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 (298)

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img "Issei men posed in front of Buddhist church" (ddr-densho-259-337)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "Group of Issei men posed in front of Buddhist church. Most probably members of Nipponjin Kai."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-337/

img Group portrait in front of torii in Japan (ddr-densho-259-292)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "Large number of Japan relatives (my guess) with Michi [Yasui]. There's a fairly large torii [gate] in the background and what seems to be ongoing construction of a mon (Japanese entrance gate)."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-292/

img "Issei Christian church gathering" (ddr-densho-259-543)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "A very large Issei Christian church gathering in Toppenish, Washington."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-543/

img Issei minister with violin (ddr-densho-259-147)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "Formal portrait of the Reverend Isaac Inouye I suspect that this picture was taken before he came to Hood River around September, 1927."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-147/

img Issei men in front of Buddhist church (ddr-densho-259-332)

A group of Issei men posed in front of a Buddhist temple in Portland, possibly members of the Nipponjin Kai Japanese Association.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-332/

img Young People's Christian Conference (ddr-densho-259-296)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "Posed group photo of another YPCC [Young People's Christian Conference], this time at the Centenary-Wilbur Church which was on the eastside of Portland." Caption on front of photograph: "Fourth Oregon Sectional Y.P.C.C. Centenary - Wilbur Church, Portland, Oregon, March 28-29, 1936."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-296/

img Portrait of an Issei minister (ddr-densho-259-143)

Portrait of the Revered Isaac Inouye. Caption by Homer Yasui: "Some vandal (and as I remember it, that vandal was Shu [Yasui]) had drawn two ink lines along the mouth creases of the good Reverend. Shu and the Rev. didn't get along too well."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-143/

img Issei missionary (ddr-densho-259-243)

Caption by Yuka Yasui: "Rev. Niisato, missionary--he once prayed for our dog Mike who had eye problems."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-243/

img Issei members of Portland Methodist church (ddr-densho-259-306)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "Posed group of Issei members of the Epworth Methodist Church in Portland. The ministers at the time were Rev. Osuga and Rev. Frank Iritani."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-306/

img White missionary family (ddr-densho-259-170)

Caption by Yuka Yasui: "Missionary family from Hood River. Went to the Phillipines." Caption by Homer Yasui: "This is the Landis family, whom we knew years ago in Hood River."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-170/

img Christmas pageant at Japanese Community Hall (ddr-densho-259-179)

Caption in Japanese at top of photograph: "Iwa Kurisumasu [Christmas celebration]." Caption by Homer Yasui: "A Christmas pageant which was performed by the Nisei members of the Hood River Japanese Methodist Church The girl second left looks like Mika Asai to mel and it might have been Jessie Iwatsuki holding the star on the stick. I …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-179/

img Hood River Japanese Farmers Association (ddr-densho-259-363)

Caption by Homer Yasui: "A large group of Issei men and women, some with their children, and all formally dressed, in front of a stone church. This was the Riverside Church, which is a Congregational church, and it still stands in Hood River. I think that this has a connection with a memorial service which the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-363/

img Young People's Christian Conference (photocopy) (ddr-densho-259-286)

Photocopy. Caption by Homer Yasui: "Posed group photo of many young Nisei This surely must have been another YPCC gathering this conference likely took place at a church in Portland."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-259-286/

img Gateway to Shinagawa Shrine (ddr-densho-299-219)

Caption: "Torii or gateway to Shinagawa Shrine. Completed 1636 after 12 years of labor by 15,000 men"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-219/

img Shrine in Nikko (ddr-densho-299-220)

Caption: "Shrine at Nikko"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-299-220/

img Buddhist ministers at Sante Fe internment camp (ddr-densho-310-1)

A group photograph of the Buddhist ministers interned at Sante Fe internment camp. Etsuko Osaki's father, Tatsuya Ichikawa, is in the second row, third from the left. Ichikawa was picked up by the FBI in April 1942. He remained separated from his family for two years before they reunited in Crystal City internment camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-310-1/