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 (277)
Concentration camps (1771)
Social and recreational activities (1230)

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

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1230 items

doc Final report: Community Activities Section (ddr-csujad-55-1856)

Report on the Community Activities Section at Poston incarceration camp. Includes organization of the Community Activities Section, relation to other sections and evacuees, personnel, recreational facilities and equipment, historical development of the program, individual programs, financing, center closing, and colophon. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1859

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1856/

doc Autumn hop (ddr-csujad-55-1954)

Invitation to the Autumn Hop at Tule Lake incarceration camp. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1957

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1954/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 91 (June 29, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1070)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on a "self-government" charter, employment, coal, "relocation" interviews, training courses, girl scouts, sports announcements, and other camp activities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1072

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1070/

doc Passport no. 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-1844)

Passport belonging to Mr. McClaren (McLaren) for a cruise to Hawaii aboard the S.S. Aloha. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1847

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1844/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 84 (June 15, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1064)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, a sling shot warning, movies, training courses, an upcoming conference, and lost-and-found. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1066

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1064/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 93 (July 2, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1071)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment, railroad jobs, improper use of official stationary, training courses, victory gardens, tax exemptions, camp recreation, and sports. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1073

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1071/

img Landscaping at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1369)

Scrapbook page containing four black and white photographs depicting landscaping and plants at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes a photograph of a group of children standing on a Japanese style bridge. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 40. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1369/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 99 (July 15, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1077)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on family reunions, sawmill jobs, nurses aide classes, Heart Mountain charter, employment opportunities, summer playground schedule, a death announcement, report on Chicago street fight, and sports announcements. Includes section in Japanese. See this object …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1077/

doc Recreation: as directed by the internees themselves (ddr-csujad-55-1455)

Scrapbook page with an essay on internee-led recreation activities at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 104. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1457

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1455/

doc Miss Doris Yagi's School of Fashion (ddr-csujad-55-1956)

Invitation to Miss Doris Yagi's School of Fashion "Get together whirl" at Tule Lake incarceration camp. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1959

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1956/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 160 (January 7, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-1098)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on certificate transfer, classes, Well Baby clinic schedule, boarding school, and job offers. Includes text in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1100

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1098/

doc Memo to Mr. Takamura from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. Takamura, July 19, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-709)

Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Mr. Takamura regarding his speech on astronomy at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0711

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-709/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 56 (April 13, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1045)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on rations, employment, unemployment compensation, a speech by the YMCA Secretary, classical music concert, boxing schedule, and sports. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1047

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1045/

doc Cody Reminder, vol. 1, no. 9 (November 30, 1942), Heart Mountain edition (ddr-csujad-55-1021)

News bulletin featuring advertisements for items available through the Cody Trading Company and brief articles related to news and events at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1023

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1021/

doc Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Rev. Aso, July 19, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-703)

Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Rev. Aso, regarding his "my Experiences, Sea Islands" speech at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0705

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-703/

img Tule Lake musicians (ddr-csujad-55-2211)

Black and white photograph of musicians at Tule Lake incarceration camp. Pictured from left to right (standing): C. Nagao, K. Yamamoto (singer), unidentified (singer), J. Ota, S. Arima, J. Hatanaka (singer), F. Kunisawa (singer), unidentified (singer), [Frank Yoshimi]. Sitting - K. Arima, T. Matsuoka, B. Yokotaki, H. Nakata, J. Mitsukiro, and N. Yamaguchi. See this object …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2211/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, January 5, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-394)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on clothing allowances, detectives, recreation, and facilities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0396

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-394/

doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 18, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-319)

Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on Engei-bu Committee, facilities, food, and recreation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0321

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-319/

doc Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Rev. Abe, July 19, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-704)

Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Rev. Abe, regarding his "S. America: mythical [?]" speech at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0706

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-704/

doc Letter from the YWCA Board of Directors, Mrs. Don Tonuimi, Chairman, Heart Mountain Relocation Project, January 19, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-718)

Correspondence from Don Tonuimi regarding a speaker event at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0720

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-718/

doc List of recreation equipment and supplies at Heart Mountain (ddr-csujad-55-946)

List of recreation equipment and supplies at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes Japanese handwritten notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0948

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-946/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 228 (August 31, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-943)

News bulletin from Heart Mountain incarceration camp covering jobs through the Army Ordinance Division, lost and found, adult education, visitors to Heart Mountain, Red Cross, college opportunity, books for Japanese prisoners, mailing Christmas packages, and other job offers for incarcerees. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0945

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-943/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 227 (August 29, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-944)

News bulletin from Heart Mountain incarceration camp covering election of Trust Committeemen, pre-induction physicals, donation drive for scholarship fund, contraband, lumber work opportunities, rules and regulations, and job opportunities at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0946

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-944/

doc Report of the summer leisure time program for boys and girls-1943 (ddr-csujad-55-1692)

Report on the summer leisure program for children at Rohwer incarceration camp. Covers purpose and plans of the program, development of plans for program and leadership, experience of interest groups, and evaluation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1694

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1692/

img Setsuko Abe Hirano (left) and cousin, Edith Abey (right) dancing Japanese buyo dance at Topaz (ddr-csujad-55-2201)

Setsuko was sent from San Leandro to the Tule Lake camp and later transferred to the Topaz camp. Doris Abey Hrubant aka Sahomi Tachibana, was their dance teacher at Tule Lake and Topaz (Edith's older sister). The Abe family decided to change the spelling to "Abey" so most Americans would pronounce it correctly. See this object …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2201/