San Jose REgenerations Oral History Project

Eiichi Edward Sakauye

General Topics of Interview

Mr. Eiichi Sakauye shares his personal recollections of his years growing up in San Jose prior to World War II, his experiences as a young adult in Heart Mountain internment camp, and his resettlement in San Jose after the war. He talks about his experiences preparing for evacuation including making arrangements with a neighbor to take care of his farm during his familyÕs internment. Starting as a taxi driver for visitors at the Santa Anita Assembly Center, he became the assistant farm superintendent at Heart Mountain because of his extensive farming background. He describes his successful experiences starting up the camp farm with the help of supportive and imaginative workers. After internment camp, he returned to San Jose to find his farm in good condition thanks to his neighbor. He describes his efforts to reestablish his farm and his activities to support and help other returning internees.

Biography

Mr. Sakauye was born in San Jose, California and is the oldest of four children. He attended San Jose High School and graduated from San Jose Teachers College (now San Jose State) with a degree in marketing. Except for internment camp, he has spent his entire life living and working on the farm his father purchased in 1907, 6 years before the Alien Land Law was passed in California. He has had a long time interest in history and just recently retired from the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission after serving for 18 years. In keeping with his deep interest in preserving Japanese American history, he recently purchased the home of the late Dr. Tokio Ishikawa and has donated the property to the Japanese American Resource Center/Museum. Mr. Sakauye is married and has two daughters.