Sports

Sports leagues were important institutions for Japanese Americans growing up on the West Coast. Both boys and girls played basketball, baseball and other sports. The traditional Japanese martial arts of judo and kendo were practiced as well. Baseball became the primary sport for young Japanese Americans who were often prohibited from playing in the white leagues. The highly competitive games in the all-Japanese American leagues built pride and a sense of community.

Community activities (871)
Sports (358)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Joe Kobuki, Sports and recreation in camp

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358 items

img Shoso Nakamoto high jumping (ddr-densho-475-592)

Black and white photograph of Shoso Nakamoto, the 1941 "Hayseed" captain, in the midst of a high jump. Written along the top of the album page is: Shoso Nakamoto 1941 'Hayseed' Captain" in white pencil. Written along the bottom of the album page is: "'Sho' in Action... Take Off..... Over the Bar........ And Over'" in white …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-592/

img Young man sitting on ground in athletic gear (ddr-densho-475-595)

Black and white photograph of an unidentified young man in a sweatshirt and sunglasses. Written on the album page below the photograph is: "Glamorized" in white pencil.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-595/

img Shoso Nakamoto in track uniform (ddr-densho-475-589)

Black and white photograph of Shoso Nakamoto in track uniform. Written below the image is: "High jumped 5' " for C.C.A.L. record" in white pencil. Written along the top of the album page is: Shoso Nakamoto 1941 'Hayseed' Captain" in white pencil.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-589/

img Man running in track event (ddr-densho-475-594)

Black and white photograph of an unidentified young man running a track race. Written on the album page below the photograph is: "'Alone' in 220" in white pencil.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-594/

img Pete Masuoka pole vaulting (ddr-densho-475-598)

Black and white photograph of Pete Masuoka performing a pole vault. Written on the album page below the photograph is: "Pete Masuoka missin' at 12'-6""

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-598/

vh Chris Kato - Yoshi Mamiya - Tad Sato Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-33-13)

Sports teams and community leagues

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-33-13/

vh Chris Kato - Yoshi Mamiya - Tad Sato Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-33-6)

Sports teams and community leagues

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-33-6/

vh Frank Miyamoto Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-50-18)

Participating in organized sports

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-50-18/

vh Jim Akutsu Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-2-10)

Activities growing up; brother's career choices

Interview was conducted over two days because of delays caused by technical difficulties.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-2-10/

vh Toru Sakahara - Kiyo Sakahara Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-76-7)

Seinenkai, sports, and other Nisei social activities

This interview was conducted over two days at the Sakaharas' home.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-76-7/

vh Ben Uyeno Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-100-12)

Prewar activities for Nisei in Seattle, Courier baseball league

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-100-12/

vh Harvey Watanabe Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-102-5)

Activities growing up: sports, learning how to drive

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-102-5/

vh Tom Matsuoka Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-47-11)

Playing baseball with sawmill teams

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-47-11/

vh Shigeko Sese Uno Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-98-6)

The Courier sports leagues

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-98-6/

vh Seichi Hayashida Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-14-11)

Prewar Japanese American community activities: Courier baseball league

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-14-11/

vh Frank S. Fujii Segment 27 (ddr-densho-1000-8-27)

Postwar Japanese American community athletics

This interview was conducted over two days due to electrical problems. The majority of the interview was completed on the second day, September 5.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-8-27/

vh Frank S. Fujii Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-8-7)

Prewar Seattle community athletics

This interview was conducted over two days due to electrical problems. The majority of the interview was completed on the second day, September 5.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-8-7/

vh Tokio Hirotaka - Toshio Ito - Joe Matsuzawa Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1000-23-6)

Importance of Nisei sports and social events

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-23-6/

vh Tokio Hirotaka - Toshio Ito - Joe Matsuzawa Segment 31 (ddr-densho-1000-23-31)

Sports and other activities in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-23-31/

vh Rae Takekawa Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-89-7)

Baseball games in Eastside Seattle Japanese American community

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-89-7/

vh Victor Ikeda Interview Segment 11 (ddr-manz-1-23-11)

Participating in Seattle's Courier League sports teams

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-1-23-11/

vh Ben Chikaraishi Interview Segment 11 (ddr-chi-1-11-11)

Organizing sports leagues and social activities right after the war

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-chi-1-11-11/

vh Fred Oda Interview Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1015-9-11)

Learning kendo

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1015-9-11/

vh Tom I. Mine Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1015-4-3)

Playing baseball with a traveling team as a youth

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1015-4-3/

vh Katsugo Miho Interview III Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1022-3-6)

Playing in competitive sports leagues

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1022-3-6/