Topaz, which was the name of the camp, was divided into 36 blocks*. Each block was composed of 12 barracks; a mess hall; recreation hall; and a latrine with a communal restroom, shower, laundry room, and a boiler room, all in one building. We were assigned to Block 3, Barrack 7, Room B. Our block was on the edge of the camp facing the administration buildings and the desert beyond.
Our first day at Topaz was miserable. The wind blew dust all over our face, choking us. As we walked it seemed as if we were walking up on a bed of fine, powdery ashes. We started a miniature dust storm with every step we took. We made masks out of cloth and had to wear them every time we went outdoors or else we would come home with our nose and throat clogged with dust.
After we unpacked our bags we went to the mess hall to have our lunch, which was beans—sloppy stuff that appeared as if they used the dust outside to mix it to the right consistency.
The second day mother tried to fix up our room by hanging up colorful curtains and sweeping up the floor, which was white with dust. Father made a few shelves with some scraps of lumber which my brother and I had found outside the barrack. After we finished, we went out to help our neighbors. As the adults chatted, my brother and I went outside to do some exploring.
At one end of the block, we discovered a lizard. My brother managed to grasp it by the tail. It scooted under the barrack, leaving its tail wriggling on the ground. We then ran home to tell mother and father. They were still at the neighbors, who had now served tea and cookies. We dashed in full of excitement and told them all about the lizard’s tail squirming on the ground. They stopped eating, seeming to have lost their appetite. That evening, mother gave us a stern lecture on politeness, but we could not understand why in the world why.
The days following were full of wonderful adventures. We discovered boys our own age in our block and quickly made many friends. The food in the mess hall became better and sometimes we even had chicken. Every mess hall in camp had a large piece of metal pipe hanging by the front door. This pipe was used as a dinner bell and they pounded on it whenever it was time to eat. Every morning, noon and evening, Topaz would resound with a variety of tones from these dinner gongs. I’ll tell you, there was enough noise to wake the dead. The noise was especially acute in the mornings as the clinging, clanging and banging would cut through the still morning air.
* There were actually 42 blocks in Topaz; however only 36 had barracks built on them.
I am immeasurably pleased to see Topaz collecting details, stories and memorabilia about its former detainees. Keisho Okayama has always been a bright light in our family and community with his brand of grace, artistry, wisdom and love. He and his wife Lauren have been stalwarts in our family as they lived life to the fullest extent following their dreams. Keisho is able to breathe his light and life into hundreds of fantastic and intricate paintings that evoke the surroundings and his feelings over the years. What a rare treat you are providing with this story and Keisho’s and other folks’ artwork.
I enjoyed, deeply, your note on Keisho and Lauren. Having been dear friends
since the ‘Jefferson Blvd” days, I often felt as one of the family as Keisho and I had the deepest regard for each other’s artworks.
I believe you may be Lauren’s sister, sharing Lauren’s maiden name.
So, Hello, and thank you for your thoughtful note.