Keiko’s early years in Sacramento and Clarksburg

Keiko arrives in San Francisco with her parents on a beautiful sunny day. She settles in Sacramento, where she studies English at school and learns American culture by working and living in American families’ homes.

“She’s nice to me all the time,” Toshiro says, tearing up as he reflects on their 63 years of marriage. Although their arranged marriage wasn’t official until 1960, their story begins long before that — on the walk to school, back in Kumamoto.

Toshiro watches Japan disappear from sight as he sets sail for the two-week ride to San Francisco. Upon arrival, a relative picks him up and takes him to Clarksburg where he works on a farm, at a grocery store, and to his surprise, the U.S. army.