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Title
Oral History Interview with Shizuko Grace Ito
Created Date
May 3rd, 1989
May 31st, 1989
Description
Issei female, born in 1904 and came to America with her mother in 1909 as Yobiyose ("one who is called"). Her father was already in Sacramento running a hotel when he sent for them. They moved to Los Angeles where Shizuko met Masayoshi Ito, a medical student. They married and moved to Florin. In 1942 when Shizuko was thirty-eight, the Ito's were sent to Arboga, California, Tule Lake, California, and Minidoka, Idaho. Dr. Ito left camp for Cedar Rapids, Iowa to support his family (he received only $19 a month as camp physician). The Florin property was managed by the Methodist Church. On their return, the tenant did not vacate for ten months. The six Itos - Dr. and Shizuko, her parents, two children - endured extreme hardship living in cramped quarters without electricity or plumbing. Mrs. Ito attributes their survival to the concept of "gaman" (to survive, persevere under the worst conditions).
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