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KB: And what was your father's name and his place of birth?

SO: My father's name was Moichi Oka. And he was born in Japan, I don't know exactly where, but probably Okayama, 'cause that's where our relatives live.

KB: And do you know what kind of work your father's family did while they were living there?

SO: I think they were all farmers there.

KB: And do you have any idea how many brothers and sisters he had?

SO: No, I do not know that history.

KB: Okay. And do you have any idea why he decided to come to America, your father?

SO: I guess it was hard to make a living in Japan, therefore he wanted to come to the United States.

KB: So you might assume he might not have been the first son?

SO: That's correct.

KB: And your mother's name and place of birth?

SO: My mother's name was Ayako Sato, S-A-T-O, and she must have been born there near Okayama, too.

KB: Do you know that?

SO: I presume that.

KB: And do you know what type of work her family did?

SO: They were farmers also.

KB: And why did your mom come to America, do you know?

SO: I think she got married.

KB: She got married to your dad?

SO: (Yes), to my dad.

KB: And how did your father and mother meet?

SO: I do not know that history. I know they had Grandpa and Grandma over there.

KB: Do you think it was an arranged marriage?

SO: It probably was at that time.

KB: What's the age difference between your mother and your father?

SO: It was around ten years, I believe.

KB: Your father was older?

SO: Older, yes.

KB: And what did your father do here in America? You said he worked for the SP&S, what exactly did he do?

SO: He worked at the train station, I guess he was repairing or whatever. He's just a handyman there.

KB: So he worked maybe maintenance, handyman, repairing things?

SO: Yes, I believe so. I mean, he worked at the railroad station, so he didn't go far away.

KB: Do you know how long he worked there, I mean, how many years?

SO: Oh, many years. Until the war was...

KB: Did he work, do you know the hours that he worked? Do you remember when he came home?

SO: He had a daytime job.

KB: So he came home in time for dinner?

SO: Yeah.

KB: And your mom, what did she do? What was her role?

SO: She was a housekeeper and just raised, we had four children.

KB: Four children, and can you give me their names?

SO: The oldest one was Toshio, and the next was my sister Yasuko, and then my brother Terumasa, his nickname was Terry, and then myself, Shig.

KB: So you had four, so you were the youngest?

SO: I was the youngest, yes. They were all two years apart.

KB: Your brothers and sisters were two years apart?

SO: Yes.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 2014 Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Densho. All Rights Reserved.