Issei

The earliest wave of Japanese immigrants, the Issei (first generation), had a strong sense of their ethnic identity and retained the values and traditions of their country of birth. Most came to the United States as sojourners and planned to return to Japan after earning their fortunes. In addition, discriminatory laws forbade them from becoming American citizens and from exercising other basic rights, such as owning or leasing land. Since they were thus prevented from fully taking part in American life, it is not surprising that many still identified strongly with the culture of their homeland.

Identity and values (200)
Issei (1023)

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Issei

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1023 items

img Hide (Ninomiya) Yamamoto (ddr-densho-492-39)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-492-39/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-312)

Black and white photographic negative of two Obon dancers in costume, Mrs. Okayama is holding an "uchiwa" (fan), Yukiye Itoyama is holding a tenugui (light cotton towel). Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community. Original print ONLC 3261 (ddr-one-1-437).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-312/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-437)

Black and white photographic print of two Obon dancers in costume, Mrs. Okayama is holding an "uchiwa" (fan), Yukiye Itoyama is holding a "tenugui" (light cotton towel). Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community. Negative ONLC 3131 (ddr-one-1-312).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-437/

img Obon Festival (ddr-one-1-295)

Black and white photographic negative of two unidentified Japanese women in western style clothing with "tenugui" (light cotton towels) around their necks. They are holding "uchiwa" (fan) posing for the camera indoors. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-295/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-640)

Black and white photographic negative of an Issei couple standing behind a set table at a wedding reception posing for the camera.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-640/

img Community Picnic (ddr-one-1-370)

Black and white photographic negative of Ben Kasubuchi eating a piece of chicken at a picnic table at a community picnic at Viking Park hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as the Oregon Buddhist Temple).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-370/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-251)

Black and white photographic negative of five Obon dancers posing for camera in front of trees. First from the left: Kaoru Funatake, fifth from left: Masano Hachiya Yamasaki. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-251/

img Portrait of Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-57)

Chimata Sumida in traditional Japanese outfit. The date written on the bottom of the photograph is the year 1930.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-57/

img Woman knitting (ddr-densho-379-463)

Masako Sumida knitting. Written on the page in the photograph album "Cheryl's Birthday Party 1948".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-463/

img Portrait of Chimata Sumida (ddr-densho-379-58)

Chimata Sumida in a suit poses for his portrait.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-58/

img Group of women outside building (ddr-ajah-4-11)

Caption below photo: 1948 Issei Women at Japanese Methodist Episcopal, South Church, Alameda, CA. Individuals identified

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-4-11/

img Group of men on steps of building (ddr-ajah-4-13)

Caption below photo: Issei leaders of the Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, South in Alameda, CA., in front of Mary Helm Hall, 1953. Individuals identified

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-4-13/

doc Renunciation of Japanese citizenship (ddr-csujad-55-2567)

It certifies Hideo Nakamura's renunciation of his Japanese citizenship. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2679

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2567/

doc B. Nakamura birth certificate (ddr-csujad-55-2566)

Official document stating B. Nokamura was born in Japan. He is a resident of State of California. He married Ita Mignasaki, at Marysville, County of Yuba. They had one male child named Hidao [Hideo] Nokamura (picture is enclosed). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2678

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2566/

img Yoshio Ichikawa, age 26, graduated from Stanford University (ddr-csujad-55-2220)

Black and white photograph depicting Yoshio Ichikawa in graduation cap and gown. Inscription reads, Yoshio Ichikawa' 25, Stanford University, June 1925. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2323

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2220/

doc Dealing with Japanese-Americans (ddr-csujad-55-1641)

Report by John F. Embree, Documents Section, Office of Reports, regarding cultural values of Nisei and Issei and incarceree attitudes towards authority, employment, incarceration, and the war. See also sac_jaac_1651. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1643

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1641/

doc Alien registration receipt card, Form AR-3, Misao Nakano (ddr-csujad-55-178)

Receipt card for Misao Nakano's alien registration. Includes information on Address Reports and Nakano's fingerprint. Form AR-3. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0180

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-178/

img Yoshio Ichikawa with his brother-in-law, Miki (ddr-csujad-55-2215)

Black and white formal portrait photograph of Yoshio Ichikawa, age 19, and his brother-in-law Miki upon their arrival in Sacramento, California from Japan. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2318

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2215/

img Yoshio Ichikawa family (ddr-csujad-55-2221)

Black and white photograph of the Ichikawa family including (left to right) Harue, Hisae, Kikue, and Yoshio Ichikawa. Mr. Ichikawa presented this picture to Mr. Kambara at Meiji Jingu Gaien on April 3, 1932, celebration of the Emperor Jinmu. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2324

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2221/

img Wedding of Yoshio and Harue Ichikawa in Japan (ddr-csujad-55-2219)

Black and white formal portrait photograph of Yoshio and Harue Ichikawa on their wedding day. Harue is pictured, seated, in traditional kimono style wedding attire and Yoshio, standing, is dressed in a suit. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2322

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2219/

doc Notice of assignment, Form WRA-21, Shoji Nagumo (ddr-csujad-55-916)

Notice of work assignment for Shoji Nagumo as an Adult Activity Leader at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Form WRA-21. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0918

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-916/

img Yoshio Ichikawa with his sisters and their husbands, Mr. Miki and Mr. Nakatani (ddr-csujad-55-2217)

Sepia-toned photograph depicting Yoshio Ichikawa, standing at left, Mrs. Miki, seated at left, Mr. Miki, standing center, Mrs. Nakatani, seated at right, and Mr. Nakatani, standing at right. The Mikis owned and operated the Lion Drug Store and the Nakatanis ran the Nippon Movie Theater. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2217/

Petitions from Temporary Council of Block Chairmen on behalf of the Japanese nationals of Heart Mountain Relocation Project (ddr-csujad-55-878)

doc Petitions from Temporary Council of Block Chairmen on behalf of the Japanese nationals of Heart Mountain Relocation Project (ddr-csujad-55-878)

Petition request for medical supplies, food for those on a special diet, release of non-propaganda Japanese films, clothing allowances, release and shipment of cameras and long-wave radios, increased vegetables, spending money, communication with relatives in Japan, equal treatment as Germans and Italians, and repatriation instructions. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-878/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 23, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-323)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on "cooperation between Issei and Nisei" and civil rights issues. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0325

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-323/

doc Note to Mary Tsukamoto, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-47)

Handwritten note, "Never to late to learn! Isseis went to English classes," to Mrs. Mary Tsukamoto expressing appreciation from the Issei adult English class students at the Fresno Assembly Center. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00051

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-47/