Partial Transcript: Edward Harumi Fujii is born on April 1, 1923, in Troutdale, OR. Edward's father, Bukichi Fujii, immigrates to the United States from Yamaguchi-Ken, Japan, in the 1900s. He works in the fishing and lodging industry in Vancouver, BC. Edward's father is considered an alien and informs the government he is moving to Oregon. Edward's mother, Yoshino Yamakado, is also from Yamaguchi-Ken, Japan, and she comes to the United States later.

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Keywords: Issei parents; Japanese Americans

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Partial Transcript: Edward's father speaks Japanese and English. He is an active person and successful. Edward says his father is a good teacher because he is knowledgeable in many areas. Edward's mother is a hard worker and a housewife. She works on the farm and manages the house. Edward's mother is not a talkative person, but the children all respected her.

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Keywords: family; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Edward's father is in the farming industry with livestock and crops. Edward and his siblings (six brothers and two sisters) all worked on the farm. The family meals consist of what is grown on the farm and produced by the livestock. Edward's favorite dish is sukiyaki.

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

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Partial Transcript: During the Great Depression, the entire family worked on the farm to survive. The family farm is in Troutdale Gresham. The whole family works all the time, and there is no time for entertainment. Growing up, Edward and his siblings attend Troutdale Grade School and then Gresham High School. Edward recalls the Principal, Mr. Bass allowing him to play baseball. From that point, he loves baseball and is a pitcher.

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Keywords: childhood activities; high school; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school; siblings; sports

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Partial Transcript: At Troutdale Grade School, there are approximately 60 students total. At Gresham High School, there are 400 students. In high school, there are about 50 Japanese American students. Edward says all the Japanese American students did well in school. On Edward's family farm, there is a lot of open space to play. He says his friends would come and play baseball and basketball. Occasionally, Edward goes smelt fishing.

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Keywords: childhood activities; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Edward says Mr. Bass, the Principal at Troutdale Grade School is influential to him. Mr. Bass asks him to pitch, and that sparked a love of baseball in him. Living in Troutdale, everyone is friendly and is a wonderful community to live in. Edward makes many friends in school. He recalls Jack Malcolm, Bob Dick, and Harvey Toffy.

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Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; primary school; sports

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Partial Transcript: Edward discusses the Japanese American Community in Troutdale. Edward recalls Japanese Language School, Judo, and Kendo. He participates in Kendo and explains what Kendo is. Besides primary school, Edward attends Japanese Language School.

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Keywords: childhood activities; education; Issei; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; social activities

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Partial Transcript: Edward's fondest memory as a child is playing baseball. Growing up in Troutdale, Edward never thought bout moving away. He says Troutdale is his permanent home. He has good friends, and he stays away from trouble. Edward has a good time in high school. He plays baseball and is an editor in the sports newspaper.

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Keywords: childhood activities; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: On December 7, Edward is working on the farm and hears the news on the radio about Pearl Harbor. He is shocked to hear about the attack. Edward says when they go to town to sell their produce, they do not experience any discrimination. When the war started, Edward is a senior in high school. Due to evacuation, the high school gives Edward his diploma earlier.

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Keywords: high school; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Edward recalls when his Issei parent hears about Pearl Harbor. Edward's father is an active person. The effects of Pearl Harbor are difficult for him since he is an alien. He has to follow the restrictions such as curfew and travel restrictions. Edward is aware of his father's feelings because he is the oldest at home. Edward's oldest brother is already in service. On May 7, 1942, Edward and his family evacuate to Pacific Livestock Exposition Center.

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Keywords: discrimination; Executive Order 9066; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; relocation centers; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Before going to the relocation center, Edward's father rents out the farm to a neighbor. Their house is taken care of by the Cunningham family. After camp, Edward says it takes a while to get the farm back which involves legal action.

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Keywords: Executive Order 9066; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Edward recalls leaving for the assembly center. He is in disbelief, and his father does not want to leave their farm. Edward is a senior in high school and is about to graduate. However, with evacuation orders, the high school gives him his diploma earlier. Edward's friend remains his friend throughout the wartime. Edwards also discusses the process of going to the assembly center. Edward's father has a friend before going to camp but has a falling out.

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Keywords: Assembly Centers; Executive Order 9066; friendship; higher education; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Edward and his family go to Pacific Livestock Exposition Center (assembly center). The family makes the best of what they can. He describes the living condition and amenities. After two weeks at the assembly center, help is needed at Nyssa, OR for farm work. Approximately 50 people left the assembly center to work on the farm for two weeks.

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Keywords: Executive Order 9066; farming; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Edward's family does not go to a relocation center. However, they are relocated to Nyssa for farm work. Living in Nyssa, there is no discrimination. Nyssa is forty miles from Troutdale.

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Keywords: farming; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Edward's brother is in the service. He is aware of what is happening to the family and visits. When the family returns to Troutdale, Edward receives his draft notice from the Army. Edward says Troutdale changes to anti-Japanese. He gives examples of discrimination. For instance, when you go to the gas station, they will not serve you gas.

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

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Partial Transcript: Edward receives his draft notice from the Army. He tells his parents, and they take the news well.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

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