Partial Transcript: Frank Tadao Matsuda is born on January 9, 1922, in Seattle, Washington. Frank's father, Saiki Frank Matsuda, is from Honshu Island, Japan (farming community). Frank's father immigrates to the United States when he is 19 years old. He meets a friend along the way, and they arrive in Hawaii on a steamship. However, he comes to California by himself. He gets a job working on the railroads and goes to Montana. The railroad job does not last long due to the working conditions and food.

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Keywords: employment; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: After leaving the railroad job in Montana, Frank's father goes to Seattle and works as a house boy. Frank's father learns how to cook and speak English. After a while, Frank's father gets a job at the lumber baron (Balkum) cooking. The Matsuda family lives in Ballard, a neighborhood in Seattle. Frank's father works long hours, and Frank did not see him as much growing up.

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Keywords: employment; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Seattle

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Partial Transcript: Frank says his father is quiet and enjoys gardening. His father would not do too much yard work in the summertime due to asthma and hay fever. Frank's mother Masae Miyoshi, is from Okayama, Japan, and is a picture bride. When Frank is about four years old, he and his sister accompany their mother to Japan for an operation. In Japan, Frank meets his mother's brothers. One brother in Kobe and another brother Okayama. Frank recalls staying in Japan for nine months to a year in Japan.

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

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Partial Transcript: Frank says his mother is quiet but stern. Frank describes some of the Japanese decorations in their house that their mother has made. Frank's sisters are also artistic like their mother. His older sister plays the piano and the other sister dances. Frank enjoys fishing.

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Keywords: child rearing; childhood activities; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; siblings

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Partial Transcript: There are three children in the Matsuda family: Aiko, Frank (himself), Kathryn Sumiko. Aiko is three years older than Frank, and Sumiko is four years younger than Frank. Frank is closest to Aiko because he lives with her in Chicago post-war. Frank's parents teach them the values of kindness, honesty, study well in school, and not get into trouble. Frank recalls he accidentally breaks a window playing baseball. Otherwise, he is a good boy growing up. Frank's mother is Buddhist, but Frank and his siblings attend an American Christian Church - Salem Evangelical Free Church in Ballard. Frank and Aiko both receive their confirmation from the Salem Evangelical Free Church.

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Keywords: Issei; Issei parents; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; post-war; sports

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Partial Transcript: At the Matsuda home, they eat both western and Japanese dishes. During the Great Depression, Frank remembers his father would bring home food often such as roast beef. Although money is hard to earn during the Great Depression, Frank's father buys a house for around $2,000. Asians could not own homes or property because of the Alien Land Law. After camp, Frank's sister's name is on the deed because she is an American citizen. In the Ballard community, Frank remembers there are four Japanese American families plus them.

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

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Partial Transcript: Frank describes the process of making mochi. He likes almost all Japanese food except for sashimi and natto. At the Matsuda home, they celebrate all the western holidays, New Year, Hinamatsuri, and Tango No Sekku - Children's Day.

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Keywords: family; Issei; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Frank's memorable time with his father is visiting his father's friends when he has time off. His father's friends did not have sons but daughters. When Frank is in his teens, he stays home, and his sister goes with their father to visit his friends. Frank recalls going to J-Town and seeing guys are playing basketball at Collins Play Field. Later in camp, he would recognize some of the guys from Collins Play Field. The guys already have a team, and Frank feels left out especially, at camp. Frank's childhood friends are the children in the neighborhood - Frank Peterson and Veron Swanson. They would go fishing, riding bikes, and hang out in Ballard. On Wednesday, Frank would watch cowboy movies - Dime Night.

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Keywords: childhood activities; fishing; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; sports; youth organizations

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Partial Transcript: Frank's favorite cowboy actor is Tom Mix. For a dime, you can see a movie and a cartoon. Frank would frequently go to Roxy Theater in Ballard. In the 1900's Felix, the cat is a popular cartoon character. Frank attends Webster Grammar Elementary School(near his home), James Monroe Junior High School (65th Street), and Ballard High School (east of 65th Street). During Frank's school years, he likes baseball (3rd base, shortstop) and track (100-yard dash).

