Social and recreational activities

Japanese Americans found ways to fill the long days created by the enforced idleness of camp life. They made jewelry from shells found in the desert, built furniture for their rooms using scrap lumber and renovated the exteriors of their barracks. People also played cards, chess, checkers, mahjongg, and the Japanese games 'go' and 'shogi.' Camp inmates held dances, concerts, plays, and arts and crafts exhibitions. In Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho, they even held a beauty contest to select the "Sweetheart of Minidoka."

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1434)
Social and recreational activities (1155)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Arts and crafts in camp, Music in camp

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1155 items

img Japanese American weightlifter (ddr-densho-2-66)

Kaz Tsujikawa lifts weights as his friends look on.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-66/

img Japanese American making jewelry (ddr-densho-2-61)

Peggie Yorita makes jewelry from shells found at the Tule Lake concentration camp. Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. The camp was located on the old lake bed, where people found shells for making jewelry to sell to camp personnel. Shells were scarce, and digging became competitive. To beat the rush, some peopel got …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-61/

img Minidoka camp queen and her court (ddr-densho-2-34)

Minidoka concentration camp queen and her court. Left to right: Unidentified, Aiko Heyamoto, Grace Kawata, unidentified, and Ann Nakamura.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-34/

img Camp garden (ddr-densho-2-69)

This garden was designed by Mr. Kogita (first name unknown), second from the left. Peggie Yorita is on the far left.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-69/

img Shells used for jewelry making (ddr-densho-2-51)

Japanese Americans at the Tule Lake concentration camp enjoyed making jewelry from shells, such as the ones shown here, which were found within the confines of the camp. These shells have not yet been bleached. Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. The camp was located on the old lake bed, where people found shells …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-51/

img Japanese Americans digging for shells (ddr-densho-2-48)

Left to right: Peggie Yorita, Margaret Frost (wife of one of the camp's teachers), Kumataro Nishimura, and his wife, Kadju, dig and sift for shells at the Tule Lake concentration camp. Kumataro made the sieve by hand from scrap lumber and wire from a door screen. The shells were bleached and used for jewelry-making, which was …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-48/

img Block 26 garden and pond (ddr-densho-2-68)

Japanese Americans from Block 26 fashioned this garden and pond.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-68/

img Japanese Americans digging for shells (ddr-densho-2-47)

These individuals are digging for shells to make jewelry, which was a popular pastime for many Japanese Americans in camp. Left to right: Kumataro Nishimura, Kadju Nishimura, Jimmie Yorita, Neal Frost (son of one of the teachers at Tule Lake), and Patsy Yorita. Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. The camp was located on …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-47/

img May Day queen and king (ddr-densho-2-67)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-67/

img Japanese Americans preparing shells for jewelry making (ddr-densho-2-50)

Kumataro (left) and Kadju Nishimura measure and separate shells to be used in jewelry-making. The Nishimuras woke up at the crack of dawn and dug waist-deep holes to find the shells. The shells were then bleached white and later painted. Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. The camp was located on the old lake …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-50/

img Minidoka Matinee Orchestra (ddr-densho-2-36)

Left to right: Joe Owaki (drums), Hiro Nishimoto (MC), Dorrie Abe (piano), Ted Shimano (orchestra conductor), Amy Iguchi (clarinet), Yosh Ogata (saxophone), George Kaku (violin), and Sally Makishima (violin). The residents of the Minidoka concentration camp formed numerous musical ensembles to pass the time. Orchestras, bands, and choirs frequently staged performances for entertainment.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-36/

img Japanese American making shell jewelry (ddr-densho-2-58)

Peggie Yorita making jewelry from shells found within the confines of the Tule Lake concentration camp. Making jewelry was a popular pastime for the Japanese Americans. Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. The camp was located on the old lake bed. As a result, shells were available for people to fashion into jewelry for …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-58/

img Building a skating pond in Minidoka (ddr-fom-1-711)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-711/

img Sweetheart dance court on stage (ddr-fom-1-66)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-66/

img Christmas decorations in an activity hall (ddr-fom-1-56)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-56/

img Stage at a Sweetheart Dance (ddr-fom-1-64)

On stage are an MC, the band, and the court.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-64/

img Biwa performance (ddr-fom-1-71)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-71/

img Biwa performance (ddr-fom-1-72)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-72/

img King and queen crowned at an event (ddr-fom-1-612)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-612/

img The Minidoka swimming hole (ddr-fom-1-905)

WRA caption on reverse: "Swimming hole located south of warehouse are adjacent to the North Side Irrigation Canal which may be seen at upper right. Water flows from canal into pool and back out again. The average depth of pool is 6 feet."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-fom-1-905/