1. Topics

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
Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 2 (May 27, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-2)
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/
Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 7 (July 15, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-5)
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/
Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 11 (August 12, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-9)
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/
Co-Op News, Vol I. No. 8 (July 22, 1943) (ddr-densho-288-6)
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/
Scene still of Jeanne Wakatsuki (Dori Takeshita) dressed as a baton girl (ddr-densho-317-7)
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/
Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-30)
doc Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-30)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-30/
Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-26)
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/
Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-29)
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/
Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-21)
doc Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-21)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-21/
Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-28)
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/
Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-25)
img Page of Hisa Nimura Horiuchi Scrapbook (ddr-densho-325-25)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-325-25/
Manzanar, staff housing (ddr-densho-343-54)
img Manzanar, staff housing (ddr-densho-343-54)
Staff at Manzanar skiing near the staff housing.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-343-54/
Scrapbook (ddr-densho-361-1)
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/
Party invitation (ddr-densho-361-4)
img Party invitation (ddr-densho-361-4)
Handwritten invitation to the Bussei Installation social
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-361-4/
Pumpkin-shaped invitation (ddr-densho-361-5)
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/
Invitation (ddr-densho-361-6)
img Invitation (ddr-densho-361-6)
Invitation to a song fest and show
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-361-6/
Large group of men and women in front of a camp building (ddr-densho-362-29)
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/
Two Japanese American boys work on a project (ddr-densho-362-19)
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/
Japanese Americans swimming in the irrigation canal (ddr-densho-39-31)
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/
Japanese Americans carrying ice skates (ddr-densho-39-40)
img Japanese Americans carrying ice skates (ddr-densho-39-40)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-40/
Norakuro Harmonica Band (ddr-densho-39-45)
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/
Camp arts and crafts exhibit (ddr-densho-39-14)
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/
Children playing flutes (ddr-densho-39-30)
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/
Japanese Americans preparing for a performance (ddr-densho-39-53)
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/
Japanese Americans gardening (ddr-densho-39-46)
img Japanese Americans gardening (ddr-densho-39-46)
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-39-46/
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