Partial Transcript: Interview asked questions about changes in Japan pre-war and post-war.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Through Ray's wife, he made many Japanese local friends. He was just like them and there was no troubles.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray felt it was easier for him to get along with the Japanese locals because he looked like them, knew the culture, and spoke the language. Therefore, the locals accepted Ray as an ordinary person. Ray believes the occupation was successful. Japan became the second-largest economic power in the world. Moreover, Japan started producing outstanding products. Ray gave an example of the roads in Japan versus the streets in the United States.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray believes Japan's rebuilding and advancement are due to the occupation. The occupation worked in Japan because the Japanese locals were treated well. Moreover, the United States funded Japan and provided all kinds of changes in the rules and regulations. The Niseis contributed to a big part to occupation by knowing the Japanese language and working in different types of agencies.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Japanese Americans; Military Intelligence Service; Nisei; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray rates the Nisei's contribution an eight or nine. The Niseis knew the culture and language, which was beneficial to the occupation in Japan. After the occupation, Ray does not talk to his friend about his military experience. He said that is the past, and he focuses on the present. Japan is thriving now after World War Two. Ray discusses Japan's progression in their country.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After the occupation, the locals changed. Ray mentions the clothing and physical appearance changes. In addition, their values are not like before. Ray gave an example of the treatment of the older generation and honoring the Emperor.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray rated the linguists an eight or a nine for their contribution because General Willoughby credited the Nisei linguists for saving millions of lives. Furthermore, the Niseis had many positions in various departments during the occupation.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section; Japanese Americans; linguistics; Military Intelligence Service; occupation; post-war

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray Kuniteru Mayeda was born on October 18, 1922. Ray's father, Kunimoto Mayeda, was from Kagoshima prefecture. Kagoshima was known for farming. Ray's father immigrated to the United States when he was 17 years old in 1908 because his friends came to the United States earlier. Ray's grandfather was a school teacher, and Ray's father wanted to do something exciting. Ray's father was a schoolboy and learned English. He settled down in Coronado, CA, and worked in a hotel. In 1920, after saving enough money, Ray's father went to Kagoshima and then married Ray's mother. Ray has two sisters and two brothers.

Segment Synopsis:

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

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray's father was strict and intelligent. If his father stayed in Japan, he would have been a schoolteacher. Ray's great-uncle was a principal and became a professor at a California teacher's college in Kagoshima. Ray's great-uncle received a Satsuma-yaki flower vase for his accomplishments. When Ray's great-uncle passed away at a young age, the flower vase was passed down to Ray's grandfather, then to Ray's father, and then to Ray.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: child rearing; family; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray recalls his father disciplining him for picking the neighbor's plums. His father tied him to the plum tree until dark. Ray's mother got worried and untied him. Ray's mother, Yoshi Mayeda, and his father are both from a samurai family. Ray's grandfather joined Saigo Takamori, a General in the Japanese Army and leader of the Kagoshima rebellion. Ray's father did not want to seppuku and became a school teacher. Ray has a family chart going back 400 years of the family lineage.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: child rearing; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray's mother was conservative, kind, and cooked well. She was well-liked by everyone, but she passed away in 1935. Ray felt his mother's love when she cooked him meals. Ray grew up during the Great Depression and did not have a lot living on the farm. Ray's parents taught him to work hard and be honest. They also wish for him to have a good education. At school, Ray got good grades and studied hard. During the summertime, Ray worked on the farm packing the tomatoes with his mother. After being packaged, the tomatoes went to San Diego and LA.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; farming; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray's father would transport the tomatoes to San Diego, and the farmer on the next farm had a son who was a farmer too who took the tomatoes to LA. In the wintertime, Ray's father harvested celery. The farm was prosperous in Bonita and expanded. However, the Great Depression happened in the early 1930s, and he lost the farm. There were food shortages and not many jobs available. Ray recalls his friend getting new shoes, and he only had a pair of tennis shoes.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: farm; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Growing up in the Great Depression, Ray's family did not have much money. Living on the farm, he swam in the pond and ate at a friend's house. His friend's mother made fresh tortillas. When the friend came to Ray's home, they ate rice balls with pickles. On Ray's father's farm, he specialized in tomatoes and celery. However, he grew other crops and chicken.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: farm; friendship; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray was comfortable with the farming lifestyle. Besides farming, Ray attended school. He walked 3 miles one way to school. Sometimes his father would give him a ride, or the labor worker's son would give him a ride. Ray liked school and got good grades. He was active in school and was elected student body treasurer. Ray became interested in finances, and majored in accounting in college.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; farming; higher education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray became interested in bookkeeping because it came naturally to him. Later, he had a successful career in auditing and received promotions and awards. At school, Ray was elected student body treasurer. Ray had many Caucasian friends in Coronado.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Ray had many Caucasian and diverse friends at school. Coronado was an area where wealthy people lived. He recalls not being invited to a friend's birthday party and was sad. At school, Ray was in clubs and played sports. Ray was part of the California Scholarship Federation and Honor Society. He also participated in track, doing low hurdles and running the 50-yard dash.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; high school; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: At home, Ray spoke Japanese to his parents. His father and mother did not speak English. Ray lived on the farm, and he only watched movies once in a while. However, they had a radio at home. For entertainment, Ray played marbles, hide-in-go-seek, other games, and go swimming. Sometimes, Ray's father would take him fishing. In addition to farming, there was school.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; fishing; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects: