Preface
During a summer trip to the American Holocaust Museum, I walked through miles of corridors lined with photographs detailing the rise of Hitler, the Holocaust, and its aftermath. This exhibit inspired me to make this photo gallery--a timeline of Japanese-American despair, service, and pride. Each picture below is organized by date in an attempt to provide the viewer with greater understanding of how the lives of Japanese Americans have evolved through the present day. I captioned each image myself and used supplementary information from the Densho Encyclopedia to provide notable insight. Each photo is either free for distribution or free for use for educational projects like this one.
1930s
Kent, Washington. c. 1930. Courtesy of the Natsuhara Family Collection.
A Japanese-American batter watches the ball fly off of his bat. Prior to the war, Japanese Americans led normal, American lives. Japanese Americans had a particularly strong affinity for baseball, which they dominated locally. In internment camps, Japanese Americans still played baseball, but on rough, dusty diamonds. In fact, my great-grandmother was angry when she met my great-grandfather for the first time at Tule Lake, because the matchmaker pulled her away from her baseball game.
A Japanese-American batter watches the ball fly off of his bat. Prior to the war, Japanese Americans led normal, American lives. Japanese Americans had a particularly strong affinity for baseball, which they dominated locally. In internment camps, Japanese Americans still played baseball, but on rough, dusty diamonds. In fact, my great-grandmother was angry when she met my great-grandfather for the first time at Tule Lake, because the matchmaker pulled her away from her baseball game.
Auburn, Washington. c. 1935. Courtesy of the Magden Family Collection.
A Japanese-American ballplayer tips his cap to the umpire. Japanese-American baseball teams were known for being particularly respectful and honest on the baseball diamond.
A Japanese-American ballplayer tips his cap to the umpire. Japanese-American baseball teams were known for being particularly respectful and honest on the baseball diamond.
1940
Sumner, Washington. Summer 1940. Courtesy of the Bain Family Collection.
Prior to internment, Peggie Yorita and Sho Nakagawa (pictured) had successful livelihoods. They worked for the Yamashita Shipping Company. Once interned, Japanese Americans lost their jobs, and had no choice but to sell their homes, businesses, and any belongings that could not fit in a suitcase.
Prior to internment, Peggie Yorita and Sho Nakagawa (pictured) had successful livelihoods. They worked for the Yamashita Shipping Company. Once interned, Japanese Americans lost their jobs, and had no choice but to sell their homes, businesses, and any belongings that could not fit in a suitcase.
1941
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. December 7, 1941. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
An image of Japan's attack on the American Pearl Harbor naval base with an American flag burning on a deck. This attack would draw the United States into World War II and would be the primary motivation for the incarceration of Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Since the Japanese-American population was concentrated on the West Coast, the American government viewed Japanese Americans as an internal threat capable of creating similar terror to Pearl Harbor. Interestingly enough, Japanese Americans living in the interior of the United States (Midwest, South, and Northeast) were not interned during the war. Japanese Americans in Hawaii were also not interned, because Japanese Americans were such a large part of the Hawaiian population that their incarceration would have caused an economic downturn.
An image of Japan's attack on the American Pearl Harbor naval base with an American flag burning on a deck. This attack would draw the United States into World War II and would be the primary motivation for the incarceration of Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Since the Japanese-American population was concentrated on the West Coast, the American government viewed Japanese Americans as an internal threat capable of creating similar terror to Pearl Harbor. Interestingly enough, Japanese Americans living in the interior of the United States (Midwest, South, and Northeast) were not interned during the war. Japanese Americans in Hawaii were also not interned, because Japanese Americans were such a large part of the Hawaiian population that their incarceration would have caused an economic downturn.
1942
Location unknown. c. 1939-1946. Courtesy of the Masao Sakagami Collection.
