Returning home

When the camps closed, Japanese Americans were handed $25 and put on trains headed for the places they had been forcibly removed from nearly four years earlier. Harassment was common -- many returning Japanese Americans were greeted with signs reading "No Japs Allowed." Other discovered their property had been vandalized or stolen. Homes and businesses that had been boarded up or left in the care of others were abandoned and stripped of furnishings and goods. For the majority, who did not have homes to return to, housing was the most serious problem. Housing discrimination was severe in many areas and persisted to varying degrees until the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. Former camp inmates with no other options moved into hostels and converted community institutions with conditions not much better than the camps they had just left. Although this period was stressful, it is remembered as a time when people came together to share what they had.

World War II (277)
Leaving camp (372)
Returning home (1150)

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1150 items

doc Miyoshi Family History part 2 (ddr-densho-480-175)

An autobiographical account of Toru Miyoshi's life, including his incarceration at the Gila River Concentration Camp, military service, public service, and family life.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-480-175/

doc Transcript of Toru Miyoshi Oral History (ddr-densho-480-173)

Toru Miyoshi details his family's immigration to the United States, growing up in California, his experience at the Gila River Concentration Camp, and his public service as an elected official.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-480-173/

img Wedding party (ddr-densho-363-1)

Photograph of the wedding party at Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto's wedding. The photograph was taken by Frank C. Hirahara. To view more photographs of the Sakamoto wedding and other photographs taken by Frank C. Hirahara please visit the Oregon Nikkei Endowment's Frank C. Hirahara Collection.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-1/

doc Letter to a Nisei man from his sister (ddr-densho-153-143)

Excerpt: "Okay, okay! I'm writing! Please don't get angry!" Sent from Los Angeles, California, possibly to Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-153-143/

doc Letter to a Nisei man from his father (ddr-densho-153-144)

Excerpt: "We got two trunks and a bag yesterday while we are absent." Sent from Los Angeles, California, possibly to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-153-144/

doc Letter to a Nisei man from his sister (ddr-densho-153-123)

Excerpt: "Thank you very much for your letters." Sent from Manzanar concentration camp, California, possibly to Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-153-123/

doc Letter to a Nisei man from his sister (ddr-densho-153-140)

Excerpt: "Here it is, exactly one week since we got back to Los Angeles." Sent from Los Angeles, California, possibly to Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-153-140/

doc Letter to a Nisei man from his sister (ddr-densho-153-141)

Excerpt: "Please forgive me for not writing more often. I guess a little excitement of being home causes me to forget!" Sent from Los Angeles, California, possibly to Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-153-141/

doc Letter to a Nisei man from his sister (ddr-densho-153-122)

Excerpt: "Today I would like to inform you on some important news." Sent from Manzanar concentration camp, California, possibly to Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-153-122/

doc Letter to a Nisei man from his sister (ddr-densho-153-128)

Excerpt: "Thanks for your letters. It sure sounds like the army life is teaching you quite a few things." Sent from Manzanar concentration camp, California, possibly to Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-153-128/

doc 50th Anniversary of the Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-474-52)

This book traces the first fifty years of the history of the JCC in Seattle. The first four pages covering the introduction from Rev. Archie H. Hook and the brief overview of the church's history are in English, as are the photo captions throughout the book.The bulk of the text is in Japanese. The JCC members' …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-474-52/

img Odori folk dance (ddr-one-1-69)

Color slide of three people posing in Odori costumes (traditional Japanese folk dance), fourth is in western style clothes. From Left to right: Ida (Hobara) Sugahiro, Katie (Iwamoto) Tamiyasu, Wendy (Hongo) Peace, and Lily (Tsujimura) Hongo Fujita.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-69/

img Obon Festival- Odori folk dance (ddr-one-1-226)

Black and white photographic negative of Obon dancers in large circle facing a podium in the center with "uchiwa" (fan) in hand. A large crowd watches on from left side of image. 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-1-226/

img Nisei at Epworth United Methodist Church (ddr-one-1-439)

