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 (255)

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img Seattle Buddhist Church picnic (ddr-densho-38-21)

Reverend Y. Shimizu issuing prizes at the Seattle Buddhist Church picnic. (Identification on front of the photograph.)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-21/

img Seattle Buddhist Church picnic (ddr-densho-38-24)

Reverend Ishikawa playing a game at this picnic, which was held at Lincoln Park. (Identification on front of the photograph.)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-24/

img Bukkyo Fujinkai members eating (ddr-densho-38-12)

Issei members of the Bukkyo Fujinkai (Buddhist Women's Association) eating a meal in the Seattle Buddhist Temple kitchen. Seated (left to right): Cho Goto, Hanako Sao, Kikue Takahashi (behind Sao), unidentified, Taka Toshi, unidentified, Sasae Watanabe, unidentified, Kikue Hirata, Rieko Shimizu, and Fuiko Nakano. Standing: unidentified (back to camera), Kikuyo Tsuye, and unidentified.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-12/

img Seattle Buddhist Church altar (ddr-densho-38-1)

Altar of the Seattle Buddhist Church, which was located at 1020 Main Street in Seattle's Nihonmachi area. 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-38-1/

img Seattle Buddhist Church (ddr-densho-38-4)

The Seattle Buddhist Church was dedicated at its 1020 Main Street address in Seattle's Nihonmachi on November 15, 1908. The Seattle Buddhist Church, now known as the Seattle Buddhist Temple, is presently located at 1427 South Main Street.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-38-4/

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/

doc Notes: "I don't believe in nationalism, but I have a steadfast loyalty to USA" (ddr-densho-468-175)

Three handwritten notecards with thoughts on nationalism, religion, and morality

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-175/

doc New Year's Postcard to Mas Yamamoto from M. Yamamoto (ddr-densho-492-21)

Postcard from M. Yamamoto to Mas Yamamoto wishing them a happy new year. The front of postcard includes a photograph of a large group of people outside a church.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-492-21/

img Hilo Japanese Church Gathering 1906 (ddr-densho-492-22)

Photograph of a large group. Written on the front of the photograph is "Church / Hilo Japanese Gathering / 1906" in blue ink. Written on the back is "Hilo Boarding School / T. Yamamoto" in pencil.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-492-22/

doc "My Life Begins" (ddr-densho-446-350)

My Life Begins (autobiography): Ai Chih's parents, conversion to Christianity, education in Japan, arrival in US on student visa, U of Chicago, Robert Cashman, Keimer Shou, Japanese Christian Church (Chicago), War, Ordination, Meeting Ryo, Marriage, Navy-Columbia U, War Dept.-D.C., MD, US Strategic Bombing Survey, UNRRA

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-350/

doc The dogma of organization (ddr-densho-468-167)

Typed draft of essay or diary. The draft explores how the socialist party shares the weaknesses of organized religion

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-167/

doc A.D. 1977: Japanese Christians in America: The Church That Survives Hate (ddr-densho-446-394)

Article in the July/August 1977 issue of A.D. 1977 on the experience of Japanese Christians in America through the end of WWII.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-394/

img 12 people outside church (ddr-densho-492-20)

Photograph of 12 people standing outside a building with a Japanese plaque above the door. Written on the photograph in the upper right corner is "Hilo Church" in blue ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-492-20/

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/