Partial Transcript: Frank Hiratsuka is born July 16, 1926, in Aliso, CA. In the late 1800's Frank's grandparents immigrate to the United States and have eight children. Frank's father is born in 1904. Frank's grandfather is a farmer in Aliso.

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Keywords: farming; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Growing up, Frank briefly meets his grandparents. Franks says there is not much communication because his parents are busy working. Frank says his father work on the farm growing up. After getting married, his parents decide to work in private homes. Frank's mother is born in the United States but moves to Japan when her mother passes away.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; family; farming; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Frank's parents work in private homes and live on the grounds. Frank lives with his parents and sometimes stays with his grandparents. Some of the homes his parents work at are large and good neighborhoods.

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Keywords: employment; Nisei; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: Although Frank grows up during the Great Depression, his parents are well off because of their work. Frank recalls his mother preparing western food for their mealtimes. For lunch, they would go out to restaurants. Frank's parents work six days a week with vacation time. For New Year's, Frank recalls eating Japanese food and festivities with the grandparents.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; family; Nisei; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: During New Year, Frank recalls eating Japanese food. Everyone lives their own lives, and Frank does not have many opportunities to see his cousins often. Occasionally Frank would see his mother's family but not his father's side of the family. At school, Frank has friends. They would ride bikes, roller skate, baseball, and marbles.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; family; friendship; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: Frank recalls the games he plays during his childhood. He would play with tops, yoyo, and marbles. During Frank's school year, he recalls having good teachers. His favorite subjects are art and music. Frank learns how to play the violin, accordion, and saxophone. He also plays baseball in school.

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Keywords: childhood activities; friendship; Japanese Americans; Sansei; sports

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Partial Transcript: Frank recalls his childhood homes. Frank's parents work in a private home, and they are giving separate living quarters. Frank says he stays in their area. When his parents moved to another private home, they would pack up the car and leave. There is no furniture.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Nisei; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: Frank's parents are Buddhist and did not go to the temple often. His parents work on Sundays. Frank says as a child, he did not have chores, but when he gets older, he helps his parents with their work. He would mow the lawn and wash the car. In junior high school, Frank plays the saxophone, clarinet and sings in the choir. Also, Frank learns kendo. In kendo, Frank learns obedience.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Buddhism; employment; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; primary school; Sansei; sports

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Partial Transcript: Frank goes to Japanese Language School for a few years in Oakland, CA, and San Jose, CA. Frank's parents are bilingual in Japanese and English. However, they speak English to Frank. Frank describes his father as nice and strict. Most of all, Frank recalls his father teaching him to be a better person. Some memorable moments Frank has with his father are when they go fishing.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: fishing; Japanese Americans; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; Sansei; secondary education

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Partial Transcript: Frank's memorable moment with his father is going fishing. Frank's father is Frank Y. Hiratsuka Sr. Frank's mother is Toshi Marion Nakano Hiratsuka. Frank says his mother is a pleasant and lovely woman. Frank says his mother does a lot for him and his father. The disciplinarian in the family is his father. Frank says his mother is a good cook and baker. He loves her coconut cake.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: child rearing; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: In junior high school, Frank plays the saxophone and clarinet in the school band. Franks says his parents can afford to buy the musical instruments for him. He first starts with the saxophone, and he learns the clarinet in high school. At home, Frank practices his instrument in his bedroom at least once a day. Franks list out some of his favorite musicians that he likes such as Benny Goodman. In 1939, Frank performs at the World's Fair with his school band.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; higher education; Japanese Americans; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: Frank recalls performing at the World's Fair with his school band. After his performance, Frank explores the fairgrounds and sees Folies Bergere.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: At home, Frank has a radio. At night they would listen to adventure stories. Frank recalls the types of cars his father's employers would drive.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Sansei

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Partial Transcript: Once in a while, Frank watches movies. He would watch cowboys theme movies and Flash Gordon. In San Jose, Frank recalls watching a Japanese film in a hall. On Frank's parents' day off, they would visit Frank's mother's relatives or see the Nisei friends. Frank recalls going to an annual camp picnic with games.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: childhood activities; friendship; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Sansei; social activities

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Partial Transcript: Although there is a radio at home, Frank uses the radio to listen to shows rather than worldly news. Frank says he would hear about news events from word of mouth. Frank recalls his father communicated with relatives in Japan because his sister lives there. Also, Frank's Uncle has an adopted daughter that he takes to Japan with him. On December 7, Frank is listening on the radio and hears Pearl Harbor is bombed. He thinks the news is a mistake.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; Sansei; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When Frank hears the news about Pearl Harbor, he tells his parents. The employer tells Frank's parents to keep the curtain closed. The following day, Frank goes to school like normal. Frank is the only Japanese American student at the school. Frank and his parent go with the bus driver for the Japanese School to Ridley (near Fresno) because Ridley is the safe zone.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: farming; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; Sansei; World War Two

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