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 (344)
Issei (1035)

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1035 items

img Issei man in Los Angeles (ddr-densho-242-34)

Caption by Ike Hatchimonji: "Kumezo Hatchimonji - age 65 Los Angeles. Died 1956 Niland, Calif."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-242-34/

img Portrait of Hirokichi "Harry" Hayashi (ddr-densho-441-92)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-441-92/

img Hirokichi speaking to a crowd (ddr-densho-441-93)

Hirokichi "Harry" Hayashi at the microphone before a crowd. Hirokichi served as the president of the San Francisco Market president between 1930 and 1932

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-441-93/

img Kitano Hayashi (ddr-densho-441-95)

Photograph of Kitano Hayashi working in his brother Hirokichi "Harry" Hayashi's greenhouse.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-441-95/

img Hayashi Family Portrait (ddr-densho-441-91)

Photograph of three generations of the Hayashi family. Standing left to right: Norman Makoto Hayashi, Aiko Takimoto Hayashi, Henry Taro Hayashi, and Gerald Saburo Hayashi. Seated left to right: Kin (Nakayawa) Hayashi, Patrick Saburo Hayashi, and Hirokichi "Harry" Hayashi

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-441-91/

img Grandfather and Grandmother (ddr-densho-441-35)

Photograph of Hirokichi "Harry" Hayashi and his wife Kin (Nakayawa) Hayashi standing outside partially constructed greenhouses built by Hirokichi's son Henry Taro Hayashi. Written on the back of the photograph is "June 1950 1950 U.C. Grandfather & Mother) in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-441-35/

doc Kenjiro Kida's diary (ddr-one-3-123)

Bound diary with gray cover. The year on the front cover is based on the Japanese imperial calendar and says Meiji 43 (1910). Written in by Kenjiro Kida while working for George Pyatt. He wrote in it in both Japanese and English. Contents of diary about weather and daily life working for George Pyatt in White …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-123/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida having tea with company (ddr-one-3-119)

Color photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida and three white women sitting at a dining table. The table is set for tea.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-119/

img Kenjiro Kida in field (ddr-one-3-78)

Black and white photograph of Kenjiro Kida standing next to a sapling in a field. Above his head is written "Kida" in red ink. On the back is written "Kenjiro Kida" in pencil.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-78/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida in front of her home (ddr-one-3-121)

Color photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida and a relative visiting from Japan standing in front of her home in Pucker Huddle in White Salmon, Washington.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-121/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida (ddr-one-3-128)

Color photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida standing in front of a television set.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-128/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida and George Kida (ddr-one-3-81)

Color studio portrait photograph of Kay and her son George Kida taken in celebration of her 89th birthday. From left to right: Miyuki "Kay" Kida and George Kida.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-81/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida having tea with company (ddr-one-3-120)

Color photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida and ten white women sitting or standing around a dining table. The table is set for tea.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-120/

doc Kay Kido Threw Her Trousseau Overboard to Become American (ddr-one-3-76)

November 5, 1953 issue of the Mt. Adams Sun, Volume XIX, Number 6. The newspaper contains an article on the front page titled "Kay Kido Threw Her Trousseau Overboard to Become American." The article is about the Kenjiro and Miyuki "Kay" Kida process for American citizenship and their experiences living in the United States.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-76/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida (ddr-one-3-131)

One copy of a color studio portrait photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida taken in celebration of her 89th birthday. Inscribed on the back "#11."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-131/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida in her home (ddr-one-3-118)

Color photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida standing next to piece of furniture in her home in White Salmon, Washington.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-118/

img Miyuki "Kay" Kida (ddr-one-3-100)

Color polaroid photograph of Miyuki "Kay" Kida in front of the Kidas' home in Pucker Huddle in White Salmon, Washington.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-3-100/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-40)

Slightly yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked October 19, 1942. Along the top 10-23-1942 is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp. Inside the envelope is a letter dated October 17, 1942. Teru writes about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-40/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-20)

White air mail envelope with a red, white and blue border. The envelope is addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama. The envelope is postmarked Jul 21, 1942, and in red pencil below the postmark is the date 7/25/42. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-20/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Lois (ddr-one-5-48)

Seven page letter to Kei Koyama from Lois at Minidoka dated March 8, 1943. The pages are thin and have water damage. The letter talks about religion (Buddhism and Christianity), the different between Nisei and Kibei, and many other topics about daily life at Minidoka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-48/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Eva Koyama (ddr-one-5-38)

Letter dated Oct 5, 1942, to Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from his daughter, Eva Koyama. In the letter Eva writes about life at Minidoka: Shin came to visit, school is starting soon, Mr. Mita's funeral, lunch, and Girl Scouts. Eva sends her regards to Dr. Tanaka and Mr. Ikeya.

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

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Yoshi Sato (ddr-one-5-42)

Envelope addressed to Mr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from Yoshio Sato at Minidoka. Postmarked November 11, 1942. In red pencil “Dec 15, 42” is written. Along the right edge of the envelope is a white sticker, on the back side of the envelope it reads "U.S.A. 269." Inside the envelope is a letter dated Nov. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-42/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Lois Sato (ddr-one-5-18)

Postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from Lois Sato at the Portland Assembely Center. Postmarked Jul 9, 1942. On the left side of the front of the postcard is a red Censored stamp with an unknown signature. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message from Lois Sato. She writes about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-18/

doc Envelope and three letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Koyama family (ddr-one-5-1)

White envelope addressed to Mr. Kei Koyama in Missoula, Montana, from the Koyama family in Portland. The envelope is postmarked December 31, 1941. A purple "CENSORED" stamp is on the front of the envelope. Inside the envelope are three letters from Kei's daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama; his son, William Koyama; and his wife, Teru Koyama. Miriam …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-1/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Miriam Koyama (ddr-one-5-37)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, and daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama. Postmarked October 6, 1942. To the left of the postmark “Oct 11, 1942,” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp from Camp Livingston. Inside the envelope are …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-37/