Densho Digital Repository - In Memory of Tatsuo Nakata Interview (Densho ID: ddr-sjacl-2-32-14)

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BS: Yeah, and then I guess, moving on to another thing that was heavily brought up by all of you guys was, could you tell us about Tatsuo's legendary work sessions and his karaoke at the Bush?

AO: Well, you said legendary work sessions and his time at the Bush Garden?

BS: Yeah, his karaoke specifically, because I've heard from a couple people now that he was, he liked to sing.

AO: Yes, he liked to sing. But also, I think a lot of deals were cut among the group that got together at the Bush after our meetings. I'm sure... I can't remember any specific one.

BT: Brent, I want to set the stage a little bit for people that are watching this that may not be familiar with the Bush, but you know, this is, it's a well-known local establishment that's been in the community, was in the community for years. And it started out to be one of the premier Japanese restaurants. And as happens, as age happens, the restaurant got smaller, but you know, the lounge is always a popular watering hole for the community. And especially after any board meeting, all the communities, when they had a board meeting, they would say, "Let's go to the Bush now." And that was like, almost as Joy would say it, almost like a second board meeting where people could actually talk more freely about issues and you know, just get out their emotions and have a couple of drinks and a lot of informal business was accomplished there. You'd always go to the Bush and always see people that you knew. You'd see people like, you know, like Uncle Bob Santos was always making an appearance. Sharon Tomiko Santos would be there on occasion, Mark Okazaki. Just people in the community, you would always you'd always see someone and it was just a fun place. And, of course, as Emily said, you know, it's like, Mark Okazaki, Jeffrey Hattori, and Anna Tamura and Tatsuo would be going there, and it was just fun. You know, I didn't know about it until later. And then it was like, oh, my god, that's where everybody's going after the meetings. And then I started going, I was like, well, this is this is pretty good. And the other thing I wanted to add is, Tatsuo was really good at karaoke. But my favorite is when there would be a duet with Joy and Tatsuo because Joy just has a fabulous voice. [Laughs]

EM: In addition to "Knocking the Boots," though, I was thinking of he always saying Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You." So there was a bit of a, I think there was one other one though.

AM: "Yesterday."

EM: Oh, was it "Yesterday"?

AM: Or no, "Yesterday" by the Beatles, but he would sing it different than... yeah.

EM: I think this is a reminder though about, like, I mean, so that was the lunch spot where he had lunch with Arlene and Kazzie and May, and we know Auntie Ruth was there, right? So it was also this other place where a lot of really critical community conversations and strategy sessions happened at lunch. And then it was also the kind of convening place where the community could come. And in some ways, it's like, the work can be hard, but you can still do the work and have a good time. And certainly, it's better once you have a couple of drinks in you, too. And maybe build relationships with folks on a more personal level outside of the meetings. I mean, some of us were there probably a little bit too much. But you always knew when you came, you could see someone you knew and sing a couple songs.

AM: Yeah, I think the work sessions also is a way to build community and build relationships. So as we licked envelopes, stuffed them, you know, did whatever we were doing at that particular time, and I really missed that. I think our organizations have really lost something in that we don't do sort of mindless paperwork together, so that we can just sort of chat and be together and share our histories. So I missed that. And on a Zoom, it makes it really hard to... but what's good about the Zoom is we're in different geographical locations, and we can have this conversation. So there's pluses and minuses.