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 Large group of people with a rope (ddr-csujad-11-179)

A large group of formally dressed men and women pose together holding a rope. From page 65 of: Tazu Kawamoto photo album (csudh_taz_0001). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: taz_01_65_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-11-179/

img Mother and son (ddr-csujad-11-125)

Photographed are a mother and son, probably Chisono and Casey Kawamoto, posing together on the porch of a house. From page 47 of: Tazu Kawamoto photo album (csudh_taz_0001). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: taz_01_47_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-11-125/

img Emiko and Grandma (ddr-csujad-38-313)

Photographed are Koyuta Masukawa and Emiko. The caption reads: Emiko and Grandma, 7 yrs, 58 yrs old. Title from caption. The handwritten note on the back side reads: The photo was taken on April 15, 1946. Mother age at 58. Emiko age at 7. Papa took it. I became an old grandma. [In Japanese]. A photo …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-313/

doc Account with T. Masukawa (ddr-csujad-38-538)

Moneta Commercial Bank's account book for Tomosuke Masukawa. It records transactions between 1915-1919. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_05_05_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-538/

img Masukawa family (ddr-csujad-38-218)

Photographed are Masukawa family members incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona, including Koyuta, Mitzi, Keiko Kay, and Junko June. Keiko is holding a cat. "214" is stamped on the backside. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 1. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_08_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-218/

doc Gila news-courier supplement (ddr-csujad-42-176)

An issue of "Gila news-courier supplement," which cites an article, "Issei, Nise, Kibei: the U.S. put 110,000 people of Japanese blood in 'protective custody,'" published in an magazine, "Fortune," in April 1944. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_84_004

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-176/

doc Letter from Tsuruno Meguro to Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano, May 20, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-44)

A letter from Tsuruno Meguro in the Pomona Assembly Center to her son-in-law and daughter, Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano in the Santa Anita Assembly Center. In the letter, Tsuruno expresses her disappointment about the result that Fumio and Yoneko were sent to the Santa Anita Assembly Center. She was hoping to reunite at the Pomona …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-44/

doc Social security documents, envelope (ddr-csujad-42-31)

An envelope containing certificates of social insurance award for Itsuhei and Tomoye Takano issued on March 24, 1954. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_20_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-31/

img Yokota family (ddr-csujad-38-283)

Photographed is the Yokota family standing in front of their barrack in the Jerome camp in Arkansas. The photo was sent from Sally Sakaye Sasaki at the Jerome camp to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara at the Poston camp in Arizona. The caption reads: Denson, Arkansas. The handwritten note on the back side reads: Shige Masukawa and the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-283/

doc Certificate of inoculation (ddr-csujad-38-535)

A certificate of inoculation for Tomosuke Masukawa. It certifies that Tomosuke had been inoculated by a surgeon for the passengers of Tatuta [Tatsuta] Maru on November 7 and 16, 1938. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_05_02_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-535/

doc Imperial Japanese Government passport = 日本帝國海外旅券, Koyuta Masukawa (ddr-csujad-38-536)

A Japanese passport issued for Koyuta Masukawa from Hiroshima, Japan. English and French translations attached. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_05_03_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-536/

img Masukawa family (ddr-csujad-38-209)

Photographed is the Masukawa family incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona, including Tomosuke, Koyuta, Tsutomu, Yukie, Mitzi, and children of Tsutomu and Yukie, Keiko Kay and Junko June. "Hammond Photo Service, Meridian, Miss., Mar 15, 1944" stamped on the back side. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 7. See this object in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-209/

doc Alien's travel permit (to be used only in cases of terminal departure), WRA-394 (ddr-csujad-38-547)

An alien's travel permit, WRA-394, for Koyuta Masukawa an incarceree in the Poston camp, Arizona. It certifies that her travel to Glendale, California, has been permitted by the Department of Justice and is singed by Project Leave Officer in the camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_05_11_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-547/

img Masukawa family (ddr-csujad-38-249)

Photographed is the Masukawa family incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona. Includes children, and Koyuta, Mitzi, Tsotomu and Yukie. The caption reads: Me, gang. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 12. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_12_007

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-249/

img Koyuta Masukawa (ddr-csujad-38-335)

Photographed is Koyuta Masukasa at her house on Lomita Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 22. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_22_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-335/

img Tomosuke and Kazuki Masukawa (ddr-csujad-38-247)

Photographed are Tomosuke Masukawa and his grandson, Kazuki Masukawa incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona. The caption reads: Pa, Kaki. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 12. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_12_005

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-247/

img Koyuta and Keiko Masukawa (ddr-csujad-38-228)

Photographed are Koyuta and Keiko Kay Masukawa, incarcerees at the Poston camp in Arizona. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 10. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_10_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-228/

doc Receipt for U.S. postal money order (ddr-csujad-38-529)

A receipt for U.S. postal money order for 10 dollars. Issued by M.O.B. [Money Order Branch] of San Francisco, California. It was probably purchased by Tomosuke Masukawa. It is enclosed in an envelope which is found in item: csudh_nao_0504. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_05_01_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-529/

doc Alien's travel permit (to be used only in cases of terminal departure), WRA-394 (ddr-csujad-38-546)

An alien's travel permit, WRA-394, for Tomosuke Masukawa, an incarceree in the Poston camp, Arizona. It certifies that his travel to Glendale, California, has been permitted by the Department of Justice and is singed by Project Leave Officer in the camp. The item is imperfect. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-546/

img Tomosuke and Koyuta Masukawa (ddr-csujad-38-336)

Photographed are Tomosuke and Koyuta Masukawa standing in front of their house on Lomita Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 22. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_22_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-336/

img Tomosuke Masukawa at a railway platform (ddr-csujad-38-319)

Photographed is Tomosuke Masukawa standing on a railway platform. "Feb 1952" stamped on the back side. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 20. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_20_004_01

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-319/

img Koyuta Masukawa (ddr-csujad-38-230)

Photographed is Koyuta Masukawa, an incarceree of the Poston camp in Arizona. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 10. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_10_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-230/

doc Postcard from Tsuruno Meguro to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Takano, August 14, 1942 (ddr-csujad-42-62)

A postcard from Tsuruno Meguro to her son-in-law and daughter, Fumio Fred and Yoneko Takano in the Santa Anita Assembly Center. She informs that her departure has been scheduled on Monday August 17, and her son-in-law, Ben, and her daughter, Masako, will leave later. English translation is found in item: csudh_tak_0063. Typescript is found in item: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-62/

doc Postcard from Tsuruno Meguro to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Takano, August 14, 1942, English translation (ddr-csujad-42-63)

English translation of the letter: csudh_tak_0062. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_01_32_001_eng

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-63/

img Japanese immigrants at Francis Scott Key Monument (ddr-csujad-42-197)

A photograph of Japanese male immigrants posing in front of Francis Scott Key Monument in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: tak_02_05_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-42-197/