<Begin Segment 3>

LL: So now let's move on to your mother. What was your mother's name?

MI: My mother's name, Taira, T-A-I-R-A, maiden name.

LL: And first name?

MI: Hatsumo.

LL: And where was she born?

MI: She was born in Kumamoto also.

LL: So they were both from Kumamoto?

MI: Uh-huh.

LL: And what type of work did your mother's family do in Japan?

MI: I remember they were farmers, but I can't remember if there was more to it than that, because I don't remember her side of the family too well.

LL: You mentioned earlier in the pre-interview something about they might have raised silkworms?

MI: Oh, they did. They were ghastly. These were terrible-looking worms, and they raised them to get the silk out of it. And I never could understand the whole process, 'cause it just sounded horrible.

LL: How something so beautiful could -- or something so ghastly could produce something so beautiful.

MI: It's amazing.

LL: So did they, did your mother have siblings, brothers and sisters?

MI: Oh, I know he had a brother, 'cause I met him before he passed away.

LL: And was she older, was the brother older or younger?

MI: Oh, her brother was younger than she. There were other siblings I also met, but I can't remember who they were.

LL: And do you know what she was doing previous, what she was doing before she came to America to join your father?

MI: No, I don't remember what she was... all I can remember was she was a typical housewife, but I don't remember anything, any details connected to that.

LL: And how did your mother come to America? You mentioned she came to join your father?

MI: Yeah, I thought maybe he had gone after her, but no, I think he sent her money from here, from Portland, and I guess I can't really remember exactly. She came on her own, I remember that, but I can't understand how she did that on her own, 'cause I don't think I would have been able to, just comparing lifestyles, I'm just amazed at what they were able to do.

LL: So you mentioned that your father had sent money for her to join him.

MI: Uh-huh.

LL: How much do you remember about what time that might have been, how much later she joined him from the time that he first came here?

MI: No, I do not remember that. I wish I had something to relate to, but I don't remember.

LL: You mentioned that your mother and father were both from Kumamoto, so how did they meet there?

MI: I have no idea. I just thought they were childhood friends is all I could remember.

LL: So they lived near each other?

MI: They lived near each other and knew each other from childhood.

LL: And do you know, was there any age difference between the two of them?

MI: Yes, there were like about fifteen years' difference between the two.

LL: Interesting.

<End Segment 3> - Copyright © 2013 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.