Issei

The earliest wave of Japanese immigrants, the Issei (first generation), had a strong sense of their ethnic identity and retained the values and traditions of their country of birth. Most came to the United States as sojourners and planned to return to Japan after earning their fortunes. In addition, discriminatory laws forbade them from becoming American citizens and from exercising other basic rights, such as owning or leasing land. Since they were thus prevented from fully taking part in American life, it is not surprising that many still identified strongly with the culture of their homeland.

Identity and values (200)
Issei (1014)

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Issei

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1014 items

vh Lorraine Bannai Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1000-113-4)

An exceptional experience: growing up in Gardena, California surrounded by a large Japanese American community

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-113-4/

vh Lorraine Bannai Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1000-113-3)

Influence of paternal grandparents: importance of family, generosity

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-113-3/

vh Clara S. Hattori Interview I Segment 15 (ddr-densho-1000-426-15)

Father's decision to remain in the United States

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-426-15/

vh Clara S. Hattori Interview I Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-426-7)

Issei parents' personalities

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-426-7/

vh Gordon Hirabayashi Interview I Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-17-19)

Father's religious principles and mores: an "honest day's work"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-17-19/

vh Gordon Hirabayashi Interview I Segment 18 (ddr-densho-1000-17-18)

Mother's influence on educational goals

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-17-18/

vh Edward H. Mitsukado Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1007-4-4)

Learning life lessons from father

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 the Interior.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-4-4/

vh Jimmie Omura Interview Segment 3 (ddr-densho-1002-11-3)

Description of father

This interview was conducted by sisters Emiko and Chizuko Omori for their 1999 documentary, Rabbit in the Moon, about the Japanese American resisters of conscience in the World War II incarceration camps. As a result, the interviews in this collection are typically not life histories, instead primarily focusing on issues surrounding the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1002-11-3/

vh Aiko Herzig Interview Segment 1 (ddr-densho-1002-8-1)

Family background: parents worked hard before World War II

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1002-8-1/

vh George Azumano Interview Segment 8 (ddr-one-7-32-8)

Parents' values: importance of education

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-7-32-8/

vh Shoichi Kobara Interview Segment 4 (ddr-densho-1015-8-4)

Father's thoughts on living in the U.S.: "The future is here"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1015-8-4/

vh Shoichi Kobara Interview Segment 16 (ddr-densho-1015-8-16)

Father's Japanese cultural values

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1015-8-16/

vh An Oral History with Mitsuhiko H. Shimizu - Segment 1 (ddr-csujad-29-57-1)

Issei community leader and businessman in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo recounts his arrest by Federal Bureau of Investigation after Pearl Harbor, his experiences in internment camps in North Dakota and Louisiana, and the Manzanar incarceration camp, California. This oral history was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project, Oral History Program, CSU Fullerton. Translated into …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-57-1/

vh An Oral History with Reverend Seytsu Takahashi - Segment 1 (ddr-csujad-29-58-1)

Issei Buddhist bishop and superintendent of Kayasan Temple in Little Tokyo since 1931 recounts his wartime experiences and internment at Fort Missoula, Montana; Livingstone, Louisiana; and Crystal City, Texas. Transcribed in both Japanese and English. This oral history was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project, Oral History Program, CSU Fullerton. Audio is found in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-58-1/