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Takaezu - 1 - 7

Takaezu: I didn't think I was ambitious that I know of. 

Q: Were you tough?

Takaezu: I was raised in a way that I had to take care of younger sisters and brothers. I had great responsibility, but I think the responsibility came from myself. I don't think my mother wanted me to grow old as a child, but I was, you know? I saw what was happening and I felt responsible. 

Q: Did your other brothers and sisters feel the same way or were you unusual?

Takaezu: I felt that I was. My mother felt that I was. But she didn't want to say in words about it. 

I don't know if I should even say this, but she thought I was different, that I took responsibility very heavily. That's how she felt. 

But I think I did it -- it isn't that she pressured me to do it, because I don't think she wanted me to be that way, but by nature being serious, I think I saw a lot more and I was aware of a lot of things that made me do it. 

Q: Were you, as a child, serious about everything you undertook?

Takaezu: Yes, I was. Yes. Yes. Right.