Religion and churches
Religion and churches played an important role in the formation and development of West Coast Japanese American communities. While Buddhism is frequently seen as most prominent, Christianity was also influential. Initially focused on helping new male immigrants adjust to life in the United States, churches soon began catering to increasing numbers of families. By the mid-1930s, Japanese Americans' religious affiliations were split fairly evenly between Christianity and Buddhism.
Religion and churches
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![Victor Ikeda Interview Segment 16 (ddr-manz-1-23-16)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/c1/e3/c1e3157af211161b4648c8bcd41afcc9.jpg)
![Rose Tanaka Interview Segment 9 (ddr-manz-1-145-9)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/d1/91/d19188350a3745311291044167ee9d79.jpg)
![Matsuko Hayashi Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1021-4-4)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/52/5b/525b43515fd93d6a4e7bc20110162c4d.jpg)
![Joseph Norio Uemura Interview Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1014-3-13)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/00/7f/007f1c772a09dde6617056c730aaeea0.jpg)
![Joseph Norio Uemura Interview Segment 9 (ddr-densho-1014-3-9)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/00/7f/007f1c772a09dde6617056c730aaeea0.jpg)
![Joseph Norio Uemura Interview Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1014-3-12)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/00/7f/007f1c772a09dde6617056c730aaeea0.jpg)
![Joseph Norio Uemura Interview Segment 6 (ddr-densho-1014-3-6)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/00/7f/007f1c772a09dde6617056c730aaeea0.jpg)
![Bill Hirabayashi Interview Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1014-4-5)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/95/8c/958ca81c32cd56bac5900fbc5df4b3cc.jpg)
![Ted Nagata Interview Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1013-3-15)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/ef/10/ef10fdba953cda1a5c9782a90acab98d.jpg)
![Jun Kurumada Interview Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1013-5-10)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/ab/aa/abaaa1a2b5b8a350a97e9937e9bf5f7d.jpg)
![Nelson Takeo Akagi Interview Segment 27 (ddr-densho-1013-2-27)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/46/08/46082c1a344fa91e5fd9cd1672ca97f6.jpg)
![Nelson Takeo Akagi Interview Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1013-2-25)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/46/08/46082c1a344fa91e5fd9cd1672ca97f6.jpg)
![Gordon Hirabayashi Interview Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1012-2-2)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/1a/a1/1aa123211385c6819b4e29265bee58bd.jpg)
This interview is audio-only. It contains raw footage used by Steven Okazaki in his 1985 film Unfinished Business.
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 …
![An Oral History with Sumiye Takeno, Part II - Segment 1 (ddr-csujad-29-60-1)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/1e/79/1e792fcd048ae1adb4a8eeb7c542a8eb.jpg)
![An Oral History with Sumiye Takeno, Part I - Segment 1 (ddr-csujad-29-59-1)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/65/5d/655d4bd30ce51b0b0f62f575828fbb53.jpg)
![Mollie Nakasaki Interview Segment 7 (ddr-jamsj-2-4-7)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/3f/0f/3f0fb3bd060ed4d6a2f389d9869c5f7d.jpg)
This interview was conducted by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and is part of a project entitled "Lasting Stories: The Resettlement of San Jose Japantown," a collaborative project between the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and Densho.
![Dave Tatsuno Interview Segment 7 (ddr-jamsj-2-6-7)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/d3/a7/d3a75412764d18b2ae1e7d9057848a7b.jpg)
This interview was conducted by the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and is part of a project entitled "Lasting Stories: The Resettlement of San Jose Japantown," a collaborative project between the Japanese American Museum of San Jose and Densho.
![Hiroshi Terry Terakawa Interview Segment 8 (ddr-jamsj-2-12-8)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/4d/90/4d90cdcde45d2a09ce6dc477542cfbc2.jpg)
![Etsuko Ichikawa Osaki Interview Segment 2 (ddr-one-7-56-2)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/de/8c/de8c72f93ba4a1d3f03ec5cb453c6362.jpg)
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 …
![Paul Nagano Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-65-4)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/b3/86/b38644ef8c4e857a9e2f785c623a49c4.jpg)
![Paul Nagano Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-65-12)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/b3/86/b38644ef8c4e857a9e2f785c623a49c4.jpg)
![Paul Nagano Segment 5 (ddr-densho-1000-65-5)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/b3/86/b38644ef8c4e857a9e2f785c623a49c4.jpg)
![Paul Nagano Segment 13 (ddr-densho-1000-65-13)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/b3/86/b38644ef8c4e857a9e2f785c623a49c4.jpg)
![Paul Nagano Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-65-3)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/b3/86/b38644ef8c4e857a9e2f785c623a49c4.jpg)
![Paul Nagano Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1000-65-2)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/b3/86/b38644ef8c4e857a9e2f785c623a49c4.jpg)