Interviewer
Laura Ochoa
Files
Download Full Story (96 KB)
Ethnic Group
Japanese American
Generation
Elder
Description
Toshiye Hirata holds in her hands a valuable letter. Its value doesn’t come from the fame of the writer or from historical significance—but rather from the intense depth of its personal meaning for her. The letter is a Namu Amida Butsu, a Buddhist expression of sincerest, heartfelt gratitude. It was written to her by her husband, Roy Ko Hirata. In the letter he thanks her from the bottom of his heart for how she raised two daughters and a son with him, diligently and lovingly, and how she worked side by side with him through the many hardships of their lives.
Keywords
Oral History, Stockton - CA, California, Japanese American, History
Comments
This oral history is part of the STOCKTONSpeaks! Project that ran from 2002-2005 in Stockton, CA. You can read more about STOCKTONSpeaks! on the homepage and the About page.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Amy E.. "Hirata Family: Toshiye Hirata (Elder)". (2005). STOCKTONSpeaks! Japanese American Stories. Oral History 1.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/ss-ja/1
Included in
Asian American Studies Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Oral History Commons, Other American Studies Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Regional Sociology Commons
Relatives
Henry Hirata (Middle)
Karen Cairel (Youth)