Agriculture

Many Issei (first-generation Japanese immigrants) began as sharecroppers. Others sought to buy land, but the Issei had to overcome obstacles preventing them from competing with white farmers. California and other states passed alien land laws prohibiting Asian immigrants from purchasing or leasing agricultural land. There were ways around the discriminatory laws: an Issei father could put the property in the name of his American-born child, or issei could form corporations in which a majority of the shareholders were American citizens. Despite the alien land laws, Issei farmers played a significant role in West Coast agriculture. In the years just prior to World War II, Japanese American families grew 35 percent of the produce in California. By the 1920s, Japanese Americans supplied 75 percent of the produce and half the milk to the Puget Sound region.

Industry and employment (481)
Agriculture (769)

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769 items

img Taenaka family in a farm (ddr-csujad-25-89)

A photograph of Ukichi Taenaka [?], a brother of Toshikuni Taenaka who is a Japanese American Nisei/Kibei soldier. He is harvesting sugar beets in McMorrow's farm, Brighton, Colorado. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_031

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-89/

img Tamie and Haruko Taenaka (ddr-csujad-25-257)

A page from the Taenaka family photo album. Pasted on the pages are eight photographs taken in El Monte, California. Include Kamie and Haruko Taenaka. Photographs also include Durfee's house, and a ranch with horses and cattle, where the Taenakas work. The photographs are probably taken in 1913. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-257/

img Horse drawn plow in sugar beet farm (ddr-csujad-25-101)

A photograph of horses for a plow in a sugar beet farm. The photograph is probably taken in Brighton, Colorado. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_043

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-101/

img Taenaka family in a farm (ddr-csujad-25-81)

A photograph of the Taenaka family in a farm, Brighton, Colorado. Includes Tamesaburo Taenaka, Kamie Taenaka, Ukichi Taenaka [?], and Yaeko Taenaka [?], harvesting sugar beets in McMorrow's farm. The same image is found in item: ucsb_jia_0091. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_023

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-81/

doc Letter from Kimiye Tanimoto to Mr. and Mrs. S. Okine, October 2, 1947 [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-5-211)

A letter from Kimiye Tanimoto to her relatives, Seiichi and Tomeyo Okine. Kimiye is a sister-in-law of the Okine's son, Masao Okine. She recently returned from Japan to the US and is producing grapes in Lodi, California. In the letter, she gives appreciation to Seiichi and Tomeyo for their visit and gifts. See this object in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-211/

doc Letter from Jokichi Yamanaka to Mr. and Mrs. S. Okine, September 5, 1946 [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-5-163)

A letter from Jokichi Yamanaka in Hiroshima, Japan to his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Seiichi and Tomeyo Okine. Jokichi writes about Masao Okine's visit to his place in Hiroshima, Japan and Masao's bringing the gifts from Seiichi and Tomeyo with him. He also writes of Masao's updates on issues in Hollister, California, where Jokichi used to run …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-163/

doc Letter from Y. Fujii to Mr. and Mrs. S. Okine, May 24, 1947 [in Japanese] (ddr-csujad-5-204)

A letter from Yosokichi Fujii, a former incarceree in the Heart Mountain incarceration camp, Wyoming, to Seiichi and Tomeyo Okine. He gives an update of his life after leaving the camp in September 1945 and resettling in Nyssa, Oregon until May 1946. He currently works in Penryn, California in fruit production following his friends' suggestion. He …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-204/

doc Letter from Susanne [Freitas] to the Okine Family, October 29, 1947 (ddr-csujad-5-215)

Thank you note from Susanne Freitas in San Juan Bautista, California, for the chrysanthemum flowers that the Okine's sent to her. She also mentions that she put the flowers on Mrs. Freitas' grave. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: oki_02_54_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-5-215/

img [Couple with children] (ddr-csujad-56-285)

Couple with two children in apple orchard. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-285/

img [Mother and baby] (ddr-csujad-56-303)

Mother poses with her baby. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-04-045

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-303/

img [Children in front of house] (ddr-csujad-56-296)

Double-exposed photo of two children seated in front of foliage and house. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-296/

img [Family in apple orchard] (ddr-csujad-56-259)

Four adults and two children are photographed in Taniguchi apple orchard. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-259/

img [Taniguchi apple dryer] (ddr-csujad-56-308)

The Taniguchi apple dryer, located in Sebastopol. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-308/

img [Crop land] (ddr-csujad-56-173)

In the foreground, a man of the camp works water through the field with a hoe. In the background, more camp internees work on the crops. Photo provided by Tak Kameoka. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-02-040

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-173/

img [Incarcerees in the field] (ddr-csujad-56-168)

Six male incarcerees working in the field, five in the foreground and one in the back. Photo provided by Tak Kameoka. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-02-035

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-168/

img [Taniguchi apple dryer] (ddr-csujad-56-271)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-271/

img [Woman in front of building] (ddr-csujad-56-307)

Woman stands in front of building. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-04-049

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-307/

img [Mr. Taniguchi standing on board] (ddr-csujad-56-302)

Mr. Taniguchi holding bowl and other items, while standing on board. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-302/

img [Mrs. Taniguchi and family in orchard] (ddr-csujad-56-280)

Mrs. Tanuguchi with adults and children in Taniguchi apple orchard. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-280/

img [Outdoor scenes] (ddr-csujad-56-268)

Four photos: Two men sitting on grass in pasture. Group running in pasture. Man standing on ladder in Taniguchi apple orchard. Adults and children pose in front of building. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-268/

img [Produce display] (ddr-csujad-56-167)

Selection of produce on display with a sign above it saying "Amache Farmers". Photo provided by Tak Kameoka. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-02-034

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-167/

img [Man near tractor] (ddr-csujad-56-269)

Man standing near tractor. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-04-011

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-269/

img Oh! My aching back! (ddr-csujad-56-171)

Men of the camp working in the field with baskets next to them for harvesting. Photo provided by Tak Kameoka. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nbea08-02-038

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-171/

img [Woman with baby] (ddr-csujad-56-281)

Woman holding baby, near building in apple orchard. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-281/

img [Children in orchard] (ddr-csujad-56-293)

Close-up of two children in Taniguchi apple orchard. The original image is housed with the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was borrowed for digitization courtesy of the JACL. This image belongs to a group of images related to the Taniguchi family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-56-293/