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Keywords: childhood activities; Japanese Americans; Nisei; sports

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Partial Transcript: During Frank's school years, he likes science, history, and geography. After a while, Frank also likes math. Franks says Japanese Americans becomes the most hated people after Pearl Harbor. However, the Ballard community is neutral towards the Matsuda family. Frank recalls a drunk person on the bus. Frank feels mad and embarrassed by this person's actions.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Japanese Americans; Nisei; race discrimination; racism

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Partial Transcript: On December 7, Frank is playing basketball when he hears about the attack at Pearl Harbor. He goes home and listens to the radio to confirm the news. He says it is a sad day. Going to work on the bus was not bad, but the newspaper and reports have the worst criticism towards Japanese Americans -- Seattle Times, The Post Intelligencer (PI), and Seattle Star. Frank recalls during those newspaper publications when he is sixteen years old. During his senior year in high school, he has a paper corner. After high school graduation, Frank works at the shipyard.

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Keywords: "Jap"; discrimination; employment; high school; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; racism; sports; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When frank use to deliver 50 newspapers, he would ride his bike. There is more delivery for the weekend papers versus the daily newspapers. After high school, Frank works at the shipyard for six months. The shipyard is working on a Navy contract, and Navy officers would come by the shipyard often. Frank did not feel comfortable with the Navy officers' comments about Japanese Americans. Frank decides to resign. Later he works at a wholesale jewelry store. Frank earns $25 a week. Before evacuation, Frank buys a BVLGARI $100.00 watch for $50.00.

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Keywords: "evacuation"; "Jap"; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; Japanese Americans; Nisei; prejudices; racism; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Frank remembers after the Pearl Harbor attack, the Chinese and Filipino communities all wear buttons to identify their ethnicity. Frank discusses Executive Order 9066 (EO9066) signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The effect of EO9066 hit hard on the Issei. On the day of the evacuation, Frank says you bring "what you can carry." The Matsuda's neighbor drops them off at the armory. From there, they take the bus to Jefferson Golf Course to go on a Greyhound bus to Puyallup.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; Assembly Centers; discrimination; Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Frank recalls the neighborhood friends did not express their thought about the evacuation order, but they all took him out to dinner. Also, Frank's friends gave him a Sheaffer Fountain Pen Set. When Frank joins the army, he has to buy another watch since he lost his at camp.

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Keywords: "evacuation"; Assembly Centers; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; friendship; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When Frank arrives at Puyallup, he says he has never seen so many Japanese Americans before. He wants to join them playing sports, but they already have their teams formed. Franks feel left out. Frank gets an opportunity to leave camp and goes to work on a farm. The hardest thing Frank left behind is leaving his home and friends. Especially not being able to go fishing. Frank discusses the living conditions. There is a small space for the whole family. The parents would sleep on box springs, and the children sleep on cots. If you are older enough, you can get a job to earn money.

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Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; Assembly Centers; barracks; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Issei; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Frank describes the security at Puyallup. There is barbed wire around the assembly center. Moreover, there are guard towers with guns. The Matsuda family is at Block 40. Frank says Block 40 is an open area, possibly to expand the assembly center. Frank remembers getting lumber to build their furniture. Frank recalls rattlesnakes are living under the barracks. Also, ticks and rabbits. At night you can hear coyotes. There is a place to go fishing, but you would need to go down the canyon. Frank mention you cannot bring cameras. However, he sees some guys in camp with cameras.

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Keywords: Assembly Centers; barracks; discrimination; Executive Order 9066; Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; racism; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Franks said there is a mess hall for every block at the assembly center. Frank does not remember eating at the mess hall. He says the hospital has better food. At Minidoka, Frank works as a chauffeur. He would pick people up at the train station and bring them back to Minidoka. There are shower accommodations for men and women. On the men's side, it is a big room with no dividers. Frank did not stay at Minidoka for long. He takes the opportunity to work on a sugar beet farm in Idaho. After the sugar beet harvest, Frank stays on the farm to herd cattle. He lives in a shed and feels lonely. Frank decides to go back to Minidoka. When he returns to camp, he meets a guy who suggests going to work in Salt Lake City. Frank agrees and leaves. In Salt Lake City, Frank works at a meatpacking company and a restaurant.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: "evacuation"; Assembly Centers; employment; Executive Order 9066; Idaho; Issei; Japanese Americans; Minidoka; Nisei; World War Two

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