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 (1454)
Social and recreational activities (1166)

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

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1166 items

vh Robert Moriguchi Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-515-13)

Childhood memories of Amache

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-515-13/

vh June Takahashi Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-88-25)

Dating and privacy in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-88-25/

vh June Takahashi Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-88-24)

Camp social activities: dances

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-88-24/

vh Gene Akutsu Segment 27 (ddr-densho-1000-1-27)

Having strict parents -- even in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-1-27/

vh Sam Mihara Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-516-10)

Passing the time in camp as a child

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-516-10/

vh Shig Yabu Interview Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-272-17)

Leaving camp to go hiking

This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-272-17/

vh Marjorie Matsushita Sperling Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-273-18)

Working for the recreation department, planning activities for kids

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-273-18/

vh Fumiko Uyeda Groves Segment 21 (ddr-densho-1000-10-21)

Life in camp: swimming, church, Christmas

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-10-21/

vh Marion Tsutakawa Kanemoto Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-148-25)

Keeping busy in camp: joining a knitting circle, reading magazines

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-148-25/

vh Bruce T. Kaji Interview I Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-289-13)

Remembering music in camp with Louis Frizzell

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-289-13/

vh Mitsuko Hashiguchi Segment 59 (ddr-densho-1000-12-59)

Cultural and social activities at Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-12-59/

vh Mary Kageyama Nomura Interview Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-255-20)

Holding musical performances in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-255-20/

vh Nancy K. Araki Interview Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-305-18)

Recreational activities in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-305-18/

vh Hal Keimi Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-458-10)

Joining the Boy Scouts in camp, going on a trip to Yellowstone

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-458-10/

vh Hal Keimi Segment 11 (ddr-densho-1000-458-11)

Participating in Boy Scouts activities

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-458-11/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-107-19)

Increased leisure time for the Issei in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-19/

vh Frank Yamasaki Interview I Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-107-20)

Community life in Minidoka concentration camp: bands, sumo, Japanese crafts, and other activities

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-107-20/

vh Kay Matsuoka Segment 29 (ddr-densho-1000-48-29)

Teaching children Japanese dancing and singing to entertain the Issei in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-48-29/

vh Mary Hirata Segment 20 (ddr-densho-1000-22-20)

Social life in Minidoka concentration camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-22-20/

vh Mits Takahashi Interview Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-207-19)

Social activities and dating in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-207-19/

vh Frank Kitamoto Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-35-19)

Remembering childhood activities in camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-35-19/

vh Frank Kitamoto Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-35-18)

Childhood activities in camp: a network of tunnels in which to play

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-35-18/

vh Takae Tanino Walts Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-508-15)

Memories of camp: dance performances, making taffy

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-508-15/

vh May K. Sasaki Segment 24 (ddr-densho-1000-79-24)

Activities for children in camp: music, field trips

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-79-24/

vh Fumiko Hayashida Segment 29 (ddr-densho-1000-15-29)

Daily life in camp: work, social and cultural activities

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-15-29/