Mary Bell discusses her early family life as the child of Japanese immigrants in Seattle, Washington; growing up in an international community; education at both American and Japanese schools; Japanese customs; her family's visit to Japan in the mid 1930's; and her father's illness which required them to stay in Japan during WWII. She also describes her home life in Japan; temple customs; Buddhist funerals; holidays; education at a Canadian Missionary School; feelings about WWII; wartime conditions in Japan; government control of war news and information; rationing; fire bombing of Tokyo; and the occupying American soldiers and General MacArthur. She also discusses her courtship and marriage to Charles Bell, an American soldier stationed in Japan following the war, her return to America, arrival in Springfield and employment with Horace Mann.

4 tapes, 360 min., 75 pp. Interview by Dottie Hopkins, 1979 OPEN See collateral file: photo