<Begin Segment 2>

AC: What kinds of things did you have to do to help out on the farm?

NH: What kind of work did I do?

AC: On the farm, yeah.

NH: Well, it was in producing all the crops that we raised, just cultivating it, and keeping it growing so it would produce the crops. So we really had to work, but we didn't have a choice; it was matter of necessity for us to all pitch in and help. But we struggled and made it through that way. Being I have a strong mother and older brother that, he kind of took over like he was the father of the family by just taking on the responsibility. So it was hard for them. But I think we were raised to face that responsibility, and we did our share.

AC: So what was it like going to school?

NH: Yes, we all attended school. That was one thing they didn't deny us, other than after graduating from high school, then it was impossible for them to send any of us to college, because we had to work toward the family pot, you know. So I know my older brother would have made a wonderful student if he had gone to college, but he was so busy helping to provide for the family that he was denied that privilege.

AC: Were other people in the family being able, gone on to college afterwards?

NH: No, there wasn't.

AC: Did everyone finish high school?

NH: Yes, oh, yes, they all finished high school. That's one thing the folks did manage to sacrifice so that we could get the high school education.

AC: So after school, did you all come back and work on the farm?

NH: Oh, yes. Saturdays and Sundays and after school. It was hard to believe that we had to work like that. But it wasn't that we had to, we were, felt like we needed to do that.

AC: So that meant that there was almost no time for anything, extracurricular stuff at school?

NH: No, there wasn't.

AC: Tell me more about your mother.

NH: She was a very hardworking, sacrificing mother. If it wasn't for her and my older brother, I don't think our family would have been able to get along as we did.

AC: Well, tell me about your older brother. What was he like?

NH: He was... he was a very conscientious person, and one that would sacrifice a lot, and he felt the responsibility. I really respected him for that, because he did feel the responsibility that the family was able to carry on.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 2004 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.