Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi Sugiyama also goes by Tad or Chu-ai. Chu-ai means loyal and love. He recalls a Japanese vacation on the Russian River, and he learns the meaning of his nickname Chu-ai. His friends call him bomb (jokingly) or Tad. He is originally from San Francisco City, few blocks away from Japan Town. As a child, he attends Henderson Grammar School.

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Keywords: education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school; San Francisco

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi's Issei parents are from Japan. Tadayoshi's grandfather (father's father) comes over before 1907 to Montana to work on the railroads. Later he moves to San Francisco, California, and opens a restaurant. In 1906 an earthquake happened, and he establishes a tent restaurant (3rd and Howard). Tadayoshi's father comes in 1907 to the United States to help his father in the restaurant business. Tadayoshi's father works at Delta on paddle boat as a cook. In 1913, Tadayoshi's mother comes to the United States and gives birth to two sons. One in 1915 and 1916. The Sugiyama family lives on Pier Street until 1932 and moves to San Francisco.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; employment; Issei; Issei parents; Nisei; San Francisco

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi hardly sees his father because his father is a hard worker. He works seven days a week from 6 AM to 9 PM. In the early days, the restaurant stove is coal burn. Therefore, Tadayoshi's mother has to wake up early in the mornings to warm up the coal stove before the restaurant opens to the public. Around 1924, Tadayoshi recalls the street light still being gaslight. He also remembers his mother asking him to scoop some of the horse maneuvers on the street for her garden.

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Keywords: childhood activities; employment; Issei; Issei parents; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: In the early 1930s, Tadayoshi's father buys with fresh fish from an Italian fish seller for the restaurant. Tadayoshi says there was no icebox or refrigerator at home because their father would bring home food from the restaurant. On hot days there is an iceman comes around their neighborhood to sell ice. Tadayoshi would sometimes ask the iceman for an ice chip. Tadayoshi describes the difficulties of being bilingual and bicultural growing up. In the Sugiyama household, the children are only allowed to speak Japanese. He recalls a bookstand at home, and Tadayoshi's mother would make him read from the book. For meals, the family eats Japanese food and eat with chopsticks.

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Keywords: child rearing; family; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi's mother would make tsukemono every day. Tadayoshi's father says you can tell household wife by the tsukemono. There are three boys in the family (two older brothers and Tadayoshi). Growing up during the Great Depression, Tadayoshi's family did not lack food. Their father allows provided for them. Tadayoshi recalls Junior High and High School eating roast beef, pork, and egg sandwich for lunch, whereas other students would have peanut butter and jelly or bologna. Tadayoshi recalls playing games with cards at home.

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Keywords: childhood activities; high school; Issei parents; Japanese identity and values; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi attends Emerson Grammar School. When the Sugiyama family moves to Bush Street, he attends John Swett Junior High School, Lowell High School, San Francisco Junior College, and Berkeley University of California. In middle school, Tadayoshi's friends are Alfred Goldmann, George Cohen, and Wilber C. They would play at the Hamilton Square park and empty lots. He recalls an incident on the swings with his friend. Tadayoshi describes what San Francisco is like going up.

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Keywords: childhood activities; friendship; high school; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school; San Francisco

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi describes living in San Francisco. On Bush Street there are various religious buildings nearby his home. Tadayoshi does not feel discriminated against as a young boy. He has friends that come from different ethnicities. On December 7th, Tadayoshi is returning from the Baptist church on Bush Street when he hears about Pearl Harbor. He recalls Issei Community Leaders being taken away.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; childhood activities; community leaders; community organizations; friendship; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; race discrimination; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi's recalls a friend's father being taken away by the FBI. Tadayoshi's friend goes to the Hall of Justice to try to see her dad. However, unable to see him. Moreover, some fishermen at Terminal Island investigated. Tadayoshi's says there are some clues that something is happening before Pearl Harbor. He describes an incident from 1941 with an FBI agent when taking photos at the San Francisco airport. Also, Tadayoshi's mother asks him to go to the Japanese Consulate to renounce his dual citizenship due to President Roosevelt's decree about Manchurian land.

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Keywords: Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; race discrimination; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi talks about the Japan Coprosperity in 1937 and the Bengaluru three heroes. Also, he mentions his teacher from Japanese Language School. Tadayoshi feels Japan Town is being overwhelmed with the events in Japan. Tadayoshi does not recall having the Japanese Emperor's photograph in their house. However, there are images of his grandparents, and before eating his shows respect to his grandparents.

