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)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Issei

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

1023 items

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida (ddr-one-3-131)

One copy of a color studio portrait photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida taken in celebration of her 89th birthday. Inscribed on the back "#11."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-131/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida in her home (ddr-one-3-118)

Color photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida standing next to piece of furniture in her home in White Salmon, Washington.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-118/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida (ddr-one-3-100)

Color polaroid photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida in front of the Kidas' home in Pucker Huddle in White Salmon, Washington.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-100/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-40)

Slightly yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked October 19, 1942. Along the top 10-23-1942 is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp. Inside the envelope is a letter dated October 17, 1942. Teru writes about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-40/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-20)

White air mail envelope with a red, white and blue border. The envelope is addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama. The envelope is postmarked Jul 21, 1942, and in red pencil below the postmark is the date 7/25/42. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-20/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Lois (ddr-one-5-48)

Seven page letter to Kei Koyama from Lois at Minidoka dated March 8, 1943. The pages are thin and have water damage. The letter talks about religion (Buddhism and Christianity), the different between Nisei and Kibei, and many other topics about daily life at Minidoka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-48/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Eva Koyama (ddr-one-5-38)

Letter dated Oct 5, 1942, to Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from his daughter, Eva Koyama. In the letter Eva writes about life at Minidoka: Shin came to visit, school is starting soon, Mr. Mita's funeral, lunch, and Girl Scouts. Eva sends her regards to Dr. Tanaka and Mr. Ikeya.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-38/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Yoshi Sato (ddr-one-5-42)

Envelope addressed to Mr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from Yoshio Sato at Minidoka. Postmarked November 11, 1942. In red pencil “Dec 15, 42” is written. Along the right edge of the envelope is a white sticker, on the back side of the envelope it reads "U.S.A. 269." Inside the envelope is a letter dated Nov. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-42/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Lois Sato (ddr-one-5-18)

Postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from Lois Sato at the Portland Assembely Center. Postmarked Jul 9, 1942. On the left side of the front of the postcard is a red Censored stamp with an unknown signature. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message from Lois Sato. She writes about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-18/

doc Envelope and three letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Koyama family (ddr-one-5-1)

White envelope addressed to Mr. Kei Koyama in Missoula, Montana, from the Koyama family in Portland. The envelope is postmarked December 31, 1941. A purple "CENSORED" stamp is on the front of the envelope. Inside the envelope are three letters from Kei's daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama; his son, William Koyama; and his wife, Teru Koyama. Miriam …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-1/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Miriam Koyama (ddr-one-5-37)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, and daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama. Postmarked October 6, 1942. To the left of the postmark “Oct 11, 1942,” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp from Camp Livingston. Inside the envelope are …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-37/

doc Envelope to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-17)

White air mail envelope with a red, white and blue border. The envelope is addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston. Sender information written in the upper left corner as "Mrs. Kei Koyama/No 16109 sec. 3-D-10/Japanese Assembly Center/N. Portland, Oregon." Postmarked June 23, 1942. Two additional dates handwritten below the postmark: "June 23-42" and "June …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-17/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-47)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, in Minidoka. Postmarked Mar 8, 1943. In red pencil “Mar 19,1943” is written next to the postmark. In the upper right corner “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in black ink. Along the left edge of the envelope is clear tape that …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-47/

doc Envelope, card, and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Miriam Kiyo Koyama (ddr-one-5-9)

Envelope addressed to Dr. K. Koyama at Fort Missoula from his daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama, in Portland. Postmarked March 7, 1942. In the lower left corner is a purple "EXAMINED" stamp with a cursive D written above in red pencil. On the back the envelope is sealed with a red victory sticker. Inside the envelope is …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-9/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-7)

Yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Kei Koyama at Fort Missula with two postmarks from Portland; dated February 6, 1942. Handwritten is “Air Mail/SPECIAL DEL.” on the left side of the envelope; in red pencil “Feb 13” is written below. There are two purple stamps in the lower left corner: one is a "Fee" stamp from the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-7/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Eva Koyama (ddr-one-5-19)

Yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, in the Portland Assembly Center. The envelope is postmarked Jul 13, 1942. In red pencil “7/16-42” is written just below the postmark. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "CENSORED" stamp with unknown initials below the stamp in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-19/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-35)

Front of one cent postcard is addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Oct. 1942 over a six cent airmail stamp. On the left side of the front of the postcard is a purple "Censored" stamp. The message on the back of the postcard is dated Sept. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-35/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-72)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at the Santa Fe Detention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Oct 4, 1943. In the upper right corner “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in place of a stamp. The numbers “10-8-43” are written along the top of the envelope in red pencil. Inside is a …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-72/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Miriam Kiyo Koyama (ddr-one-5-52)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama, at Minidoka. In place of postage “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in the upper right hand corner. Postmarked Apr. 18, 1943. In the upper center of the envelope “4/30-43” is written in red pencil. Along the left edge of the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-52/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Miriam Kiyo Koyama and William Koyama (ddr-one-5-28)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his children, William Koyama and Miriam Kiyo Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Sep 11, 1942. To the left of the postmark “Sept 14, 42” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp. Inside the envelope are two letters, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-28/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-6)

One cent postcard addressed to Dr. Kei Koyama at Fort Missoula from his wife, Teru Koyama, in Portland. The address on the front of the postcard is typed. Postmarked Feb 4, 1942. Censored stamp on the front, with an unknown signature in red pencil. Typed message on the back updates Kei about the children, her health, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-6/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-12)

One cent postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Fort Sill from his wife, Teru Koyama, at the Portland Assembly Center. Postmarked May 14, 1942. Message on the back dated May 13, 1942. Teru writes to Kei about her and the children getting their first typhoid shots, her new work duties, and the family's enjoyment of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-12/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-29)

One cent postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. The return sender information has both a mailing and telegram address listed. Postmarked Sep. 15, 1942. Below the postmark “9/20/42” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the postcard is a purple "Censored" stamp. The …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-29/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-69)

Letter to Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from his wife, Teru Koyama, dated Sept. 1, 1943. In the upper left corner is an "EXAMINED" stamp. The letter is brown and has a water stain along the right side. In the letter Teru updates Kei on their friends' situations in Minidoka: several had children leave for jobs outside or …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-69/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from William Koyama (ddr-one-5-64)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Santa Fe Detention Center from his son, William Koyama, at Minidoka. Envelope is postmarked August 3, 1943. In red pencil "8/10-43" is written above the receiver's information. The letter from William Koyama is yellowed and water-damaged. At the bottom of the letter is an "EXAMINED" stamp with unknown initals. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-64/