Hiroshi's Story

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Hiroshi's Story
By Eleana Binder

Hiroshi Teddy Morodomi’s full life has been composed of a rich blend of identity, spanning the East and the West, the traditional and the modern. While in some ways his complicated background has kept him from feeling completely at home in one culture, his experiences have given him a global view of the world.

Hiroshi almost did not make it into the world to begin with, or as he would say, “I was born dead.” Because of Hiroshi’s parents’ Japanese heritage, they were not allowed first rate medical care in America, and the inexperienced doctor who delivered Hiroshi did not know what to do when he saw that the umbilical cord was wrapped around Hiroshi’s neck. Luckily, Hiroshi’s aunt was nearby and she did know what to do; she held him upside down and hit his backside. This suspenseful beginning in April of 1935 was the start of a very interesting life.

Hiroshi’s parents lived in Martinez, California. His father was born in Japan and his mother was born in Oakland, California. Hiroshi had three younger sisters Tsunemi (Peggy), Masako (Masi), and Chizuru. Hiroshi was sent to Japan to be educated when he was just ten months old. Hiroshi’s parents and grandparents felt that he could not get a good education in America because of discrimination against Japanese people during WWII. When Hiroshi was in Japan he lived with his grandparents and great-grandmother. Hiroshi stated, “My grandfather was the first Japanese cowboy.” Hiroshi’s grandfather told him about his experiences in America living as a cowboy in Black Hawk.

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