Weedflower

The next morning, one of the family’s neighbors, Mr. Hirata, delivers sobering news: Japan bombed Hawaii at Pearl Harbor, and war is imminent. They must now burn all their belongings that contain traces of Japanese language or culture. Even the photo of Sumiko’s parents must be burned because it has a Japanese flag in the background. Auntie and Uncle are afraid of being arrested if the government thinks that they’re disloyal to the US. Outside in the distance, Sumiko can see trails of smoke, which reveal that their neighbors are also burning their Japanese belongings.

The following day, the US declares war on Japan. Mr. Hirata arrives with another warning: The FBI has started arresting Japanese community leaders and Issei, first-generation Japanese immigrants. Jiichan packs a suitcase, and by the end of the day, men come to take him and Uncle away. The family has no idea where Jiichan and Uncle have been taken or what will happen to them, and they all sit in silence that evening.