Sports
Sports leagues were important institutions for Japanese Americans growing up on the West Coast. Both boys and girls played basketball, baseball and other sports. The traditional Japanese martial arts of judo and kendo were practiced as well. Baseball became the primary sport for young Japanese Americans who were often prohibited from playing in the white leagues. The highly competitive games in the all-Japanese American leagues built pride and a sense of community.
Community activities
(853)
Sports
(320)
Related articles from the
Densho Encyclopedia :
Joe Kobuki,
Sports and recreation in camp
320 items
320 items

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Lotus basketball team (ddr-densho-38-27)
This basketball team was affiliated with the Seattle Buddhist Temple. Front, left to right: Kats Nakayama, Kats Iwamura, Hachiro Matsuzari, Art Suzuki, and unidentified. Back left to right: Yoshito Fujii (manager), Nobie Saito, unidentified, and Jiro Sakano.


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National basketball tournament (ddr-densho-114-9)
In the late 1940s, Seattle hosted the National Oriental Basketball Tournament with teams competing from Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Illinois and Vancouver, BC. Games like this one were played at the Seattle University Gymnasium.

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Men with skis standing outside a house (ddr-densho-321-345)
Caption in album: "Ladd Air Force Base."


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Two men shoveling ice and snow off a car (ddr-densho-321-347)
Caption in album: "Ladd Air Force Base."


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Man with argyle socks standing near a car (ddr-densho-321-346)
Caption in album: "Ladd Air Force Base."




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Sticker for the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squad Air Force (ddr-densho-321-323)
"United States Air Force, 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron."


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Man preparing a camera for a ski trip (ddr-densho-321-311)
Caption on front: "Phil McCaw." Caption in album: "Fairbanks Alaska."

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Photo album (ddr-densho-326-371)
Photos of Matsu Sakagami, friends and baseball teammates travelling in Washington, Oregon and California, Buddhist Community events.

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Photo Album (ddr-densho-326-72)
Photos of Matsu Sakagami and baseball team on trip to Japan, sailing from Vancouver. Including photos of family members in Japan and photos taken aboard ship.