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Keywords: Christianity; family; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Japanese language school; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: In 1941, Tadayoshi is a junior at Berkeley University of California. He remembers Japanese Community Leaders being taken away by FBI agents. The following day, Tadayoshi sees the National Coast Guards patrolling the streets and a curfew is declared. The curfew is for the Italians, Japanese Americans, and Germans. The curfew lasts for approximately a week. The Mayor of San Francisco at the time is Mayor Angelo Joseph Rossi. Eventually, the curfew is only restricted to Japanese Americans. Tadayoshi recollects hearing racial slurs such as "Jap". Before going overseas to the Philippines, Tadayoshi is at Camp Spellman. Before going overseas, he revisits his home and sees "no japs' painted on his home. Tadayoshi discusses the alien land law and shikata ga nai.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "Jap"; Alien land laws; Americans of Japanese Ancestry; curfew; family; Issei; Japanese Americans; Nisei; race discrimination; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi discusses his parents' reaction to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. After Pearl Harbor, Tadayoshi says they tried to stay low and not go out far or attend social gatherings. Tadayoshi's mother would say, "do not make waves" in public. He compares different societies like his nephews in Michigan. He recalls going to the Sutro Baths with his friends in San Francisco and is asked about his birth certificate to go in.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; prejudices; race discrimination; Sansei; World War Two; Yonsei

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Partial Transcript: The Sugiyama family visits Japan in 1928 for several months. Tadayoshi says they visit relatives on both his mother and father's side. Tadayoshi also shares experiences and interaction with his uncle. Tadayoshi revisits Japan in 1945 and compares the difference from 1928.

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Keywords: childhood activities; cultural heritage; family; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; travel

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi talks about grammar school and attending Berkeley. At Berkeley, there are a few Japanese Americans who attend the University in the 1920s. Tadayoshi attends college in the 1930s. Tadayoshi says his brother takes the ferry for transportation because there is no bridge at the time. Eventually, his brother finds a place near Berkeley and stays there. Tadayoshi's other brother goes to San Mateo Junior College before transferring to Berkeley. Tadayoshi himself goes to San Francisco Junior College before attending Berkeley. Around this time, Tadayoshi sees the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Keywords: higher education; Japanese Americans; Nisei; San Francisco; siblings

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Partial Transcript: In 1937 the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was completed. The Bay Bridge opens a year later. He remembers walking to North Beach and seeing Crissy Field. Also, it is big news when Al Capone goes to Alcatraz Island.

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Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; San Francisco

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi recalls having a season pass to Treasure Island. Every week there would be a different band performing at the Exposition. Besides seeing bands, Tadayoshi likes to go to the Japanese Pavilion. At the Japanese Pavilion, there are art and craft shows such as silk string from the silkworm. During this time, transportation is either streetcars or cable cars. Tadayoshi frequently uses the cable car.

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Keywords: childhood activities; Japanese Americans; Nisei; San Francisco; social activities

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi shares a story about an incident with his friend and a cable car. Tadayoshi recently goes to San Francisco to visit his brother. He says San Francisco has changed a lot.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; Japanese Americans; Nisei; San Francisco; Sansei; siblings; Yonsei

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi's older brother did not talk much about the Pearl Harbor attack. When the war starts, there are many things affected. Tadayoshi says they want to stay with their people. He also recalls his basketball game canceled on Pearl Harbor day. Tadayoshi talks about the success of a business. If you do well, then you buy a new car. Tadayoshi's father buys a 1940 Chevrolet. On Dec 7 and the following days after, Tadayoshi did not fear for his life, but he is cautious. For example, he does not celebrate after graduating from High School.

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Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; social activities; sports; World War Two; youth organizations

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi talks about the cost of living for day workers and their expenses. The Sugiyama family does not get a radio until 1937. Before having a radio, Tadayoshi describes how the family would listen to sports games or entertainment.

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Keywords: family; Issei; Nisei; siblings; sports

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Partial Transcript: Tadayoshi did not go to the movies often as a child. However, he says a movie ticket would cost 15 cents. He remembers watching a few movies with his mother called Over the Hill and Quiet on the Western Front.

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

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