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 Americans playing horseshoes (ddr-densho-188-16)

Tad Horita and Hank Yamashiro.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-16/

img Japanese Americans playing cards (ddr-densho-188-17)

Playing cards: Joe Ishida, Hank Yamashiro, Jack Hirose, Morgan Yamanaka, Tom Maruyama, Mike Yoshimine. Sleeping: Sam Kinoshita.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-188-17/

img Group photo of Boy Scouts in front of barracks (ddr-densho-223-48)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-223-48/

img Boy Scout leaders posing with a flag (ddr-densho-223-47)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-223-47/

doc Letter from Ishi Morishita to Mrs. Charles Gates (ddr-densho-211-8)

Letter from the Morishitas telling about their Christmas in Minidoka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-211-8/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Eva Koyama (ddr-one-5-67)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Santa Fe Detention Center. The envelope is postmarked August 30, 1943. Written in red pencil along the top of the envelope is “9/8-43.” On the left side of the envelope is a cartoon drawing of a yellow train with the words “United Nations” in blue on the side the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-67/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from William Koyama (ddr-one-5-21)

The letter is written on thin paper and possibly missing pages, dated July 21, 1942. William writes to his father about his current classes, describing his Boy Scout troop and his changing weight. He asks after his father's health and the entertainment as his camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-21/

img Minidoka Classmates (ddr-one-5-68)

Black and white photographic print of 11 girls standing outside a barrack at Minidoka posing for a picture. Three girls in the foreground are holding books.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-68/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from his daughter Miriam Kiyo Koyama (ddr-one-5-16)

Letter dated June 21, 1942, from Miriam Kiyo Koyama to her father Kei Koyama. She wishes him a happy Father's Day, tells him that she joined 4H, and hopes that next year they will be together for Father's Day.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-16/

doc Pacific Citizen, Vol. 81, No. 19 (November 7, 1975) (ddr-pc-47-44)

Selected article titles: "Inouye, Mineta Questioning Big Government Spending" (pp. 1, 3), "JACL Gets $75,000 Catholic Grant" (pp. 1-2), "E.O. 9066 Reparations Poll in Favor of Payment to Evacuees" (p. 1), "Poston Indians Welcome Pilgrimage" (p. 5), and "Dances in Camp" (p. 5).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-pc-47-44/

img Sweetheart Beauty Pageant winners (ddr-densho-10-5)

Finalists in the Minidoka concentration camp Sweetheart Beauty Pageant surround the winner. Left to right: Barbara Kurimura, Pauline Tamiyasu, Chizuko Hayashi, Kimi Takatsuka, Noble Kodama, Pearl Hirata, and Fumi Kinoshita. The Sweetheart Beauty Pageant began in the winter of 1943. The contest was designed to lighten the mood of the camp. Each block, or camp division, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-10-5/

img Picnic in the Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-96)

A photograph of incarcerees probably in the Jerome camp in Arkansas, setting up a picnic. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 22. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_22_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-96/

doc Poston camp activities (ddr-csujad-38-340)

Clippings from a publication published at the Poston incarceration camp in Parker, Arizona. Describes activities in the camp. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 23. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_23_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-340/

doc Sumi's farewell party announced Tsukie's engagement to Ray (ddr-csujad-38-348)

A note from Sanaye and ___ H___, inviting to Sumi's farewell party held at Block 318-11C in the Poston camp at 7:30 on November 15. The caption reads: Sumi's farewell party announced Tsukie's engagement to Ray. Title from caption. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 3. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-348/

doc Table 5 (ddr-csujad-38-370)

An item used at a party for teachers held at the Adobe High School at the Poston camp in Arizona. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 13. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_03_14_004

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-370/

img Sigma XI (ddr-csujad-38-205)

Photographed are members of Sigma XI, a Nisei men's basketball team at the Poston camp in Arizona. The caption reads: Sigma XI. Title from caption. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 7. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_07_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-205/

img Tug of war in the Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-91)

Photographed are children incarcerated in the Jerome camp in Arkansas, playing tug of war. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 21. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_21_006

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-91/

img Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (ddr-csujad-38-341)

A scrapbook compiled by Mitzi Masukawa Naohara. Contained are items collected by Mitzi Masukawa during her incarceration at the Poston camp in Arizona, which include postcards, greeting cards, birthday cards, and invitation cards to events, such as, weddings, farewell parties, and dance events. She was a preschool teacher at the Poston camp and the collected items …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-341/

doc Card from Sigma Debs to Mrs. Masukawa, May 12 1944 (ddr-csujad-38-365)

An invitation card to the Mothers' Day Party held on Friday May 12, 1944 at the Dining Hall at the Poston camp in Arizona. The party was coordinated by Sigma Debs, young Nisei women's club in the camp, and the card was sent to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara's mother, Koyuta Masukawa. The caption reads: In honor of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-365/

doc Card from 307 YBA to Mitzi Naohara, March 24, 1945 (ddr-csujad-38-369)

An invitation card to farewell social for Hideko Mayeda and Frank G. Tanaka sponsored by 307 Young Buddhist Association (YBA) held at 307 Mess Hall in the Poston camp in Arizona at 7:30 PM on March 24, 1945. It was sent to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara incarcerated at the Poston camp. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-369/

doc Card to Miss Mitzi Masukawa, May 25, 1945 (ddr-csujad-38-415)

An invitation card to the farewell party, "Sayonara party," held in honor of the teachers and staff of Poston III camp in Arizona, on May 25, 1945. It was sent to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara who was a preschool teacher at the camp. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 36. See this object in the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-415/

img Poston bird carving class (ddr-csujad-35-11)

A group photograph of participants in a bird carving class in the Poston camp in Arizona. They are most likely Issei. A water tank is seen in the background. The handwritten note on the back side reads: April 1945, Poston bird carving class taken in front of barracks, Poston, Arizona. See this object in the California …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-35-11/

doc Man in half moon street (ddr-csujad-38-396)

An announcement card for a movie, "Man in Half Moon street," presented by Campus Echoes at the Poston camp in Arizona on June 23. The caption reads: The movie which was stale till the end. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 27. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-396/

doc It comes up love (ddr-csujad-38-398)

An announcement card for a movie, "It comes up love," presented by Girl Scouts at the Poston camp in Arizona at 6:30 PM on December 3, 1944. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 27. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_03_28_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-398/

img Sack race in Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-88)

A photograph of a sack race in progress in the Jerome incarceration camp in Arkansas. It captures participants and barracks at the camp. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 21. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_21_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-88/