Pre-World War II

img Group photograph on deck of the M.S. Chichibu Maru (ddr-densho-494-2)

Names of passengers written on photograph in Japanese and English. Caption on webpage: "Leaving San Francisco \ Meriko traveled second class" and "Among the other second-class passengers was Mitsuko Neeno (later Nishimoto) (1920-2015), with whom Meriko became friends."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-2/

img Two women on the deck of a ship (ddr-densho-494-3)

Caption on webpage: "Meriko's ocean-going conveyance for the return trip was the Tatuta Maru. Evidently, Japan's war preparations already included using female personnel on civilian ships. The subject is identified as 'Tarkie'. The ship was torpedoed by the US Navy in early 1943." and "Here, Tarkie [an officer on the ship Tatuta Maru] stands with Miss …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-3/

img Meriko and Mitsuko Neeno laughing (ddr-densho-494-21)

Photograph of Mitsuko "Mitzi" (Neeno) Nishimoto (left) and Meriko Maida (right) sharing a laugh. Caption on webpage: "Leaving San Francisco \ Meriko traveled second class" and "With her Los Angeles friend Mitsuko Neeno (later Nishimoto)."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-21/

doc Meriko Maida: Last Link to Japan (ddr-densho-494-49)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-49/

img Two men sharing a drink (ddr-densho-494-45)

Torayoshi (Muraki) Maida is sitting on the left. Caption on website: "Saying goodbye to Japan / After accepting the offer of marriage from the Maida family, Torayoshi spent some time at his family home in Kebara." and "Farewell, 1919"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-45/

img Girls playing the piano (ddr-densho-494-20)

Portrait of Meriko Maida seated a piano and Kimiko Uchita standing behind her. Caption on webpage: "Kokawa Girls High School, Wakayama Prefecture, 1937-38" and "Did Meriko play the piano? She does for the camera, at least."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-20/

img Portrait of Kimiko Uchita (ddr-densho-494-4)

Caption on webpage: "Kokawa Girls High School, Wakayama Prefecture, 1937-38" and "A student in Meriko's class was also an American: Kimiko Uchita, Seattle, WA."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-4/

img Students at Tennoji Normal School (ddr-densho-494-36)

Torayoshi (Muraki) Maida is circled in red. On the right side of the image is a caption in Japanese. Caption on webpage: "At Tennoji Normal School (=teacher's college) / In modern times, Tennoji was combined with another school to create the current Osaka University of Education (Osaka Kyoiku University)." and "Tennoji ??? vocational school, Osaka; ca …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-36/

img Teaching staff and students at Nishinoda Elementary School (ddr-densho-494-40)

Torayoshi (Muraki) Maida is circled in red. Caption on website: "Teaching at Nishinoda Elementary School" and "Teaching at Nishinoda Elementary School, Osaka, ca 1918"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-40/

img Muraki Family in front of their house (ddr-densho-494-43)

Caption on website: "Saying goodbye to Japan / After accepting the offer of marriage from the Maida family, Torayoshi spent some time at his family home in Kebara." and "The family home in Kebara, in 1919"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-43/

doc From the scrapbook of Torayoshi Muraki Maida (in Japan until 1919) (ddr-densho-494-53)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-53/

img Class photograph from Kokawa Girls High School (ddr-densho-494-5)

Girl on far left center circled in red is Meriko Maida. Caption on webpage: "Kokawa Girls High School, Wakayama Prefecture, 1937-38" and "Meriko said she was allowed certain privileges as a foreigner. For example, she had a permanent, strictly forbidden to native Japanese."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-5/

img Muraki Family portrait (ddr-densho-494-44)

Back row left to right: Torayoshi (Muraki) Maida, Matsue Uranishi, Tomohei Muraki, and Densaburo (Muraki) Bando. Front row left to right: Hamae Nakagoshi, Katsuno Sumiya, and Kuma Kishida. Caption on website: "Saying goodbye to Japan / After accepting the offer of marriage from the Maida family, Torayoshi spent some time at his family home in Kebara." …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-44/

img Portrait of Meriko in a kimono (ddr-densho-494-8)

Caption on webpage: "On to Tokyo" and "It is possible that Meriko was shopped around for marriage possibilities, hence the traditional dress."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-8/

doc M.S. Chichibu Maru (ddr-densho-494-1)

Postcard of the M.S. Chichibu Maru. Caption reads, "N.Y.K. Line, M.S. Chichibu Maru 17,500 Gross Tons." Caption on webpage: "Leaving San Francisco \ Meriko traveled second class" and "The Chichibu Maru was in service 1930-1943. Was sunk by US forces en route to Singapore."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-1/

img Teaching staff at Daiho Elementary School (ddr-densho-494-37)

Torayoshi (Muraki) Maida is circled in red. Caption on website: "Teaching at Daiho Elementary School" and "Daiho Elementary School ca 1913"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-37/

img Portrait of a woman in kimono (ddr-densho-494-42)

Caption on website: "Life in Osaka for the new teacher / Torayoshi appears to have had two teaching jobs after graduating from teaching college, both at the elementary level. He lived in a boarding house, and his scrapbook contains a couple pictures of other residents. At least one is labeled 'lover'." and "Girlfriend in Osaka, ca …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-42/

img Family portrait (ddr-densho-494-22)

Standing: Meriko Maida (left), and Takahashi (right). Crouched: Miyuki (left) and Ikuko (right). Caption on webpage: "Family matters, 1938" and "Meriko in a school uniform, standing with cousins identified as Takahashi, Miyuki, and Ikuko."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-22/

img Portrait of four students at Nishinoda Elementary School (ddr-densho-494-39)

Caption on website: "Teaching at Nishinoda Elementary School" and "Teaching at Nishinoda Elementary School, Osaka, ca 1918"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-39/

img Ship officer with a life preserver and binoculars (ddr-densho-494-19)

Caption on webpage: "Going back home, 1939 \ Meriko's ocean-going conveyance for the return trip was the Tatuta Maru. Evidently, Japan's war preparations already included using female personnel on civilian ships. The subject is identified as 'Tarkie'. The ship was torpedoed by the US Navy in early 1943." and "Meriko identifies this ship officer as 'Tarkie', …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-19/

img Portrait of one man and three young boys (ddr-densho-494-38)

Torayoshi (Muraki) Maida with three students from Nishinoda Elementary School. Caption on website: "Teaching at Nishinoda Elementary School" and "Teaching at Nishinoda Elementary School, Osaka, ca 1918"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-494-38/