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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Issei

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1035 items

img Kurakichi Yamamoto (ddr-densho-492-46)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-492-46/

img Kurakichi Yamamoto and Hide (Ninomiya) Yamamoto (ddr-densho-492-45)

Portrait of Kurakichi Yamamoto (left) and his wife Hide (Ninomiya) Yamamoto (right). Written along the top is "Daddy bc Mother" in blue ink. Written on the back is "Kurakichi Hawaii / 1856-1923 / Hide / Ninomiya / 1863 /1945 Hawaii" in pencil.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-492-45/

img Hide (Ninomiya) Yamamoto (ddr-densho-492-52)

Photograph of Hide (Ninomiya) Yamamoto dressed in kimono. Written on the back is "Soichi's Mother" in blue ink. Caption on back in Japanese

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-492-52/

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 Seattle Times: Exhibits celebrate immigrants' strengths, talents in new country (ddr-densho-446-452)

Article titled "Japanese-American women" noted that the 11 NW women added to the exhibit at the Burke were chosen by a committee of their peers.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-452/

doc A Myopic Account of a Relocated Life during the Second World War (ddr-densho-468-97)

Personal recollections of life in an assembly center and relocation camp for Japanese descendants and various digressions

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-97/

doc Short story: "The outcast" / "The alien within" (ddr-densho-468-68)

Four typed drafts. First draft describes a Japanese American girl in the mid-20th century. Second, third, and fourth drafts describe incarceration. The story's name changes from "The outcast" to "The alien within" between drafts 2 and 3. Final draft has perspective shift from third-person narrator to first-person.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-68/

doc Book of 70th Anniversary of Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-446-455)

The Japanese Congregational Church's 70th Anniversary coincided with the 100th Anniversary of the Japanese Christian Mission in North America. This book traces the history of JCC within the larger setting of national and local events, and some of the photos and narratives may be of interest. Ai Chih Tsai was pastor at JCC from 1948 to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-455/

doc Ryo Morikawa Recollections (ddr-densho-446-349)

Autobiography: Ryo's parents, Life in San Diego, 11 months in Japan, Evacuation, Married Life

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-349/

doc History of the Japanese Congregational Church 1907-2007 (ddr-densho-446-454)

Summary of the Japanese Congregational Church's history from 1807 to 2007 written by Bisim Lee for its 100th Anniversary Dinner (October 2007)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-454/

doc Ryo Tsai Draft Narrative re: Origin of NKHA Exhibit (ddr-densho-446-448)

Ryo Tsai explained how the Nippon Kan Heritage Association (NKHA) Exhibit was conceived and implemented. It was shown at Nippon Kan on Mar 17, 1985 and later at the Seattle Public Library.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-448/

img Group Photo of Ryo with Uncle's family (ddr-densho-446-430)

Ryo lived with her Uncle's (Kennoshin Fujiwara) family while attending Keisen. (circa 1940 or 1941)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-430/

doc Carbon copy letter from Ai Chih Tsai to J.Y. Lai (ddr-densho-446-414)

Responding to Mr. Lai's letter about the history of Christians in Taiwan. (3 pages)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-414/

img Photo of Kennosuke & Ayano Morikawa (ddr-densho-446-421)

Morikawa Nurseries with Ryo's notes about the property on the back: "Bought under the name of a nisei friend because aliens could not buy land. Later his children were land owners." (circa 1935)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-421/

img Photo of Kennosuke & Ayano Morikawa (ddr-densho-446-418)

Taken shortly after Ayano's entry to the US in Feb 1916

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-418/

img Photo of Kennosuke Morikawa funeral (ddr-densho-446-423)

Ryo's father was killed by a drunken driver near the Nursery on Nov 12, 1937 (photo taken in 1937)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-423/

img Group Photo with Kennosuke "Frank" Morikawa (ddr-densho-446-416)

Father of Ryo (in middle) shortly after his US entry via Puebla, Canada in Dec 1906 (photo circa 1907). He worked in the orange groves and as a chauffeur before opening his nursery in San Diego.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-416/