Lillian Matsudaira oral history interview, part 2 of 3, August 25, 2007

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Dublin Core

Description

Lillian Aiko Inouye Matsudaira is born June 8, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. Her parents are from Senkaku, Japan, and immigrated to the United States. Lillian's father goes to school to learn English and open a restaurant in 1925. The restaurant serves American dishes.

Lillian's father is Tsuyoshi Inouye, and her mother is Yayoi Inouye. They have six children in the family. Lillian grows up in a neighborhood that is primarily Japanese American and Chinese. Although Lillian's family is more westernized, she recalls some Japanese traditions practiced during New Year.

Lillian's husband is John Takehisa Matsudaira. He is born November 26, 1922, in Seattle, Washington. John's father is Tokohisa Matsudaira, and his mother is Hatori Umeda Matsudaira. John's parents are from Kanazawa, Japan. They have fourteen children. John is the oldest child in the family, and there is about a 20 year age gap between the siblings.

After school, Lillian helps out at the family restaurant. She rarely has free time. Lillian also attends Japanese School for six years. The neighborhood children are her friends.

John is a loner during his school years. He has many interests and enjoys reading books. John lived in Japan for about five years and started his artwork in Japan. He returns to the United States when he is 12 years old.

Lillian recalls December 7 and evacuation. She describes the atmosphere and preparations made for camp.

Identifier

2007OH0792_02_Matsudaira

Oral History Item Type Metadata

Date of Birth

1922 Nov 26

Location of Birth

Entrance into Service

Citation

Matsudaira, Lilian: narrator, Horsting, Robert: interviewer, and Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher, “Lillian Matsudaira oral history interview, part 2 of 3, August 25, 2007,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed December 22, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1053226.