Arrival

Labor contractors transported workers from Japan to work on Hawaiian sugar plantations. Many Japanese then emigrated to the mainland and worked for lumber companies, railroads, and canneries. In the early 1900s these immigrants began to establish families through the picture bride system (shashin-kekkon, literally "photograph marriage"). Immigrant bachelors sent photographs and information about themselves to go-betweens (baishakunin) who arranged meetings with the families in Japan. Marriage ceremonies took place in Japan (without bridegrooms), then the new brides traveled to the United States to join their husbands. Many arrived to discover that their husbands had misrepresented their appearances or situations.

Immigration and citizenship (468)
Arrival (212)

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212 items

doc Medical Inspection card (ddr-densho-493-9)

Medical inspection card from Kuni Itabashi's journey from Japan to the USA. Text reads: "MEDICAL INSPECTION CARD. PORT OF DEPARTURE, KOBE, JAPAN. Name of Passengers: Mrs. K. Itabashi / Domicile: Hiroshima Ken / Name of Ship: CHICAGO/ Date of Departure, MAR 25, 1920/ INSPECTED AND PASSED AT KOBE, JAPAN / STAMP OF MEDICAL OFFICER OF PREFECTURAL …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-493-9/

doc Inspection card (ddr-densho-493-10)

Surgeon's inspection card for Kuni Itabashi's journey on the S.S. Chicago Maru between Kobe, Japan, and Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. Front of card reads: "INSPECTION CARD / (Immigrants and Steerage Passengers)." Filled portion of front of card reads: "Port of departure, KOBE, JAPAN. Date of departure, Kobe, 25th, March, 20 / Name of ship, S.S. Chicago Maru …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-493-10/

doc Inspection card (immigrants and steerage passengers) (ddr-csujad-55-2011)

Inspection card belonging to Yosaku Yoneda for departure from Kobe, Japan on the Shin'yo Maru. Includes list of vaccinations. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2114

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2011/

doc Imperial Japanese Government passport Yoneshiro Ono (ddr-csujad-55-2457)

A passport belonging to Yoneshiro Ono, no. 223754. Includes photograph of Ono and admittance stamp from the U.S. Immigration Service for arrival to the United States via the SS Alabama Maru. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2563

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2457/

doc Imperial Japanese Government passport, Tome Ono (ddr-csujad-55-2458)

A passport belonging to Tome Ono, no. 223755. Includes photograph of Ono and admittance stamp from the U.S. Immigration Service for arrival to the United States via the SS Alabama Maru. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2564

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2458/

doc Evidence of Support in Cases of Persons Desiring to Join Relatives or Friends in the United States (ddr-densho-446-269)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-269/

doc Letter from Robert Cashman to American Consul General in Shanghai (ddr-densho-446-276)

Refers to Ai Chih Tsai's May 26 letter regarding the requirement for him to enter the US as an immigrant. Affidavit in support of Ai Chih Tsai

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-276/

doc Letter from Robert Cashman to Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-275)

Sorry to learn that Tsai has been delayed in returning home from Shanghai. Enclosed letter to Consul General with offer of further assistance.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-275/

doc Letter from Robert Cashman to Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-288)

Letter of support for Ai Chih Tsai's application for entrance into the United States. Chicago Theological Seminary can offer Ai Chih Tsai a position on the clerical staff at $1800/year

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-288/

doc Statement of Support for Ai Chih Tsai [unsigned] (ddr-densho-446-310)

Statement of sponsorship and resources for Ai Chih Tsai so he will not be a public charge in the USA. This was to help him get an immigrant visa to USA. Likely drafted in early Sept before Tsai was granted quota number.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-310/

doc Letter from Ryo Tsai to Albert W. Palmer (ddr-densho-446-281)

Update on Ai Chih Tsai's status and thank you for support

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-281/

doc Letter from H.A. Blundin to Ryo Tsai (ddr-densho-446-306)

Thank you for letter from August 30. UNRRA received cable from UNRRA-Shanghai that a special quota number has been allotted to Ai Chih Tsai and he will be granted a visa by the end of Sept. He should go to American Consulate in Shanghai on September 12, 1947.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-306/

doc Letter from Harrison Ray Anderson to Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-272)

Anderson will continue to find a way to get Tsai back to US. Perhaps a West Coast church will be available.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-272/

doc Letter from Gordon K. Chapman to Rev. Sumio Koga (ddr-densho-446-270)

When Ai Chih Tsai was with UNRRA, he was no longer in the US military and was not able to return without a visa. It appears that he needs to secure a job which would lead to a 4-D nonquota visa. What are ACT's abilities to be successful in a pulpit in the US and intentions …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-270/

doc Letter from Gordon K. Chapman to Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-271)

US Embassy advised Ai Chih Tsai that he needs a call from a church to support his case to return to US. The Chicago church has 2 ministers and this is ample. Request for notification if Tsai has another congregation in mind and if his desire is to return to the U.S. as a permanent resident …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-271/

doc Interview with Ryo Tsai (ddr-densho-446-415)

Written by Ryo Tsai's grandson David Lee for his high school heritage project

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-415/

doc San Diego Union: U.S. Formosa Aide Lives in San Diego (ddr-densho-446-406)

Newspaper profile on Ai Chih Tsai return to U.S. (October 1947)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-406/

doc Letter from Ryo Tsai to H.A. Blundin (ddr-densho-446-305)

Ryo has received welcome news that Ai Chih Tsai has received his quota number through the U.S. Consul in Shanghai. Thank you for UNRRA's assistance.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-305/

doc Letter from Ryo Tsai to Chicago Marriage License Bureau (ddr-densho-446-274)

Request for a copy of Ai Chih and Ryo Tsai's original marriage certificate

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-274/

doc Letter from Ryo Tsai to Seido Ogawa, Congregational Committee for Christian Democracy (ddr-densho-446-280)

Ai Chih Tsai wants to stay in US for maybe 5 years after his reentry instead of 6 months. Ryo Morikawa Tsai asks Ogawa if there is employment for Ai Chih Tsai. Ryo Morikawa Tsai also looking for a job but unemployment is high. Kenji has a job at the County Fair in Del Mar.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-280/

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 Letter from Ryo Tsai to Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization (ddr-densho-446-278)

Request for issuance of immigrant visa for Ai Chih Tsai

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-278/

doc Letter from Gordon K. Chapman to Ai Chih Tsai (ddr-densho-446-283)

Response to Tsai's letter with request for employment. Chapman will present offer to Japanese ministers conference. Note that others are waiting for positions.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-283/

doc Letter from Robert Cashman to Ryo Tsai (ddr-densho-446-282)

Enclosed is a letter from Ai Chih Tsai. Request for update on the status of his need for a job

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-282/

doc Letter from Ryo Tsai to Seido Ogawa (ddr-densho-446-289)

Ai Chih Tsai wants to work in a Japanese church, at least five years, possibly indefinitely. He would accept a church in Southern California or Seattle. Ryo would prefer Southern California but is glad to go to Seattle.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-289/