Ben Tsukamaki papers

Tape-recorded interview, covering the years 1899-1964, conducted by Delores Goto, July 31, 1972.

Mr. Tsukamaki was born on April 1, 1919 in Orea, Washington and started school in Thomas, Washington. He talks about the families' return to Japan after his mother's death in 1927, and growing up there on his grandfather's farm near Hiroshima. The financial situation prevented him from going on to college as his brother and sister did. The family returned to the U.S. in 1936 and settled in Vale, Oregon. He boarded with a family and did their cooking and bookkeeping. He later joined his father and brother growing onions in Caldwell, Idaho. He returned to Japan to plan his grandfather's funeral just as Japan was gearing up for war. He describes the contrast between Japanese and American cities at this time. Upon his return, he went to Los Angeles to attend night school and work in a grocery store. As war broke out he avoided relocation by returning to the family farm in Oregon. He farmed from 1941-42 and then started a fish and Japanese food business. In 1943 he married and in 1945 he joined his brother Edward in California to run a butcher shop. This was an unprofitable period with many family disputes, so he finally returned to Ontario to buy a grocery store. He describes his subsequent nervous breakdown and shock treatment. He later became involved in community activities as he recovered and began expanding the store. His philosophy of life has always been that as a Japanese he must try harder and do 100 of the work.