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 (283)
Concentration camps (2078)
Social and recreational activities (1262)

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

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1262 items

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/

img Invitation (ddr-densho-361-6)

Invitation to a song fest and show

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-361-6/

img Large group of men and women in front of a camp building (ddr-densho-362-29)

A large group of men and women gather in front of a building for a group photo. Japanese writing is on the front of the photograph.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-362-29/

img Two Japanese American boys work on a project (ddr-densho-362-19)

Tom Konishi works on cutting out a design on a machine with another young man.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-362-19/

img Japanese Americans swimming in the irrigation canal (ddr-densho-39-31)

Japanese Americans swim in the irrigation canal that ran along the perimeter of the Minidoka concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-31/

img Japanese Americans carrying ice skates (ddr-densho-39-40)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-40/

img Norakuro Harmonica Band (ddr-densho-39-45)

The Norakuro Harmonica Band played instruments in addition to the harmonica. At camp dances the group performed both American and Japanese music as well as American music with Japanese lyrics. Many of its members were Kibei, Nisei who were born in the United States but educated in Japan.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-45/

img Camp arts and crafts exhibit (ddr-densho-39-14)

Original museum description: Photograph, black and white glossy of an arts and crafts exhibit in an auditorium at the Minidoka internment camp. Rows of tables are seen with arts and crafts displays. Hanging upright are scrolls, embroidery, paintings and drawings. In the foreground are a model of a water tower on the left and a desk …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-14/

img Children playing flutes (ddr-densho-39-30)

Original museum description: Photograph taken at Minidoka internment camp, black and white glossy, shows a group of Japanese American girls playing the flute, girls are wearing coats, some have on scarves, barrack is in the background. (Info from original museum description)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-30/

img Japanese Americans preparing for a performance (ddr-densho-39-53)

Japanese Americans from the Minidoka concentration camp prepare for a Japanese dance or theater performance.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-53/

img Japanese Americans gardening (ddr-densho-39-46)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-46/

img Baton girls at Jerome concentration camp (ddr-densho-321-9)

Captioned: "Baton Girls / Denson 1944."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-321-9/

img Children led in physical activity (ddr-densho-402-30)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-402-30/

img Body of water at Manzanar (ddr-densho-402-24)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-402-24/

doc Ballot for "Sweetheart of Minidoka" contest (ddr-densho-383-529)

Ballot for Section Two

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-383-529/

doc Piece of writing about life in camp written on back of list of regulations about shower and laundry facilities (ddr-densho-383-577)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-383-577/

doc Letter from Kaz Ikebasu to Kats Nagai (ddr-densho-379-349)

Letter from Kaz Ikebasu, Departmental Supervisor of Community Activities, wishing Kats well on his departure and stating appreciation of his work at Community Activities.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-349/

doc Memorandum from C. B. Price to Kats Nagai (ddr-densho-379-376)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-376/

doc Highlights of the Community Activities of Rowher 1/1-3/31/1943 (ddr-densho-379-344)

Kaz Ikebasu, Departmental Supervisor's Report of Community Activities. Local McGehee community organizations participated in some of the programs.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-344/

doc Letter from C. B. Price, Director of Community Activities, to Kats Nagai (ddr-densho-379-379)

Accouncement of upcoming Motion Picture Preview

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-379/

doc Letter from C. B. Price to Kats Nagai (ddr-densho-379-383)

C.B. Price, Director of Community Activities, thanks Kats Nagai for showing places of interest to citizens of McGehee.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-383/

img Heart Mountain USO dance (ddr-densho-513-2)

Jack Furumura singing at a USO Thanksgiving dance at Heart Mountain.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-513-2/

img Japanese American and friend sifting for shells (ddr-densho-2-59)

Patsy Yorita (left) and Neal Frost, (son of a teacher at the Tule Lake concentration camp), sift dirt for shells. The shells were used by people in the camp to make jewelry. Tule Lake was drained in the early 1900s. The camp was located on the old lake bed, where people found shells for making jewelry …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-59/

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/