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
Card to Mitzi Naohara, May 18, 1945 (ddr-csujad-38-368)
doc Card to Mitzi Naohara, May 18, 1945 (ddr-csujad-38-368)
An invitation card to a dance program, "Adios Amigos" held at 318 Mess Hall of the Poston camp in Arizona, on May 18, 1945. It was sent to "Mitsuko" who is Mitzi Masukawa Naohara incarcerated at the camp. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 13. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …
Junction
doc Junction "Jive" (ddr-csujad-38-351)
A program for an event, "Junction 'Jive,'" held at the Poston camp in Arizona on Saturday November 13, 1943. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 3. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_03_04_004
Sack ace in the Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-102)
img Sack ace in the Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-102)
Photographed are children incarcerated in the Jerome incarceration camp in Arkansas, playing a sack race. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 22. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_22_007
Block R's of 318 Block (ddr-csujad-38-183)
img Block R's of 318 Block (ddr-csujad-38-183)
School yearbook photo taken by Paul Shintaku. Photographed are Tosa Aoki, John, Ben Nobuhiro, Ben Kitahara, Bob, Kan Ibasa, Seizo Ishizaki, Kiyo Ishida, and Harry Fukuhara, who are members of "Block R's of 318 Block," a Nisei men's club of the high school, at the Poston camp in Arizona. The caption reads: Block R's of 318 …
George Naohara's handwritten annotation (ddr-csujad-38-3)
doc George Naohara's handwritten annotation (ddr-csujad-38-3)
English translation of handwritten annotation from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 5: When I went to the Manzanar camp in California, late Hiromu Sasaki took me to Maryknoll School, which was a Japanese language school located on Alameda Blvd, Los Angeles, California. I remember I packed my birth certificate, clothes, and other necessities into my …
Mitzi Naohara photo album (ddr-csujad-38-163)
img Mitzi Naohara photo album (ddr-csujad-38-163)
A photo album compiled by Mitzi Masukawa Naohara. Contained are photographs mainly taken during the war, depicting lives at the Poston camp in Arizona, where the Masukasa family was incarcerated. Mitzi was a preschool teacher at the Poston camp, and photographs of the children incarcerated at the camp are included. She also belonged to a young …
Block R's of 318 Block (ddr-csujad-38-184)
img Block R's of 318 Block (ddr-csujad-38-184)
School yearbook photo taken by Paul Shintaku. Photographed are Tosa Aoki, John, Ben Nobuhiro, Ben Kitahara, Bob, Kan Ibasa, Seizo Ishizaki, Kiyo Ishida, and Harry Fukuhara, who are members of "Block R's of 318 Block," a Nisei men's club of the high school at the Poston camp in Arizona. The caption reads: Block R's of 318 …
Card to Mitzi Naohara (ddr-csujad-38-363)
doc Card to Mitzi Naohara (ddr-csujad-38-363)
An invitation card to a gathering for Freidereka Green held on May 29, 3:15-4:30, at the Poston camp in Arizona. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 11. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_03_12_001
Block R's of 318 Block (ddr-csujad-38-182)
img Block R's of 318 Block (ddr-csujad-38-182)
A group photograph of the members of Block R's 318, a Nisei men's club of the high school at the Poston camp in Arizona. The caption reads: Blk "R's" 318, Poston Ariz. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 4. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_04_001
Sack race in Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-87)
img Sack race in Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-87)
A photograph of the end of a sack race in the Jerome incarceration camp in Arkansas during a camp-sponsored game day. It captures participants and barracks at the camp. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 21. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_21_002
Gila River Co-op workers' picnic (ddr-csujad-42-232)
img Gila River Co-op workers' picnic (ddr-csujad-42-232)
A group photo of the Gila River Co-op workers. It was taken during the picnic. The handwritten note on the back side reads: Gila Co-op workers picnic, April 15, 1945. Stamped on the back side: Photographed by Kunkle and Wilcox 331 W. Washington St. Ph. 3-4563, Phoenix Arizona. See this object in the California State Universities …
Third All Center Enterprises Conference (ddr-csujad-42-226)
img Third All Center Enterprises Conference (ddr-csujad-42-226)
Photographed is a group of the 3rd All Center Enterprises Conference attendees. The annotation on the back side reads: The conference was held at the Gila River camp on December 4, 1944. Representatives from enterprises at all incarceration camps attended it. The photo was taken to commemorate the conference but I [Itsuhei Takano] was unable to …
Outdoor stage at the Gila River incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-42-223)
img Outdoor stage at the Gila River incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-42-223)
Photographed are audiences and an outdoor stage at the Gila River incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_02_06_005
Outdoor stage at the Gila River incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-42-221)
img Outdoor stage at the Gila River incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-42-221)
Photographed are audiences and an outdoor stage at the Gila River incarceration camp. The caption reads: Outdoor stage at the Gila River incarceration camp. Title from caption. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_02_06_003
Gila River Co-op workers' picnic (ddr-csujad-42-231)
img Gila River Co-op workers' picnic (ddr-csujad-42-231)
A group photo of the Gila River Co-op workers. It was taken during the picnic. The handwritten note on the back side reads: Co-op worker's picnic, Feb. 1944. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_02_07_001
Home Makerettes (ddr-csujad-44-43)
img Home Makerettes (ddr-csujad-44-43)
A photograph of five young Nisei women incarcerated at Tule Lake, California. They are the members of a women's club, the Home Makerettes. They are standing outside posing together for the camera. Barracks are visible behind them. Photo inscription on back: "The Home Makerettes." Title from inscription. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …
Three Nisei couples dancing (ddr-csujad-44-55)
img Three Nisei couples dancing (ddr-csujad-44-55)
A photograph of three Nisei couples dancing in a dimly lit room while incarcerated at Tule Lake, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csumb_ms15_0055
Nisei man standing next to carnival game (ddr-csujad-44-53)
img Nisei man standing next to carnival game (ddr-csujad-44-53)
A photograph of a Nisei man incarcerated at Tule Lake, California. He is standing next to a homemade carnival game consisting of a hoop with strings attached on top of a pole. A sign behind the man reads "goal-hi." Groups of people are walking past the man. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …
Nisei women standing outside a barrack (ddr-csujad-44-44)
img Nisei women standing outside a barrack (ddr-csujad-44-44)
A photograph of five young Nisei women incarcerated at Tule Lake, California. They are standing outside posing together for the camera. Barracks are visible behind them. Photo inscription on back: "Can you recognize me? -Mary." See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: csumb_ms15_0044
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 10th session (March 7, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-13)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 10th session (March 7, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-13)
The council minutes feature a round table discussion on the restriction on Japanese shows at the camp, and clothing allowances. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_042
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 11th session (March 8, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-14)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 11th session (March 8, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-14)
The council minutes feature the new restrictions on Japanese shows at the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_043
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 20th session (April 6, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-22)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 20th session (April 6, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-22)
The council minutes feature the discussion on the danger of ticks at the camp wide picnic. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_051
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 12th session (March 13, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-15)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 12th session (March 13, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-15)
The council minutes feature the approving of a camp wide picnic. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_044
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 9th session (March 6, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-12)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 9th session (March 6, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-12)
The council minutes feature a discussion on the camp discontinuing sponsorship of Japanese shows. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_041
Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 13th session (March 15, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-16)
doc Heart Mountain Relocation Project Fourth Community Council, 13th session (March 15, 1945) (ddr-csujad-45-16)
The council minutes feature a discussion of the plans for a camp wide picnic. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: HMRC_01-01_045
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