Partial Transcript: James Mamoru Fujii was born on May 28, 1926. His father, Bukichi "Ben" Fujii was from Yamaguchi Ken, Japan, and his mother was Yoshino Yamakado Fujii. James' mother was the second wife after the first wife passed away. In the first marriage, James' father has three children.

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Keywords: family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James describes his father, Bukichi's physical traits and personality. James' father lived a long healthy life. He was the boss of the family and a leader in the Troutdale Gresham Community. James's father was well known and respected in the farming community. James did not know the history of his father arriving in the United States. He has not met any relatives from his father or mother's side.

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Keywords: community leaders; family; farm; farming; Issei parents; Oregon

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Partial Transcript: James' mother, Yoshino Yamakado Fujii, was petite and mainly spoke Japanese. She was a hardworking and dedicated mother. She made sure the children respected and listened to their father. James' father is an outgoing and outspoken person. He was well known and respected in the farming community.

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Keywords: family; farming; Hakujin; Issei parents

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Partial Transcript: When World War Two started, the Hakujin offered to help with the farm. James's father was well respected in the community. James explained some terminology used. Nihonjin means Japanese ethnicity, and Hakujin means Caucasians. Nisei is 2nd generation Japanese, and Sansei is 3rd generation Japanese. James discusses his mother being an obedient wife, managing the housework and caring for the children.

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Keywords: children; Hakujin; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: When World War Two started, James recalls when the family moved from Portland Stockyards to Nyssa, OR. He describes the living conditions at the tent camp. James says his mother took care of the family and did farm work.

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Keywords: "evacuation"; child rearing; farm; Issei parents; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In the family, there was a step ladder of authority. James' brother, Kazuo, did the discipline if the siblings misbehaved. James' sisters, Aki and Kimiko, were like second mothers to the siblings. All the children attended English School and Japanese School.

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Keywords: children; education; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Japanese language school; Nisei; primary school; siblings

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Partial Transcript: James' siblings from his father's first marriage are Toshio and Fumiko. James' siblings from his father's second marriage are Aki, Kazuo, Kimiko, Kurumi "Ed," Kiyoshi "Jack," Mamoru "Jim" (himself), Tomio "Tommy," and Tadato "Tad."

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; family; Issei; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James and his siblings were born with Japanese names. However, they received English names from their teachers at school. The teachers could not pronounce Japanese names. All the siblings looked up to Kazuo and Aki. The family's religion is Buddhism. The Buddhist temple was a gathering place for church services and social gatherings. At least once a month, there is a social event for the community.

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Keywords: childhood activities; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school; social activities

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Partial Transcript: The Japanese American community was an active group. They would have social activities at the Buddhist temple at least once a month. James recalls social gatherings at his home, community picnics, the neighborhood get-togethers, and holidays. James says the community is close-knit. At his home, they celebrate New Year more than Christmas.

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Keywords: childhood activities; family; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James recalls celebrating New Year and his mother preparing meals. His mother would prepare the meals the night before New Year, and the neighbors came to help cook. There are three or four celebrations a year that James' family celebrates. James says his first childhood home was small.

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Keywords: childhood activities; friendship; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James recalls his mother's cooking. He says Japanese women are remarkable because they can make a meal from nothing. Many dishes contain rice, fish, seafood, seaweed, and fern. James said his father had a good appetite, and his mother would cook anything for him.

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Keywords: food; homemaking; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James discusses his favorite dish that his mother cooked. He also recalls his first childhood home south of Troutdale. The house was small and seven family members were living there. Later, the family moves to a larger home on a farm.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; farm; homemaking; Issei; Issei parents; living conditions; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James' first home had the bare minimum, and there was an outhouse for the restroom. There was no indoor plumbing, and the water was from a well. James says it seems like his mother gave birth every year. He praised his mother for her hard work in raising the children and taking care of the household.

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Keywords: children; family; homemaking; Issei parents; living conditions

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Partial Transcript: For bathing, the family used an oforo and hot water. James's father would bathe first and then the children.

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Keywords: homemaking; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: The new home on the farm was modernized and larger. James' father would get day laborers to work on carpentry and electricity on the farm.

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Keywords: family; farm; homemaking; Issei parents; living conditions; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: James discusses the house decorations. There was a picture of the Buddha and family portraits. His mother kept the house clean despite having so many children. James recalls his father did well in the farming business and bought a few cars. They would drive to the beach on family outings.

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Keywords: childhood activities; children; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions

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Partial Transcript: On the farm, the children helped in farming. James' duties were similar to a day worker. He describes how to weed with the gardening hoe. James' father harvested vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, and celery.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; childhood activities; Nisei; produce; siblings

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Partial Transcript: The horses on the farm helped with the farming. There are about 20 cows to produce dairy. James recalls his mother milking the cows. In Portland, farmers sold their fresh produce at the public market.

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Keywords: childhood activities; Issei parents; Nisei

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