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 (1454)
Social and recreational activities (1166)

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

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1166 items

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Mary Murakami (June 28, 1942) (ddr-janm-1-28)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Mary Murakami (June 28, 1942). Envelope is postmarked June 29, 1942 from the Poston (Colorado River) Incarceration Camp in Parker, Arizona.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-28/

doc Letter (with envelope) to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (November 27, 1943) (ddr-janm-1-108)

Handwritten letter to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi (November 27, 1943). Envelope is postmarked November 29, 1943 from the Manzanar Incarceration Camp in Manzanar, California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-1-108/

img Group photo (ddr-densho-258-135)

A large group of women gathered in Minidoka, with a few more women looking on from a doorway in the background. Caption below: "Minidoka Camp, Idaho."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-258-135/

img Girl wearing majorette uniform (ddr-densho-28-11)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-28-11/

doc The Harmonaires (ddr-densho-280-8)

This document outlines the history of the musical group, "The Harmonaires," starting in 1939 and following them through the war. A complete list of musicians is included.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-8/

doc Song lists (ddr-densho-280-13)

Two typed pages of popular song lyrics, including Christmas songs.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-280-13/

doc Co-Op News, Vol II. No. 4 (September 16, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-14)

Selected article titles: "24 Co-Op Workers to Transfer to Tule Lake" (p. 1), "Operating Statement for July Released" (p. 1), "Photo Studio to Close, Move to 2-12-EF" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-288-14/

doc Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 2 (May 27, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-2)

Selected article titles: "When You Relocate - What About Your Money in the Co-Op?" (p. 1), "Questions and Answers" (p. 1), "Dust Storms" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-288-2/

doc Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 7 (July 15, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-5)

Selected article titles: "Co-Op Congress to Elect Nine New Directors" (p. 1), "Photo Studio Temporarily Suspends Picture Taking" (p. 1), "Piece Goods Arriving Daily at Dry Goods Store" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-288-5/

doc Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 11 (August 12, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-9)

Selected article titles: "Equity Certificates to be Issued Saturday" (p. 1), "Patrons Urgedto Call for Repaired Shoes Promptly" (p. 1), "Studio Suspends Picture Taking for Two Weeks" (p. 1), "Subscription to Salt Lake Tribune Cancelled" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-288-9/

doc Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 8 (July 22, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-6)

Selected article titles: "Equity Certificates For First Quarter to be Distributed Soon" (p. 1), "Construction on Ice House Started Tuesday" (p. 1), "Picture Taking Resumed" (p. 1).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-288-6/

img Scene still of Jeanne Wakatsuki (Dori Takeshita) dressed as a baton girl (ddr-densho-317-7)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-317-7/

doc Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-30)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-30/

doc Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-26)

This page of the scrapbook features several different invitations Hisa received to different social events hosted at Tule Lake concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-26/

doc Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-29)

This scrapbook page contains more invitations to different social functions at Tule Lake concentration camp. There is also a program for the first commencement from Tri-State High School, the camp's high school.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-29/

doc Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-21)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-21/

doc Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-28)

Scrapbook contains several invitations to various social events at Tule Lake concentration camp including Nobuya Nimura's graduation program.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-28/

img Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-25)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-25/

img Manzanar, staff housing (ddr-densho-343-54)

Staff at Manzanar skiing near the staff housing.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-343-54/

img Scrapbook (ddr-densho-361-1)

Written on tape on cover: "This scrapbook is original--1942 Nobuko Omoto (Sakai) Bainbridge Island, WA. Please handle with care."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-361-1/

img Party invitation (ddr-densho-361-4)

Handwritten invitation to the Bussei Installation social

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-361-4/

img Pumpkin-shaped invitation (ddr-densho-361-5)

Written inside: "Please accept this invitation and start your preparation for a joyful celebration with a happy aggregation--enjoy participation in the fun and recreation at Halloween Mixer, November 7, &:00 P.M. 15-15 Bring your friends"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-361-5/