<Begin Segment 16>

MK: Do you feel like you are lucky to live in the U.S. when you go over to Japan?

CE: Yeah, living in the U.S. is great. You have to do a lot for your relatives in Japan. I don't think I can live there. [Laughs]

MK: Same here.

CE: It is such a hustle.

MK: It is especially complicated in the countryside.

CE: My sister's child is in charge of a temple called Ryozen Temple. It belongs to the Tendai sect of Buddhism, and he came to hold the highest position in the Buddhist priesthood. He was the second, third one in the Tohoku region. There are only twelve, fifteen priests in the highest position. [Laughs] I cannot talk about Christianity at all when we go to Japan even though I am a Christian. All the wives in the family are from a temple. They go to classes at a temple, invite instructors to lecture at home and travel around together once a year. I cannot talk about Christianity at all. They are all firm believers of Buddhism.

MK: It is a lot easier to live in the States.

CE: Yes, it is. [Laughs] The Hiei Mountain Temple, the main temple of the Tendai sect, they say that there is no difference between Buddhism and Christianity. They say everyone can just believe in one religion, and there will be no more war. The temple is trying to shed light all over the world with one candle. I cannot talk about Christianity with them.

MK: What year did you get baptized?

CE: That was during the war...1940, 1945? That was before Pastor Hayashi left.

MK: Was that in Minidoka?

CE: Yes, it was in Minidoka.

MK: Did you have both church and Buddhist priests in Minidoka?

CE: Yes, we had everything.

MK: Were there Buddhists?

CE: They were there. Those who believe in Buddhism got together, and so did those who believe in Christianity.

MK: Did you get together every Sunday?

CE: That's right.

MK: Did you have separate gatherings?

CE: Yes. We belonged to the Christian group and went to one section of the camp. Section 30 or 40. We were practicing our church songs. We went to the house with 50 cents when someone passed away and sang our songs in a chorus. We brought 50 cents. It was 50 cents for celebrations too.

MK: You had to work to make money, didn't you?

CE: We had no money and had to work. Living in the camp was good for us in a sense. [Laughs]

MK: You didn't have to work.

CE: We didn't have to work. I washed dishes and pans. I went to the church song class and the bible study as soon as I was done. [Laughs]

MK: You didn't have a lot to do, did you?

CE: Not a lot. Everyone was learning how to arrange flowers and how to knit. [Laughs]

MK: The camp was a comforting environment for women, wasn't it?

CE: Yes, it was great. I learned how to read the Bible because I lived in the camp. [Laughs]

MK: You never know what would work for you.

CE: You don't. It was too bad that the war started, but it pushed the Nisei generation out in the society. It worked out as a result. [Laughs]

MK: I agree.

CE: I think it worked out.

MK: Issei people suffered though. They lost their position as a doctor or as a professor.

CE: Yes.

MK: I feel very sorry for those who were robbed of their profession they were working so hard on.

CE: I personally didn't know anyone like that. Well, we had hardships, but I feel fortunate to live in the States just as my sister always tells me. [Laughs]

MK: I agree.

CE: My sister tell me that she is the happiest person in Japan. [Laughs] That's what she says. I am happy to live here in the States too.

MK: Do your sisters feel envious for you?

CE: No, no. They are receiving their husbands' pension in Japan. They are happy to live on the money without depending on their children. [Laughs]

MK: I'm glad that everyone in your family is doing well.

CE: Yes.

MK: Where is your husband's mortuary tablet?

CE: We don't have one because we are Christian. His ashes are in the Lincoln Memorial.

MK: Where is it?

CE: Lincoln.

MK: Oh, Lincoln. I see.

CE: Yes.

MK: Where was it held during the war?

CE: The undertaker was holding it for us. He is such a nice person.

MK: Was it in Hennessy?

CE: No, no. He was an undertaker in Milwaukie.

MK: That was very fortunate.

CE: Yes. I left some money for flowers and asked him to place some flowers for him on his memorial day. He kept it with him until I came home. It was at the undertaker's place in Milwaukie.

MK: It sounds like everyone was very nice to you.

CE: Yes. Everyone was really nice.

MK: No one was mean to you.

CE: Not even one.

MK: Your children are all so nice too.

CE: [Laughs] Their teachers were also very nice.

<End Segment 16> - Copyright © 2003 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.