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

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/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 124 (September 16, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1090)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on job offers, disposal of hot ashes, transportation of "segregees" to Tule Lake, work at bean and seed mills, and girl scouts. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1090/

doc Charter of the community council of Jerome Relocation Center (ddr-csujad-55-40)

Charter document of the "Community Council of the Jerome Relocation Center" including preamble and articles covering composition of the council, eligibility, election procedures, voting, meeting schedule, officer duties, sub-committees, standing committees, gifts, initiative and referendum, rules and regulations, amendments, ratification, and by-laws. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_00044

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-40/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 150 (November 30, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1097)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on employment offers, ice skating rinks, sports announcements, and general information. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1099

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1097/

doc Song sheet with lyrics (ddr-csujad-55-1944)

List of songs and lyrics for ten songs, probably from the "Let's Sing" program at Tule Lake incarceration camp. See also sac_jaac_1943 through sac_jaac_1948. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1947

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1944/

doc Memo from Jiro Fujioka, Co-operating with Block Chairmen, Heart Mountain, to Mr. Motoyoshi, June 21, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-692)

Memorandum from Jiro Fujioka to Speaker, Mr. Motoyoshi, regarding his speech on fine art at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes handwritten comments in Japanese. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0694

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-692/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 232 (September 12, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-939)

News bulletin from Heart Mountain incarceration camp covering a meeting about work at the Tooele Ordinance Depot, election of Community Enterprises committee, stoves, departure of enlisted incarcerees, call for agricultural workers in Utah, funeral services, railroad jobs, sending packages, jobs at the incarceration camp, and baseball games. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-939/

doc General information bulletin (Cody, Wyo.), series 19 (September 29, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-652)

General information bulletin, series 19, published at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp, Wyoming on September 29, 1942. Bulletin including news, events, and topics related to Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Includes: Heart Mountain school opens tomorrow; 3500 at opening of dry goods store; Co-op discussion meeting slated tonight; No cases of spotted fever here; Procedure for employment …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-652/

doc Federal Elementary School (ddr-csujad-55-1432)

Invitation for a musical program and tea at Federal elementary school at the Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 83. See especially sac_jaac_1433. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1434

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1432/

img Tule Lake orchestra combination with Koto and vocal (ddr-csujad-55-2204)

Black and white photograph of the Tule Lake orchestra combination with Koto and vocal, performing on stage at Tule Lake incarceration camp. Verso reads: The full orchestra containing over 30 pieces can't be seen because their [they are] all in the back. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2307

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2204/

doc Sentinel supplement, series 49 (March 23, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1041)

News bulletin for incarcerees covering announcements, events, programs, policies, recreational activities, and jobs at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Current issue includes information on February clothing allowances, beauty and barber shop openings, post office, unemployment compensation, railroad jobs, recreational activities, judo, employment, and shoe repair. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1041/