Swept Away

In June we were transferred to Tule Lake. Never had I seen so many barracks of black tar paper buildings! There was an armed surveillance guard in the tall tower, overlooking all of the barracks, enclosed by a barbed wire fence. Each family was assigned a small living quarter consisting of cots for beds and blankets and few other necessities.  

As we settled into camp life, my parents signed my sister Florence and me up to learn Japanese dance (odori) from a well recommended instructor, Doris Abey^*. After many lessons, all of her students performed Japanese dance, some as a group, some of us individually in front of a large audience. I’m sure the audience appreciated any kind of entertainment. Meanwhile, my older brother Bill never seemed to be at a loss to keep busy. He loved to go hiking, hunting or playing baseball with his friends.

In September 1943 we were transferred to Topaz, Utah to make room for prisoners from other camps who were being transferred into Tule Lake after answering “no-no” on the so-called loyalty questionnaire. 

Topaz was very cold and windy compared to sunny and warm California. My father always looked for things to keep us occupied. One was making us an ice-skating rink (pond) behind our building. It was cold enough to freeze. Our ice skates were ordered by mail from Sears Roebuck’s. 

Also, I’d had to give up piano when we were put in camp. My father knew how much I wanted to learn to play the piano, so he took a piece of wood and painted a keyboard on it so I could practice. 

My mother loved to sew, so she enrolled in a sewing class. She made my sister and me two-piece plaid outfits—a vest and skirt. The fabric was ordered through Sears.  

My Uncles Jack and Frank Suzuki (my mother’s younger brothers) left camp to serve in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). I remember seeing the Gold Star flags in the barrack windows of parents who lost sons in WWII; but we were fortunate in that both uncles returned safely from the War and attended university through the GI Bill.