Partial Transcript: Isamu "Sam" Saito was born on April 27, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. Sam's father is Kenjiro Saito from Yokohama, Japan, and immigrated to the United States for a better opportunity. Sam's father started in the import-export business and later worked at a tailoring company. Sam describes his father as easy-going. Therefore, his mother does most of the child-rearing.

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Keywords: child rearing; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: The values Sam's father instilled in him was live your own life and create your opportunities. Education is the key to success. Sam's father supported whatever dream Sam wanted in life. When the Great Depression happened, Sam recalls his father doing his best to provide for the family. Sam's mother was Aiko Saito from Yokohama, Japan, and is a missionary-educated person. Sam's mother is Methodist and speaks English. In Seattle, she would help be an interpreter for other Issei.

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Keywords: education; family; Issei; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Sam describes his mother as the disciplinarian in the family. She was also helpful to others in the community. Both Sam's father and mother instilled the values of hard work, education, and honestly. Although the primary language spoken was English at home, Sam has a private tutor for the Japanese language. He later attends Japanese Language School after primary school. At Japanese Language School, he learns reading and writing.

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Keywords: child rearing; education; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese language school; Nisei; primary school

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Partial Transcript: Sam learns kanji and katakana for approximately 12 to 13 years at Japanese language school. Before Japanese language school, Sam has a private tutor that teaches him how to speak Japanese. Sam said they did not practice religion at home, but they did attend a Catholic Church. Afterward, Sam's family attended a Baptist Church. Sam recalls Reverend Andrews and his son. When the Japanese Americans were evacuated to the Assembly Center, Reverend Andrews followed them. Reverend Andrews was not allowed to enter the camp. Therefore he stayed outside the barb wires.

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Keywords: "evacuation"; Assembly Centers; childhood activities; education; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Japanese language school; Minidoka; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Sam has one younger brother. Growing up in Seattle, WA, the neighborhood is a mixture of Jewish, Chinese, and Caucasians. Sam said everyone got along with everyone. The Japanese Americans lived in various areas in Seattle and did not live in one centralized area.

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Keywords: family; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: In 1929, the Great Depression affected many financially. Sam's father did his best to support the family, and his mother was teaching others how to sew. Sam says he and his brother tried their best to not burden their parents. He discusses the difference between wants and needs. He recalls going to the fishing docks and getting fish if there were extras. The fish was later then shared with their neighbors.

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Keywords: family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Sam recalls the fishermen at the fishing dock would share fish with Sam if there were extras. Sam said people in the community would share food. During the Great Depression, you learn to cope with the situation, and things will get better. At home, Sam said there were decorations related to Japan. However, his mother does correspond with an Aunt in Japan.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Buddhism; correspondence; family; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: In the Japanese community, Sam recalls an annual picnic for those living in the same prefectures in Japan. At the picnic tradition, Japanese food was served. Other activities Sam participates in are sports. Depending on the season in Seattle, Sam plays seasonal sports. His favorite is baseball. There is a baseball league, and Sam plays on the team on Sundays.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; education; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; social activities; sports

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Partial Transcript: Sam was in a baseball league during his youth. They have games every Sunday. Depending on the seasons, Sam played seasonal sports. He also fished, played jacks and marbles. At home, there is a radio. However, he does not listen to it much. Schooling was more important.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; sports

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