Black and white photographic print of Nisei at Epworth United Methodist Church most likely during the Northwest Methodist Rally. Front row left to right: unidentified, Martha (Kondo) Miyasaki, Mitsy (Kiyomura) Takeoka, Atsuko "Alice" Kida and Nami (Miura) Koida. Back row: unidentified, Yone (Kanda) Terada, Gloria (Osawa) Fujii, Mary (Kondo) Yamano, Miriam (Koyama) Kiso, and Masae "Elsie" …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-439/

img Obon Festival Dance Rehearsal (ddr-one-1-309)

Black and white photographic negative of Obon dancers rehearsing an Odori folk dance in front of a small audience inside Norse Hall in Northeast Portland. Obon dancers from left to right: Tom Shigeto Tamiyasu, and Arthur Ojiro “Art” Sasaki. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-309/

img Northwest Buddhist Convention Banquet (ddr-one-1-417)

Black and white photographic negative of guests at the Northwest Buddhist Convention banquet dinner in the basement of the Seattle Buddhist Church. A flag with the Wheel of Dharma is visible behind the head table. Sitting at table in foreground on left hand side from left to right: Harry Toshi, unidentified, Irene (Fujii) Mano, unidentified and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-417/

img Obon Festival Dance Rehearsal (ddr-one-1-301)

Black and white photographic negative of Obon dancers practicing an Odori folk dance inside Norse Hall in Northeast Portland. Third Obon dancer from the left is identified as Shizuko "Shiz" (Ochiai) Ota Okazaki. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-301/

img Sorelles Group Photo (ddr-one-1-10)

Original black and white photographic print of the Sorelles, a high school social group. Back Row (left to right): Elsie Okazaki, Anges (Inouye) Kitayama, Atsuko "Alice" Kida, Atsuko “Alice” (Matsumoto) Ando, Nami (Miura) Koida, Kimi Wakabayashi, Grace Mieko (Muramatsu) Ouchida, Masae “Elsie” (Morita) Onishi, and Betty Nakashimada. Middle Row (left to right): Rose Haruye (Muramatsu) Ouchida, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-10/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-436)

Black and white photographic print of six Obon dancers posing for the camera holding small Japanese and American flags. From left to right: Eddie Tamiyasu, Atsuko "Alice" Kida, Jean (Tsujimura) Takashima, Jean Yasuko (Kida) Tomita, Shizuko "Shiz" (Ochiai) Ota Okasaki, Atsuko "Alice" (Matsumoto) Ando. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-436/

img Obon Festival- Odori folk dance (ddr-one-1-272)

Black and white photographic negative of Obon dancers performing in front of crowd. Man on far right identified as Tom Shigeto Tamiyasu. 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-1-272/

img Nisei at Epworth United Methodist Church (ddr-one-1-340)

Black and white photographic negative of unidentified Nisei sitting on sofas at Epworth United Methodist Church. This photograph may have been taken during the Northwest Methodist Rally. Original print ONLC 3262 (ddr-one-1-438).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-340/

img Obon Festival- Odori folk dance (ddr-one-1-194)

Black and white photographic negative of Obon dancers with both arms raised in front of a crowd. From left to right: Rose Haruye (Muramatsu) Ouchida, Tom Tsujimura, Phyllis Midori (Ando) Muramatsu, Shizuko "Shiz" (Ninomiya) Onishi, Toraichi Kobayashi, Hisako (Onishi) Saito, and Henry Matsunaga. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-194/

img Oregon Buddhist Church Annual Lotus Bazaar (ddr-one-1-110)

Black and white photographic negative of the game booths and crowd at the Oregon Buddhist Church's Annual Lotus Bazaar. The Oregon Buddhist Church is now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple. For print please see ONLC 4945 (ddr-one-1-716)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-110/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-270)

Black and white photographic negative of an unidentified dancer posing for the camera in front of mostly empty bleachers. 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-1-270/

img Northwest Buddhist Convention Banquet (ddr-one-1-415)

Black and white photographic negative of guests at the Northwest Buddhist Convention banquet dinner in the basement of the Seattle Buddhist Church. Sitting third from the right is Shiz (Fujita) Inaba, sitting opposite is Yosh Tanabe.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-415/