A member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. The regiment was composed almost entirely of Nisei (second-generation) Japanese Americans, mostly from Hawaii. Interestingly enough, Hawaii did not intern its Japanese-American population, for fear that internment would destroy the economy. Why? Japanese Americans made up a huge proportion of the labor force. They also held many high-paying jobs in the business sector. After the war, analysts found that internment in Hawaii would have caused an economic collapse in all sectors of the economy. The 442nd Regiment is the most highly decorated unit in the history of American warfare. The unit received 21 Medals of Honor, 4,000 Purple Hearts, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 588 Silver Stars, and 4,000 Bronze Stars. This unit is so interesting that I recommend you read Densho's encyclopedia article about it: encyclopedia.densho.org/442nd_Regimental_Combat_Team/
A member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. The regiment was composed almost entirely of Nisei (second-generation) Japanese Americans, mostly from Hawaii. Interestingly enough, Hawaii did not intern its Japanese-American population, for fear that internment would destroy the economy. Why? Japanese Americans made up a huge proportion of the labor force. They also held many high-paying jobs in the business sector. After the war, analysts found that internment in Hawaii would have caused an economic collapse in all sectors of the economy. The 442nd Regiment is the most highly decorated unit in the history of American warfare. The unit received 21 Medals of Honor, 4,000 Purple Hearts, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 588 Silver Stars, and 4,000 Bronze Stars. This unit is so interesting that I recommend you read Densho's encyclopedia article about it: encyclopedia.densho.org/442nd_Regimental_Combat_Team/
Bainbridge Island, Washington. March 1942. Courtesy of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community.
A Japanese-American butcher, Mo Nakata, just months after Executive Order 9066. The Nakata family owned the Eagle Harbor Meat Market on Bainbridge Island. Mo worked at the market before and after World War II.
A Japanese-American butcher, Mo Nakata, just months after Executive Order 9066. The Nakata family owned the Eagle Harbor Meat Market on Bainbridge Island. Mo worked at the market before and after World War II.
Manzanar Camp, California. April 2, 1942. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
During internment, internees received meals at a mess hall. Originally, the cooks were white Americans who attempted to tailor the food to the tastes of Japanese Americans. For the most part, they failed--Japanese cooks soon took over the mess halls.
During internment, internees received meals at a mess hall. Originally, the cooks were white Americans who attempted to tailor the food to the tastes of Japanese Americans. For the most part, they failed--Japanese cooks soon took over the mess halls.
San Francisco, California. April 4, 1942. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Just prior to the evacuation of Japanese Americans from San Francisco, Mr. Tatsuno works in his drygoods store. He worked in the drygoods business for 40 years prior to the war. It's unclear if his shop still existed at the end of internment.
Just prior to the evacuation of Japanese Americans from San Francisco, Mr. Tatsuno works in his drygoods store. He worked in the drygoods business for 40 years prior to the war. It's unclear if his shop still existed at the end of internment.
San Francisco, California. April 11, 1942. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
This notice was posted on First and Front Streets and directed the removal of Japanese Americans from designated zones in San Francisco.
"We too, as we face an unknown adventure, which will be filled, no doubt, with ugly things, with undesirable things, with things that will tend to make us cynical, and antagonistic, and pessimistic, must try to make things beautiful where there is ugliness, love where there is hate, goodness where there is evil...Let us face what comes with courage and faith..."
Reverend Lester Suzuki, the last Sunday before evacuation in Los Angeles.
This notice was posted on First and Front Streets and directed the removal of Japanese Americans from designated zones in San Francisco.
"We too, as we face an unknown adventure, which will be filled, no doubt, with ugly things, with undesirable things, with things that will tend to make us cynical, and antagonistic, and pessimistic, must try to make things beautiful where there is ugliness, love where there is hate, goodness where there is evil...Let us face what comes with courage and faith..."
Reverend Lester Suzuki, the last Sunday before evacuation in Los Angeles.
San Francisco, California. April 20, 1942. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
First-graders stand for the pledge of allegiance. Just a few months after this photograph, the students of Japanese ancestry would be forcibly relocated to "war relocation centers," also known as internment camps. After the war, the United States found that there was no legitimate concern that the Japanese population posed a threat to American society. In fact, the vast majority of internees were American citizens who claimed allegiance to the United States.
First-graders stand for the pledge of allegiance. Just a few months after this photograph, the students of Japanese ancestry would be forcibly relocated to "war relocation centers," also known as internment camps. After the war, the United States found that there was no legitimate concern that the Japanese population posed a threat to American society. In fact, the vast majority of internees were American citizens who claimed allegiance to the United States.
Tule Lake, California. April 23, 1942. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Internment camps were generally built on some of the most undesirable land on American soil. This aerial shot of Tule Lake exemplifies that assertion. Tule Lake was drained in the 1900s, and the internment camp essentially existed on a dried lakebed.
Internment camps were generally built on some of the most undesirable land on American soil. This aerial shot of Tule Lake exemplifies that assertion. Tule Lake was drained in the 1900s, and the internment camp essentially existed on a dried lakebed.
Hayward, California. May 8, 1942. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
A young evacuee gazes out of a bus window on its way to the Tanforan Assembly Center. Tanforan was a racetrack in San Bruno, California, where Seabiscuit and Citation once raced. Some internees were "housed" in old horse stalls. Tanforan organized 7,816 evacuees for eventual distribution to internment camps--the second largest of 17 assembly centers on the West Coast.
