Partial Transcript: Growing up in Pasadena, CA, Hitoshi recalls the first Rose Parade he attends at age four. His father's laundry store is near the Rose Parade route. Hitoshi sees the parade every year except for the war years and this year (2002). Hitoshi remembers participating in the Rose Parade events by working on the floats and parking cars. The float Hitoshi works on is a Japanese float sponsor by the Japanese Association, and the float wins the theme prize. The Rose Parade has changed over the years with more floats and more attendees.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; family; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: When Hitoshi is young, his thoughts of Japan are from Japanese Language School and his Issei parents. Hitoshi has never met his grandparents. Although, he has seen photographs of them. In 1928, Hitoshi's mother and two sisters travel to Japan. The family did not have a lot of money. Therefore, Hitoshi and his brother do not go with their mother and sisters. Hitoshi goes to Japan during occupation time. Hitoshi says his parents have plans to stay in American for the rest of their lives. He recalls in camp, there are talks of returning to Japan. However, Hitoshi's father feels it is not the time to return to Japan.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; occupation; siblings; travel

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Partial Transcript: When Pearl Harbor is bombed on December 7, Hitoshi is a junior at the University of Southern California (USC), majoring in foreign trade. Hitoshi remembers hearing about the Pearl Harbor attack on his way to school. In April 1942, Hitoshi receives notice he has to leave the school. He recalls his foreign trade professor saying Japan will lose the war due to the attrition of materials, supplies, and personal. Hitoshi discusses his feeling growing up with Japanese ancestry and the war with Japan.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; high school; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi recalls the FBI and Army coming to the laundry store to speak to his father. Hitoshi's father's English is not good. Therefore, he calls Shigematsu, the Principal of the Japanese Language School to help with translation. After an hour of questioning, the FBI leaves. Later, the FBI takes away the Principal. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Hitoshi's parents are afraid since they are not US citizens. When shortwave radios are confiscated, Hitoshi's mother looks for items related to Japan in the house. Hitoshi recalls his mother burning his certificate from kendo and some of his father's belongings. On the day of the bombing, Hitoshi's father's friends are taken away by the FBI.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: community leaders; discrimination; enemy alien; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Japanese language school; Pearl Harbor; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi discusses Kenji's feelings towards the Pearl Harbor attack. Kenji is more westernized than him. Hitoshi says his sisters' Japanese language is much better than Kenji and himself. Hitoshi has a close relationship with his two sisters. If there is a disagreement between Kenji and himself, Fumiko would intervene and protect Hitoshi. Hitoshi recalls going to the movies with Fumiko occasionally. Also, in Hitoshi's absence (due to the war), Fumiko takes care of their parents. In a Japanese family, the oldest son takes care of the parents. When Hitoshi returns from the war, Hitoshi's parents come to live with him and his wife.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; post-war; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When Pearl Harbor happens, Hitoshi's younger sister Fujiko is in high school. She did not talk too much about the event. Contrastingly, Fumiko, the older sister, understands what is happening. Fumiko is a secretary at a security company but loses her job after Pearl Harbor. At the University of Southern California (USC), Hitoshi lives in a shared room with a Caucasian student. Hitoshi says he did not feel any discrimination. Hitoshi is sad when he is asked to leave USC after Pearl Harbor. Hitoshi recalls taken a class on the Constitution and discusses his sentiments.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; discrimination; employment; Executive Order 9066; family; Franklin Delano Roosevelt; higher education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi discusses General DeWitt's order to evacuate Japanese Americans from Oregon, Washington, California, and Arizona. In March of 1942, the Japanese Americans relocated to assembly centers. There are 16 assembly centers along the coast where the Japanese Americans are interned for three to four months before going to camp. At the assembly centers, some Japanese Americans have to live in horse stalls. Hitoshi discusses employment opportunities to teach. He wanted to teach junior business training, but he did not have the credentials. Therefore, he teaches fifth grade for three months to 98 students.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; Assembly Centers; children; discrimination; education; employment; Executive Order 9066; interment camp; Issei; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi discusses the orders to evacuate and the US Constitution. He says you have to follow the orders unless you want to go to trials like Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi, Mitsuye Endo.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Assembly Centers; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; interment camp; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When Hitoshi leaves for the assembly center, he tries to take all his belongings. He says you are only allowed to bring what you can carry. However, he packs his belongings into a canvas knapsack bag such as his baseball mitten, Levi jeans, sweater, sport coat, and dress shirt. Although Hitoshi is going to camp, he wants to continue his education. He receives an acceptance letter from the University of Denver, April 1943. Before going to Denver, Hitoshi signs a loyalty oath. Hitoshi discusses his classification. When he registers for the draft, he is classified 1A (eligible for the draft). However, when he goes to camp, he is reclassified as 4C (alien).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Assembly Centers; Executive Order 9066; higher education; interment camp; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In June 1944, Hitoshi receives a draft notice from Army. He asks for a deferment, but the Army gives him ten days to report. Hitoshi has five weeks until graduation, and he asks the Dean to take the finals early. A week before Hitoshi ships out, he learns from Katherine Ono (school administrative) that he passes his finals. She said she would mail his college diploma to his parent in camp. Hitoshi shares his experience arriving at the assembly center. The lifestyle is communal.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Assembly Centers; barracks; family; Issei; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Hitoshi shares memorable experiences from camp. He recalls his fifth-grade students and the latrine. Also, he describes the living condition in camp. Hitoshi says you are not allowed to leave and there are guard towers with guards watching. He shares a story about a Japanese American jumping the barbwire fence at camp.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Assembly Centers; barracks; friendship; interment camp; Issei; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; World War Two

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