Partial Transcript: Henry Gary Shiota is born January 6, 1926, in Huntington Beach, CA. He explains how the name Henry is popular. In the 1900s, there is a candy bar name O'Henry. Also, in camp, there are four other guys named Henry that creates confusion. Therefore, his Hawaiian friend gives him the name Gary after Gary Cooper, the actor. Gary's father moves around California for better opportunities and settles in Lodi. In January 1932, Gary's mother takes the children to Japan to plan their future arrangements with the elders. Gary describes Japanese customs and how some of his siblings are raised in Japan. Gary and his older brother return to the United States and grows up in Lodi.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaiian identity; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; travel

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Partial Transcript: In 1932, Gary is six years old, and he travels to Japan with his mother and siblings (three boys and two girls). He says Japan is developing its military power and describes the treatment of Koreans in Japan. Gary says he has a good time in Japan. However, Gary's older brother is old enough to understand discrimination. Being American of Japanese ancestry, he faces discrimination. In August 1932, Gary, his oldest brother, and his mother returns to the United States. By September 1932, Gary is enrolled in school. During wartime, Gary's younger, who lived in Japan is drafted into the Japanese Army. Gary recalls helping his younger brother with his paperwork to come to the United States. Then Gary's younger brother is drafted by the American Army to serve in the Korean War.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; discrimination; draft; education; family; Japanese Americans; Nisei; siblings; travel; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Gary recalls traveling to Japan in 1932 by boat. During the two-week boat ride, Gary is seasick. During Gary's Army service, he travels to Europe and is also seasick. Gary returns in August 1932 to Lodi, CA, and starts Garfield School in September. Gary says he did not know English. He primarily speaks Japanese and associates with other Japanese Americans. At school, there are other Japanese Americans, and they stick together. Gary lives in the country and is too far to attend a Japanese school. Furthermore, Gary's mother did not feel the children needed to go to Japanese classes. Gary enjoys playing baseball during his free time.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; childhood activities; education; family; Hakujin; Japanese Americans; Japanese language school; Nisei; primary school; sports; travel

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Partial Transcript: Lodi, CA, is a farming community with a large demographic of German and Italian descent. Gary says there is a kinship with the Germans and Italians because they are immigrants too. However, when the war starts, Gays says there is discrimination from individuals from the Midwest. The Japanese community mainly did business with other Japanese businesses and social events. Gary explains the different Japanese prefectures and intercultural prejudice.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Hakujin; intercultural prejudices; Japanese Americans; Nisei; social activities; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Gary explains the contrast of Nihonjin students from elementary school to high school. In high school, you are separated from your Nihonjin friends because you attend different classes. Moreover, the Japanese American students are smaller in size compared to the Hakujin students. Gary says he tries to stay unnoticed. In high school, Gary and other Japanese Americans plays baseball. He says the Japanese Americans are too short to play basketball and underweight for football.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: friendship; Hakujin; high school; Japanese Americans; Nisei; sports

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Partial Transcript: Gary says the Japanese are not very religious, but they tend to follow the community's decision. In Lodi, the Japanese community hears about the Hakujin taking Sundays off to attend church. Later, Gary's family attends the Presbyterian Church then transfers to a Buddhist Church. At Sunday school, Gary recalls getting rice crackers. Gary also mentions there are annual church events. Gary is influenced by samurai and cowboy movies. He believes in the ideal that the good always prevails. However, when evacuation is announced, Gary loses faith in the United States Government.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; Buddhism; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; Japanese Americans; Nisei; social activities; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In 1941, Gary is in high school, and he is aware of the world news. Gary's mother is a widow raising two children on her own. Gary's mother cooks meals for farm laborers and sends Gary and his brother to live with a boarding family in town. Gary describes the boarding family's father's character. The environment of discrimination has shaped his attitude to be pro-Japanese.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; discrimination; family; high school; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: On December 7, 1941, Gary is helping the boarding family he lives with packing lettuce. Gary compares Japanese newspaper versus American newspaper reports on Pearl Harbor. The following day, Gary goes to school, and he does not feel ostracized by his classmates. However, some of Gary's Japanese American friends do. Gary has some Hakujin neighbors that he is friends with, and he does not feel any discrimination from them.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; discrimination; friendship; Hakujin; high school; Japanese Americans; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Gary does not recall the signing of Executive Order 9066. He learns about evacuation when there are notices posted on the telephone poles and fences. Gary's family does not discuss evacuation with him. Gary believes maybe because he is sixteen years old, and they think he would not understand. When Gary goes to camp, he takes what he can carry. Gary tries to bring his comic books with him. However, his mother advises him to pack practical necessities instead.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; forced removal; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: For evacuation, Gary mainly packs his clothing and essentials. Gary says he listens to his mother about what to pack for camp. During that period, Gary says engineer boots and Levi jeans are popular among the boys. Gary says he did not give too much thought about evacuation because it is Japanese nature to follow the rules. On the day of the evacuation, the Japanese Americans meet at the Old Armory in Lodi. Gary does not say goodbye to his friends because it is a school day when he leaves (the interview ends at 19 minutes and 20 seconds).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Executive Order 9066; forced removal; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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