A young evacuee gazes out of a bus window on its way to the Tanforan Assembly Center. Tanforan was a racetrack in San Bruno, California, where Seabiscuit and Citation once raced. Some internees were "housed" in old horse stalls. Tanforan organized 7,816 evacuees for eventual distribution to internment camps--the second largest of 17 assembly centers on the West Coast.
1943
U.S. government propaganda. c. 1943. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration
War hero Dorie Miller fires at a Japanese warplane. Miller was an African-American member of the Navy and was awarded a Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross (the third-highest honor in the Navy at the time. His heroics at Pearl Harbor made him an icon in the African-American community. Miller later lost his life in the Battle of Makin when a Japanese submarine sank his ship. Government propaganda like this helped justify Japanese internment in the American public eye. By reminding American citizens about Japanese aggression, citizens felt a renewed anger toward the Japanese-American population.
War hero Dorie Miller fires at a Japanese warplane. Miller was an African-American member of the Navy and was awarded a Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross (the third-highest honor in the Navy at the time. His heroics at Pearl Harbor made him an icon in the African-American community. Miller later lost his life in the Battle of Makin when a Japanese submarine sank his ship. Government propaganda like this helped justify Japanese internment in the American public eye. By reminding American citizens about Japanese aggression, citizens felt a renewed anger toward the Japanese-American population.
Tule Lake, California. c. 1943. Courtesy of the Bain Family Collection.
Tule Lake was built on an old lake bed after Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. Internees enjoyed making jewelry from these shells, which they sold to camp employees and fellow internees. Because jewelry could provide extra income, digging for shells became extremely competitive once shells began to become scarce. The most dedicated shell-diggers would rise in the early morning to dig waist-deep holes to excavate shells. Some even made their own wire sieves for sifting through the dried lakebed.
Tule Lake was built on an old lake bed after Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. Internees enjoyed making jewelry from these shells, which they sold to camp employees and fellow internees. Because jewelry could provide extra income, digging for shells became extremely competitive once shells began to become scarce. The most dedicated shell-diggers would rise in the early morning to dig waist-deep holes to excavate shells. Some even made their own wire sieves for sifting through the dried lakebed.
Heart Mountain, Wyoming. February 12, 1943. Courtesy of the Dell Family Collection.
Note the several Caucasian teachers in the photograph. Education continued relatively normally in concentration camps, with Caucasian teachers often filling in to teach music, American history, and English. Some Japanese internees opted to attend Japanese school, which was run almost entirely by Japanese Americans. While this wasn't necessarily the case in rural Heart Mountain, villages surrounding camps (usually composed of almost entirely white Americans) resented Caucasian teachers. Many people theorized that Caucasian teachers chose to teach in internment camps because the wages were higher.
Note the several Caucasian teachers in the photograph. Education continued relatively normally in concentration camps, with Caucasian teachers often filling in to teach music, American history, and English. Some Japanese internees opted to attend Japanese school, which was run almost entirely by Japanese Americans. While this wasn't necessarily the case in rural Heart Mountain, villages surrounding camps (usually composed of almost entirely white Americans) resented Caucasian teachers. Many people theorized that Caucasian teachers chose to teach in internment camps because the wages were higher.
Gila River, Arizona. October 25, 1943. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Children, as you read in interviews, often had few concerns about living in internment camps. In fact, many children enjoyed the camps because they had free time to play with their friends. This was in stark contrast to the feelings of their parents who lost nearly all of their assets during internment.
Children, as you read in interviews, often had few concerns about living in internment camps. In fact, many children enjoyed the camps because they had free time to play with their friends. This was in stark contrast to the feelings of their parents who lost nearly all of their assets during internment.
1944
Tule Lake, California. April 19, 1944. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
A batter fouls off a pitch in the first baseball game of the season at Tule Lake. Despite being interned, Japanese Americans continued to love America's pastime. Nearly half of Tule Lake's 17,000 residents were present on Opening Day.
A batter fouls off a pitch in the first baseball game of the season at Tule Lake. Despite being interned, Japanese Americans continued to love America's pastime. Nearly half of Tule Lake's 17,000 residents were present on Opening Day.
Heart Mountain, Wyoming. May 31, 1944. Courtesy of Yoshio Okumoto.
A young girl, Ayaho Inouye, stands by a guard tower. Parents often recommended that their children steer clear of guard towers when playing. Guards were rumored to be trigger-happy, especially around running children.
