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 A family on a dairy farm (ddr-densho-353-35)

A dairy farm located in King County.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-353-35/

img The Koichi Hoida family on their dairy farm (ddr-densho-353-50)

Captioned: "Hoida father and four children."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-353-50/

img Sawaye Mukai and her friends (ddr-densho-353-199)

Captioned: "Sawaye Mukai and her friends welcoming Mrs. Horita to the U.S."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-353-199/

doc Crystal City Chatter Issue 100 (ddr-densho-537-100)

Issue 100 includes a recap of a Las Vegas trip, health advice, stories about Isseis, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-100/

doc 50th Anniversary of the Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-474-52)

This book traces the first fifty years of the history of the JCC in Seattle. The first four pages covering the introduction from Rev. Archie H. Hook and the brief overview of the church's history are in English, as are the photo captions throughout the book.The bulk of the text is in Japanese. The JCC members' …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-474-52/

img Hatsu (Kishimoto) Kakutani (ddr-densho-474-156)

Hatsu Kishimoto Kakutani, second wife of Izaemon Kakutani

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-474-156/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-312)

Black and white photographic negative of two Obon dancers in costume, Mrs. Okayama is holding an "uchiwa" (fan), Yukiye Itoyama is holding a tenugui (light cotton towel). Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community. Original print ONLC 3261 (ddr-one-1-437).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-312/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-315)

Black and white photographic negative of two Obon dancers posing with "uchiwa" (fan). From left to right: Tomi Tsujimura and Yachiyo Morita. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-315/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-199)

Black and white photographic negative of Obon dancers posing for camera in front of small crowd with their backs bent slightly and arms extended. Fourth from the left is Yukiye Itoyama, fifth from the left is Eki Yumibe. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-199/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-252)

Black and white photographic negative of nine Obon dancers posing for the camera. From left to right: unidentified, Kuni Kitayama, Sakae Kobayashi, Hisako (Onishi) Saito, Hisano Sakamoto, unidentified, Tomi Tsujimura, Yoshino Fujii, unidentified. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-252/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-274)

Black and white photographic negative of two Obon dancers with tenugui (light cotton towels) around their necks posing for the camera. On left is Yukiye Itoyama. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-274/

img Obon Festival- Dancer (ddr-one-1-280)

Black and white photographic negative of Fukiyo Masuda smiling for the camera at Obon. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-280/

img Obon Festival- Obon dancers (ddr-one-1-212)

Black and white photographic negative of four Obon dancers posed for the camera in front of a crowd. From left to right: Chieko Yoshihara, Hisano Sakamoto, Sakae Kobayashi, and Kaoru Funatake. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community. This …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-212/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-293)

Black and white photographic negative of two Obon dancers holding "uchiwa" (fan) and smiling for the camera indoors. From left to right: Kuni Kitayama and Chiyoko Yoshihara. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-293/

img Obon Festival- Dancer (ddr-one-1-234)

Black and white photographic negative of Harue Akiyama, the Obon dance instructor, posing for camera wearing straw hat. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community. This image was taken at Holladay Park in Portland, Oregon.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-234/

doc 70th Anniversary of the Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-474-53)

The Japanese Congregational Church's 70th Anniversary book traces the history of JCC within the context of national and local events.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-474-53/

img Obon Festival (ddr-one-1-295)

Black and white photographic negative of two unidentified Japanese women in western style clothing with "tenugui" (light cotton towels) around their necks. They are holding "uchiwa" (fan) posing for the camera indoors. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-295/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-640)

Black and white photographic negative of an Issei couple standing behind a set table at a wedding reception posing for the camera.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-640/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-437)

Black and white photographic print of two Obon dancers in costume, Mrs. Okayama is holding an "uchiwa" (fan), Yukiye Itoyama is holding a "tenugui" (light cotton towel). Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community. Negative ONLC 3131 (ddr-one-1-312).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-437/

img Community Picnic (ddr-one-1-370)

Black and white photographic negative of Ben Kasubuchi eating a piece of chicken at a picnic table at a community picnic at Viking Park hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as the Oregon Buddhist Temple).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-370/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-251)

Black and white photographic negative of five Obon dancers posing for camera in front of trees. First from the left: Kaoru Funatake, fifth from left: Masano Hachiya Yamasaki. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple) and attended by the wider Nikkei community.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-251/

img Obon Festival- Dancer (ddr-one-1-232)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-232/

doc Speech: National Memorial Service in Honor of Japanese-American Servicemen who Fought in World War II (ddr-densho-1007-1837)

Speech by Akiji Yoshimura delivered February 20, 1977 honoring military service and contributions of Japanese Americans.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1837/

doc The Newell Star, Vol. I, No. 40 (November 30, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-42)

Selected article titles: "Comply with Smoking Ban at All Indoor Gatherings" (p. 1), "263 Casualties Listed from 9 Centers-WRA" (p. 2), and "Issei Volunteers to Be Accepted by U.S. Army" (p. 2).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-42/

vh Yukiko Miyake Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-49-10)

Issei's attitude toward discrimination: "They are hakujin"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1000-49-10/