<Begin Segment 5>

LL: So now let's move on to your childhood.

MI: [Laughs] That's a long time ago.

LL: So what do you remember about your home? You mentioned that your father ran a hotel?

MI: Well, we lived in different hotels, which he had either leased or bought, and it was not an unpleasant experience, 'cause we were always in a very comfortable situation. But I couldn't understand how he was able to do business like that, because I didn't know half what was going on. I just... well, maybe it's because I wasn't too interested. But I had no idea how he was able to manage what he did.

LL: So did you have any brothers or sisters?

MI: I had one brother.

LL: And his name?

MI: His name is George.

LL: And what was he like? How would you describe your brother?

MI: He was easygoing, very pleasant. He was an architect, and he designed our house, and turned out to be a very good cook. [Laughs] Just the opposite of me.

LL: So was he a younger brother?

MI: Yes, three years younger than myself.

LL: And your memories of being a kid and growing up in your community, can you share some of those with us?

MI: What it was like in, like in Japantown? There was one hotel that he bought that was, that was in Japantown, and I remember some of the kids that grew up at the same time I did, but they were... I don't remember them being very pleasant. Well, of course, I was more of a chicken then anyway, so they could get away with anything. But I did not deal with that very well.

LL: So are there residents that were in the hotel where you lived that you remember in particular? Were there...

MI: No, I don't.

LL: ...people that stand out?

MI: I don't remember very... in fact, I don't remember any Japanese living in this, any of these hotels. They were situated in an area where there were employees of the railroad, one hotel anyway, and so the employees of that railroad would stay at my dad's hotel. But that's the only connection I had to them. I know they were around, but I didn't know any of them.

LL: And did you have responsibilities growing up? Did you have a job as a child, any responsibilities?

MI: No, I was a number one spoiled brat. I just didn't do anything. Of course, I blame my mother on that, because she did everything. But I was a spoiled brat.

LL: So what did you do, how did you meet your friends?

MI: Through church. I was a member of the Methodist church for many years, and I met a lot of them through the church.

LL: So were they did, they live close by? Were they neighbors as well?

MI: A couple of them lived close by. Others I met, I think through school. But I don't remember all the circumstances.

LL: And were they mostly Nisei, other Nisei?

MI: Yeah, they were mostly Nisei.

LL: And what types of things did you do with your friends?

MI: Well, we went bicycling a lot right in the city center. It's a wonder we're still alive, but we had a wonderful time. There were limited things that we can do. That was only one of the many things that we were allowed to do, which I'm surprised that my folks allowed it, but it was a pretty carefree childhood. That's because I didn't do anything at home. I barely did... it's terrible to say that, but it's true.

LL: So you would ride bikes all over the downtown area?

MI: All around the Japantown area, way over to, I call it Martin Frank, because that's the only way I know about that particular building.

<End Segment 5> - Copyright © 2013 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.