Taira Fukushima oral history interview, part 1 of 3, August 11, 2008

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Description

Taira Fukushima was born on February 8, 1926, in Los Angeles, CA. Taira describes how he gets his name and how his name is confused as a female name.

Taira's father is Buntaro Fukushima, and he was born on August 2, 1881. Taira's father comes from a farming community in Japan. Taira's father works hard and is an honest man.

Taira's mother, Maru Tateyama Fukushima, is a picture bride from Japan. Taira's mother cooks the family meals and he recollects always getting green apples. Taira says his mother will sacrifice anything for their children. During the summertime, Taira and his three siblings ask for ice cream. As a child, Taira thinks his mother doesn't likes ice cream. However, she loves ice cream. Taira's mother does not eat the ice cream to save it for the children.

Growing up, the Fukushima family is Buddhist. At Japanese language school, the Buddhist Priest would teach the classes. Sometimes the school's space is used for shows or Japanese movie screenings with a narrator. Taira says these are the social activities that parents and children enjoy. Another childhood activity Taira enjoys is playing with his neighborhood friends Eddie Harvey and Susumu Kitano.

Taira discusses his school years at Hobart Boulevard School, Berendo Junior High School, and John H. Francis Polytechnic High School. Furthermore, he attends Japanese language school after school.

Identifier

2008OH0902_01_Fukushima

Oral History Item Type Metadata

Date of Birth

1926 Feb 08

Location of Birth

Incarceration Facilities

War or Conflict

Branch of Service

Entrance into Service

Location of Basic Training

Citation

Fukushima, Taira: narrator, Horsting, Robert: interviewer, and Go For Broke National Education Center: publisher, “Taira Fukushima oral history interview, part 1 of 3, August 11, 2008,” Japanese American Military History Collective, accessed November 21, 2024, https://ndajams.omeka.net/items/show/1056027.