A young girl, Ayaho Inouye, stands by a guard tower. Parents often recommended that their children steer clear of guard towers when playing. Guards were rumored to be trigger-happy, especially around running children.
Saint-Die, France. November 11, 1944. Courtesy of the Seattle Nisei Veteran's Committee and the U.S. Army.
A Nisei machine gunner sits on the front lines, ready to attack Germans if they appear. The Saint-Die area was a highly dangerous area, because Hitler ordered his soldiers to defend the area at all costs. During the winter, soldiers endured bitter cold, freezing rain, and snow showers. After the Texas Battalion was encircled by the Germans, General John E. Dahlquist assigned the 442nd to save his men at all costs. Sacrificing over 800 of their own men, the 442nd heroically stymied the Germans and rescued 211 men from the Texas Battalion. The 100th Infantry Battalion, a component of the 442nd, is known as the "Purple Heart Battalion" because of its large number of men injured in combat.
A Nisei machine gunner sits on the front lines, ready to attack Germans if they appear. The Saint-Die area was a highly dangerous area, because Hitler ordered his soldiers to defend the area at all costs. During the winter, soldiers endured bitter cold, freezing rain, and snow showers. After the Texas Battalion was encircled by the Germans, General John E. Dahlquist assigned the 442nd to save his men at all costs. Sacrificing over 800 of their own men, the 442nd heroically stymied the Germans and rescued 211 men from the Texas Battalion. The 100th Infantry Battalion, a component of the 442nd, is known as the "Purple Heart Battalion" because of its large number of men injured in combat.
Saint-Die, France. November 17, 1944. Courtesy of the Seattle Nisei Veteran's Committee and the U.S. Army.
On the front lines, a member of the 442nd Regiment sits with a bazooka.
On the front lines, a member of the 442nd Regiment sits with a bazooka.
Tule Lake, California. November 25, 1944. Courtesy of the Mori/Shimozaki family.
My great-grandparents, George Mori and Nancy Shimozaki, on their wedding day. About 100 people attended. My great-grandmother once recalled that the dinner was elaborate, including sushi and teriyaki chicken. But, my great-grandparents were not allowed to eat because there wasn't enough food to serve all the guests. Despite this happy occasion, the banquet was a reminder of the tribulations of camp life. Imagine not being able to eat at your own wedding banquet! Since then, it has been a family tradition to have at least three times the amount of food at any family gathering.
My great-grandparents, George Mori and Nancy Shimozaki, on their wedding day. About 100 people attended. My great-grandmother once recalled that the dinner was elaborate, including sushi and teriyaki chicken. But, my great-grandparents were not allowed to eat because there wasn't enough food to serve all the guests. Despite this happy occasion, the banquet was a reminder of the tribulations of camp life. Imagine not being able to eat at your own wedding banquet! Since then, it has been a family tradition to have at least three times the amount of food at any family gathering.
1945
Italy. April 4, 1945. Courtesy of the Seattle Nisei Veteran's Committee and the U.S. Army.
A tense moment as Japanese-American members of the 442nd Regiment run for cover as a German artillery shell is about to land outside of their building. The 442nd Regiment was entirely Asian, but actually not entirely Japanese. Several Koreans held high-ranking positions in the 442nd, mostly because they weren't Japanese.
A tense moment as Japanese-American members of the 442nd Regiment run for cover as a German artillery shell is about to land outside of their building. The 442nd Regiment was entirely Asian, but actually not entirely Japanese. Several Koreans held high-ranking positions in the 442nd, mostly because they weren't Japanese.
Lecco, Italy. July 4, 1945. Courtesy of the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee and the U.S. Army.
George Morihiro of the 442nd Regiment hands candy to a young orphan girl. In Lecco, the 442nd attended a Fourth of July celebration for children in St. Joseph's Orphanage. Along with combat, a huge part of military duties included engagement with the community.
George Morihiro of the 442nd Regiment hands candy to a young orphan girl. In Lecco, the 442nd attended a Fourth of July celebration for children in St. Joseph's Orphanage. Along with combat, a huge part of military duties included engagement with the community.
Oahu, Hawaii. September 10, 1945. Courtesy of the Seattle Nisei Veteran's Committee and the U.S. Army.
Kiyoto Nakai, a Japanese-American veteran, sits with his fiancee and seeing-eye dog at the Army's North Sector General Hospital. Nakai was blinded in battle. Despite internment, Japanese Americans sacrificed their lives and bodies for the United States.
