Associations and organizations

The Issei (Japanese immigrants) established cultural, business, and religious organizations that supported ethnic enclaves. This early form of networking served more than social and economic interests -- it became a substitute for the extended-family and village systems left behind in Japan. Christian and Buddhist neighborhood churches, Japanese language schools, and sports leagues allowed the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) to participate in organized social activities as well as form peer networks.

Associations and organizations (168)

Gallery view
List view

168 items

img Lotus girls group (ddr-densho-128-96)

These are the female members of Lotus, an association of young members of Seattle's Buddhist Church. Back row (L to R): Sumi Shiota, Marue Sao, Michiko Nishisaka, Mieko Hotta, Tamae Yagi, Toyoko Yamada. Middle row (L to R): Hatsumi Tachiyama, Bessie Sato, Molly Fukutani, Kiyo Ishikawa, Sumiko Tomita, Teru Hino. Front row (L to R ...

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-128-96/

img Lotus group (ddr-densho-128-98)

The Lotus group was an association of young members of Seattle's Buddhist Church. This photo was taken after a Lotus performance at Nippon Kan Theatre.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-128-98/

img Japanese Red Cross (ddr-hmwf-1-64)

"Japanese Red Cross shoyu Mess 29-30, March 26, 1944" as described on back, l4 f5.6 1/2 Plus x DK20-37 D76-8 and 2 50-55

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-hmwf-1-64/

doc Program for a Day of Remembrance event (February 16, 1991) (ddr-janm-4-24)

Day of Remembrance- Remembrance in Action: Continuing Our Fight For Civil Rights event program sponsored by the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations (February 16, 1991).

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-4-24/

doc NCRR (National Coalation for Redress/Reparations) pamphlet (ddr-janm-4-8)

NCRR (National Coalation for Redress/Reparations) brief history and membership sign-up pamphlet.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-4-8/

doc Draft letter by the NCRR (ddr-janm-4-16)

Four-paged draft letter by the NCRR. There is a place at the end for a signature but it is not signed.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-4-16/

img Photograph of Senior Citizen-Pioneer Day (ddr-manz-4-106)

Caption: "Manzanar Keiro Kan (Senior Citizen-Pioneer Day) sponsored by YBA (Young Buddhist Association), September 26, 1943, Rev. Nagatomi and Mayeda in attendance."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-4-106/

img The Y.B.A. cabinet for 1943 (ddr-manz-4-47)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-manz-4-47/

vh Mitsuko Hashiguchi Segment 70 (ddr-densho-1000-12-70)

Husband's community involvement

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-12-70/

vh Fumiko Uyeda Groves Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-10-13)

Father's involvement in the Nikkeijinkai: hosting visiting seamen before the war

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-10-13/

vh Frank Kitamoto Segment 37 (ddr-densho-1000-35-37)

Activities of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community (BIJAC)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-35-37/

vh Mitsuko Hashiguchi Segment 74 (ddr-densho-1000-12-74)

Involvement in community activities, winning the Community Bridge Builder Award in Bellevue

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-12-74/

img Japanese Industrial Association parade (ddr-densho-242-10)

Caption by Ike Hatchimonji: "Brawley, Calif. - probably mid 1920s. Japanese Industrial Association in parade."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-242-10/

img Issei gathered for memorial service (ddr-densho-259-364)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "A group of mostly adult Issei men and women in formal dress in a small meeting hall. I believe that this was the Knights of Pythias Hall which the early Issei pioneers rented for their events. [In this picture,] the Issei remembered their comrades who had earlier died in Hood River...A ...

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-364/

img Issei men in front of Buddhist church (ddr-densho-259-332)

A group of Issei men posed in front of a Buddhist temple in Portland, possibly members of the Nipponjin Kai Japanese Association.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-332/

img Issei men in front of Buddhist church (ddr-densho-259-330)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "39-40 Issei men sitting in chairs in front of what surely must have been a Buddhist church in Portland. The swastika on the door indicates that this was a Buddhist temple. I suspect that these men were members of the Nipponjin Kai--sometimes called the Nihonjin Kai--Japanese Association."

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-330/

img Hood River Japanese Farmers Association (ddr-densho-259-363)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "A large group of Issei men and women, some with their children, and all formally dressed, in front of a stone church. This was the Riverside Church, which is a Congregational church, and it still stands in Hood River. I think that this has a connection with a memorial service which the ...

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-363/

img Interracial gathering (ddr-densho-35-301)

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-35-301/

img Lotus group entertainment (ddr-densho-38-25)

This program was held in the basement of the Seattle Buddhist Church, which was located at 1020 Main Street in Seattle's Nihonmachi area. The Seattle Buddhist Church is now known as the Seattle Buddhist Temple and is currently located at 1427 South Main Street. Lotus was an association for young church members.

http://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-25/