthquake and he said days and days aboard the ship that they get up on the deck and look east and they could see this dark, well, he said dark cloud. But actually it's dark smoke arising from the San Francisco area. Uh-huh.

RP: So he couldn't dock in San Francisco?

TI: Oh, no, the ship was not able to dock in San Francisco. So I think he, they went to Oakland, if I'm not mistaken. And that's what he, that's what his step, first step into the U.S.

RP: You shared a story about his docking in Oakland. You said that there was a small fee that usually was paid to the customs agents and...

TI: Yes, I kind of overheard him talk about that one of those... I believe it was more than a fee. I think it was a bribe that they'd have to, you know, slip under to get off the ship easily.

RP: Did your father pay that?

TI: I believe he did. I don't know if he had any dollar with him but maybe.

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