Kiyoto Nakai, a Japanese-American veteran, sits with his fiancee and seeing-eye dog at the Army's North Sector General Hospital. Nakai was blinded in battle. Despite internment, Japanese Americans sacrificed their lives and bodies for the United States.
Amache Camp, Colorado. October 1, 1945. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
At its peak, the Amache had 7,567 residents. This picture was taken shortly before the end of WWII. Weeds, dust, and dunes populated the camp. Like all internment camps, Amache was deliberately built on undesirable land.
At its peak, the Amache had 7,567 residents. This picture was taken shortly before the end of WWII. Weeds, dust, and dunes populated the camp. Like all internment camps, Amache was deliberately built on undesirable land.
Location unknown. 1945. Courtesy of the Saul Collection.
A photograph sent to Lieutenant Kurata of the 552nd Field Army Battalion, a subset of the 442nd Regiment, by survivors of the Dachau death camp. The 552nd liberated Dachau earlier that year.
A photograph sent to Lieutenant Kurata of the 552nd Field Army Battalion, a subset of the 442nd Regiment, by survivors of the Dachau death camp. The 552nd liberated Dachau earlier that year.
Post-war
Tokyo, Japan. September 3, 1946. Courtesy of the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee and the U.S. Army.
Nisei citizens and soldiers in the U.S. Army work to translate Japanese documents into English for the Allied Powers. In the aftermath of World War II, peace talks and plans for post-war Japan needed to be clear and precise. By using the language skills of Nisei citizens (many of whom were completely fluent speakers), the American government made these negotiations efficient and effective.
Nisei citizens and soldiers in the U.S. Army work to translate Japanese documents into English for the Allied Powers. In the aftermath of World War II, peace talks and plans for post-war Japan needed to be clear and precise. By using the language skills of Nisei citizens (many of whom were completely fluent speakers), the American government made these negotiations efficient and effective.
Seattle, Washington. September 1952. Courtesy of the Seattle Nisei Veteran's Committee and the U.S. Army.
Three veterans from the 442nd Regiment meet. The veteran in the center is wearing a "Go for Broke" shirt, the motto of the regiment.
Three veterans from the 442nd Regiment meet. The veteran in the center is wearing a "Go for Broke" shirt, the motto of the regiment.
Washington, D.C. August 10, 1988. Courtesy of the Kinoshita Family Collection.
Japanese-American members of Congress and community members crowd around Ronald Reagan as he signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This Act was enacted to address Japanese internment, and allotted $20,000 in reparations to each living person who was interned during the war. Just a couple years later, each internee would receive a check, along with a signed apology note from George H.W. Bush. Left to right: Senator Spark Matsunaga (Hawaii), Representative Norman Mineta (California), Representative Patsy Saiki (Hawaii), Senator Pete Wilson (California), Representative Don Young (Alaska), Representative Robert Matsui (California), Representative Bill Lowery (California), and Harry Kajihara, President, National Japanese American Citizens League. The man in the back is unidentified.
Japanese-American members of Congress and community members crowd around Ronald Reagan as he signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This Act was enacted to address Japanese internment, and allotted $20,000 in reparations to each living person who was interned during the war. Just a couple years later, each internee would receive a check, along with a signed apology note from George H.W. Bush. Left to right: Senator Spark Matsunaga (Hawaii), Representative Norman Mineta (California), Representative Patsy Saiki (Hawaii), Senator Pete Wilson (California), Representative Don Young (Alaska), Representative Robert Matsui (California), Representative Bill Lowery (California), and Harry Kajihara, President, National Japanese American Citizens League. The man in the back is unidentified.
Washington, D.C. August 10, 2018. Courtesy of Tilden Chao and family.
During a trip to Washington, D.C., I made sure to stop by the Japanese Internment Monument. It is one of the most secluded monuments in the city, but has an air of modest elegance characteristic of Japanese culture. Since I took this picture in early August, the surrounding cherry trees were not in bloom. Take a moment to imagine the beauty of this monument in the spring. Unlike other notable monuments which are located on the National Mall, this monument is horizontally aligned with the Capitol.
During a trip to Washington, D.C., I made sure to stop by the Japanese Internment Monument. It is one of the most secluded monuments in the city, but has an air of modest elegance characteristic of Japanese culture. Since I took this picture in early August, the surrounding cherry trees were not in bloom. Take a moment to imagine the beauty of this monument in the spring. Unlike other notable monuments which are located on the National Mall, this monument is horizontally aligned with the Capitol.
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