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 (286)

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286 items

img Bukkyo Seinenkai (ddr-densho-38-5)

The Bukkyo Seinenkai marked the beginning of the Seattle Buddhist Church. It was established by Chojiro Fujii and Jiro Iwamura on November 15, 1901, to meet the varied needs of Issei immigrants. By 1902, this small house at 624 Main Street in Seattle's Nihonmachi was being rented for church services. The Seattle Buddhist Church, now known …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-5/

img Seattle Buddhist Church picnic (ddr-densho-38-22)

This picnic was held at Lincoln Park. Back row (left to right): unidentified, Molly Fukutani, and Harue Mori. The child in front is unidentified.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-22/

img Muneage ceremony (ddr-densho-38-6)

This building at 1427 South Main Street was the second location of the Seattle Buddhist Church. During the muneage ceremony, mochi (Japanese rice cakes) were thrown to church members from the scaffold.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-6/

img Reverend and Bukkyo Fujinkai members (ddr-densho-38-13)

Bukkyo Fujinkai (Buddhist Women's Association) members with Reverend Hoshin Fujii (front row, center) in front of the Seattle Buddhist Church at 1020 Main Street. The Seattle Buddhist Church is now known as the Seattle Buddhist Temple and is currently located at 1427 South Main Street.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-13/

img Seattle Buddhist Church picnic (ddr-densho-38-20)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-20/

img View of Kanda Ward and Nicholai Cathedral (ddr-densho-381-95)

Caption: 42. In the vicinity of Kanda Ward,Nishiki cho 1,2,3 chome (In the distance is Kanda's Nicholai Cathedral) Feb.25,1945 (Kanda ku Nishiki cho ichi, ni, san chome fukin (Enbo Kanda Nikolaido) Showa niju nen nigatsu nijugo nichi)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-95/

img Fujin Home (ddr-densho-2-3)

The Fujin Home, which was affiliated with the Christian Baptist Church, was located at 11th and Spruce in Seattle, Washington. It offered shelter for people such as orphans, the handicapped, and women who were recently divorced or widowed and who had nowhere else to go. Various types of classes and social activities were organized by the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-2-3/

doc Letter from Lorraine to Kimi Fujii (ddr-densho-433-24)

Lorraine writes to Kimi Fujii about her recent outings with friends.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-24/

img Group of women in kimonos posing in garden (ddr-ajah-3-250)

Caption below photo: "The Alameda Girls" . . .a mix of young women from the Buddhist Temple and Buena Vista Methodist church, October 1956 photo taken at the Temple garden. Individuals identified

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ajah-3-250/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 11, No. 565 (November 12, 1938) (ddr-densho-96-600)

Selected article titles: "Young Folk Boost Coast's Elections" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang-Overs" (p. 3), "Conference List to Include Many Timely Subjects" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-600/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 4, No. 173 (April 18, 1931) (ddr-densho-96-204)

Selected article titles: "Former Premier Resumes Power as 'Lion' Resigns" (p. 1), "Taiyo Reds Nine, Green Lake Win First A. Melees" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Program Planned by Presbyterian Church Members" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-204/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 13, No. 636 (March 23, 1940) (ddr-densho-96-671)

Selected article titles: "NYK Line Helps in Seattle Progress" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "B Class Title Goes to Cards" (p. 3), "Easter Services of Varied Kinds Set in Churches" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-671/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 2, No. 94 (October 12, 1929) (ddr-densho-96-123)

Selected article titles: "Japanese Raise Over Quota for Community Fund" (p. 1), "Courier's League Elevens Get Off to Flying Start" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Opening Service of Youth League Attracts Many" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-123/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 13, No. 647 (June 8, 1940) (ddr-densho-96-682)

Selected article titles: "Japan Developing Good Food Supply" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "White River to Meet Comets; 'B' League Enters Play Off" (p. 3), "Maryknoll Home of Missioners Who Minister to Body and Spirit" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-682/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 11, No. 571 (December 24, 1938) (ddr-densho-96-606)

Selected article titles: "Young Stride Far During Past Year" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang-Overs" (p. 3), "Joyous Yule Services Planned for Leading Japanese Churches" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-606/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 2, No. 102 (December 7, 1929) (ddr-densho-96-131)

Selected article titles: "Boyden Defends Japanese Policy for 'Manchuria'" (p. 1), "Taiyo Eleven Scores Grid Victory Over Strong Nippon Aggregation, 7-0 at Civic Auditorium Sunday" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Father Muret of Maryknoll Will Speak to League? (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-131/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 12, No. 592 (May 20, 1939) (ddr-densho-96-627)

Selected article titles: "Board to Launch Convention Plans" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang-Overs" (p. 3), "Baptists Feting Four Decades of Church Sunday" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-627/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 2, No. 93 (October 5, 1929) (ddr-densho-96-122)

Selected article titles: "Leadership Issue with Seiyukai as Ex-Premier Dies" (p. 1), "Courier League to Open Grid Season at Walla Walla" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Recently Opened Maryknoll Home Haven for Young" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-122/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 3, No. 157 (December 27, 1930) (ddr-densho-96-187)

Selected article titles: "Japan Diet Opens for 159th Session on December 24" (p. 1), "Undefeated Fives to Meet Tonight for Class A Lead" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Kawasaki Chosen Lotus President for Second Year" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-187/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 2, No. 92 (September 28, 1929) (ddr-densho-96-121)

Selected article titles: "Lobbyist Actions Are Censured by Senate Members" (p. 1), "Courier Football League Organized with Four Teams" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Spiritual Guidance for Young People Youth League Aim" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-121/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 2, No. 64 (March 16, 1929) (ddr-densho-96-93)

Selected article titles: "Nanking Regime Faced with New Counter Revolt" (p. 1), "Sport Scope" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Musicale Slated by Intermediate B.Y.P.U. Tonight" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-93/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 10, No. 497 (July 24, 1937) (ddr-densho-96-532)

Selected article titles: "Circumstances Aid Ship Captain to Prominence in Catholic World" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang-Overs" (p. 3), "Out-of-Town News" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-532/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 2, No. 105 (December 28, 1929) (ddr-densho-96-134)

Selected article titles: "Harmony is Seen for Naval Parley as Powers Agree" (p. 1), "Sports Organized on Firm Basis is 1929 Achievement" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Pageants Feature Church Programs on Christmas Day" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-134/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 4, No. 172 (April 11, 1931) (ddr-densho-96-203)

Selected article titles: "Pan-Pacific Union Desires Official Recognition Soon" (p. 1), "Lotus Jrs. Trim Pike A.C. Outfit in Overtime' Tilt" (p. 2), "Pink Tea" (p. 3), "Kenshu Wanifuchi Will Be Honored at Church Show" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-203/

doc Japanese American Courier Vol. 11, No. 521 (January 8, 1938) (ddr-densho-96-556)

Selected article titles: "Public Resuming Orderly Ways in Sector of Peking" (p. 1), "Pink Tea" (p. 2), "Hang-Overs" (p. 3), "Young Japanese Plan Service at First Methodist" (p. 4)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-96-556/