Family
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...my name is quite lengthly. Takeuchi means "inside bamboo" or "warrior house". Mochizuki means "full moon". My middle name is Iwao and this comes from my mother's father's named Iwakichi. Basically Iwao means "rock head" or "stubborn". Quite fitting for those who know me.
My family first came to the USA at the beginning of the 20th century as farmers. My grandparents farmed the land in what is now called Los Angeles, California. During World War II both my parents, grandparents and extended family were placed in the Japanese-American Concentration camps. My father's side went to Heart Mountain, Wyoming. And my mother's side went to Manzanar, California. After the war, my family eventually returned to Los Angeles, doing their best to live the American dream. Thanks to Heaven, they have succeeded...and we all continue to be blessed. 
Takeuchi house in Hiroshima, Japan, 1920, built with profits from farming in Los Angeles, California, still standing today
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Great-grandfather Umekichi Mochizuki, and Grandpa Iwakichi Mochizuki, Yui City, Shizuoka, Japan
Grandpa Iwakichi Mochizuki and Grandmother Michi Mochizuki, Yui City, Shizuoka, Japan
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Grandpa Yasuichi Takeuchi and Grandmother Yukino Takeuchi, Hiroshima City, Japan
Center is Grandmother Michi Mochizuki and on the right, Great-Grandmother Fusa Mochizuki, Yui City, Shizuoka, Japan
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Japanese-American Concentration Camp, Manzanar, California, 1942
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Japanese-American Concentration Camp, Heart Mountain, Wyoming, 1942
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Mom, seated third from right, 1952, J.H. Francis Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles, California
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Mom and Dad, married on January 8, 1955
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Dad, 1st on right, 1952, Camp Roberts US Route 101, California (Korean War)
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Growing up "Sansei" (3rd generation Japanese-American) in what is called South Central Los Angeles has most definitely placed a hardening agent in the foundation of my growing years. Most importantly, the work ethic instilled by my father permeates the very core of who I am along with my brothers and sister.
During my youth, Sunday school was mandatory at the local Buddhist Church in Gardena, CA. Saturday Japanese language school was substituted for hot dogs/hamburgers, the beach and basically just hanging out.
The church had sports teams....baseball and basketball, which I participated in. These were held at the local Japanese-American community center. However, I spend time more interest in the gentleman who was practicing his Karate-do strikes on the wooden Makiwara (you may need to google this one).
The experience of growing up in a 'neighborhood' of the 60's is an experience that I will never forget. This was indeed a magical time...the Helms Bakery Truck, football in the street, 'large' candy bars during Halloween...and of course all the mischief, unknowingly being watched by the 'mafia of moms'.
I frequently saw rockets blast off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Ventura California. I guess they knew the right time to let these rockets go because they always went up around sundown. I would climb onto the roof of the garage and just watch. The interesting point is that these events moved me...they moved me to a state of calm.
During my youth, Sunday school was mandatory at the local Buddhist Church in Gardena, CA. Saturday Japanese language school was substituted for hot dogs/hamburgers, the beach and basically just hanging out.
The church had sports teams....baseball and basketball, which I participated in. These were held at the local Japanese-American community center. However, I spend time more interest in the gentleman who was practicing his Karate-do strikes on the wooden Makiwara (you may need to google this one).
The experience of growing up in a 'neighborhood' of the 60's is an experience that I will never forget. This was indeed a magical time...the Helms Bakery Truck, football in the street, 'large' candy bars during Halloween...and of course all the mischief, unknowingly being watched by the 'mafia of moms'.
I frequently saw rockets blast off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Ventura California. I guess they knew the right time to let these rockets go because they always went up around sundown. I would climb onto the roof of the garage and just watch. The interesting point is that these events moved me...they moved me to a state of calm.
Elementary school was at 135th Street then off to Henry Clay Junior High, then Peary Junior High and finally Gardena High. That old bumper sticker "been there, done that" somewhat summarized my life in Los Angeles...and like most other human beings, I have a good mix of being proud of many accomplishments, and, suffering the pain of past errors.
Definitely grew up fast, maybe too fast. Chinatown Saturday nights at the Sing Lee theater, cruising Whittier Boulevard in East LA with the Vatos, Van Nuys and Roscoe, Southern California beaches, trying to be cool by reading the Freep, the Renaissance Faire and just hanging out...that was growing up in LA...the glory and the shame...that was my LA scene.
Moved to San Diego California in the late 70's, attend some college, however I enjoyed working verses studying. I found a tremendous amount of joy and satisfaction in work that involved the creative process. Later I would discover that my speciality was anything that was related to creating structure and organizational management.
Still in San Diego to this date, thanks to God, I have 5 great kids and 5 grandkids... all doing great! Thanks for reading a short history of my life.
Definitely grew up fast, maybe too fast. Chinatown Saturday nights at the Sing Lee theater, cruising Whittier Boulevard in East LA with the Vatos, Van Nuys and Roscoe, Southern California beaches, trying to be cool by reading the Freep, the Renaissance Faire and just hanging out...that was growing up in LA...the glory and the shame...that was my LA scene.
Moved to San Diego California in the late 70's, attend some college, however I enjoyed working verses studying. I found a tremendous amount of joy and satisfaction in work that involved the creative process. Later I would discover that my speciality was anything that was related to creating structure and organizational management.
Still in San Diego to this date, thanks to God, I have 5 great kids and 5 grandkids... all doing great! Thanks for reading a short history of my life.
