Nisei

The Nisei (second generation) felt the pull of two cultures. American born, attending public schools, and influenced by American popular culture, they shared the same idols, favorite songs and sports heroes as most other children of their generation. Wanting to fit in, many Nisei with Japanese first names dropped them for Western ones that their non-Japanese friends could easily pronounce. Yet, most grew up in Japanese neighborhoods, and their parents taught them the customs and values of the old country.

Identity and values (344)
Nisei (2567)

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Nisei

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2567 items

img Sorelles Beach Outing (ddr-one-1-397)

Black and white photographic print of Sumi "Sue" (Kaga) Hasegawa playing the ukulele for Aki (Shiraishi) Dong as she is buried in the sand at a beach outing planned by the Sorrelles (a high school social group). Three Nisei men sit around Aki (Shiraishi) Dong, from front to back: Yoji Kiso, Shig Tada, and Tom Fujii.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-397/

img Methodist Men's Choir (ddr-one-1-349)

Black and white photographic negative of four men standing around a piano in matching overcoats singing to a song played by Mary (Furusho) Iwasaki on the piano. Men from left to right: Yoji Matsushima, Shig Tada, Joe Namba, and Kenji Onishi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-349/

img Lotus Bazaar (ddr-one-1-596)

Black and white photographic negative of nine unidentified Japanese Americans standing around a game booth. A young boy is rubbing his eye in the corner.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-596/

img Meeting (ddr-one-1-454)

Color slide of two women sitting at a meeting table, a man standing at the head. Others sitting in the background. According to donor processed on September 12, 1952.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-454/

img Nisei in formal dress (ddr-one-1-562)

Black and white photographic negative of four Nisei standing outside in formal dress. From left to right: Kay Endo, Akiko “Aki” (Endo) Akagi, Mieko Fujita, and Kazuko "Kazzie" (Endo) Hara.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-562/

img Wading at the Oregon Coast (ddr-one-1-456)

Color slide of five Nisei girls wading into the water at the Oregon Coast while others wonder around the rock edge in the distance, two men can be seen fishing. Woman on far right in the water is May (Ebihara) Gelfand. According to donor processed on September 12, 1952.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-456/

img Sorelles Beach Outing (ddr-one-1-399)

Black and white photographic negative of Yoji Kiso (left) and Shig Tada (right) sitting in the sand at the Oregon Coast at a beach outing planned by the Sorrelles (a high school social group).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-399/

img Third Annual Oregon Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance- Couples seated (ddr-one-1-120)

Black and white photographic negative of couples sitting around two tables at the Third Annual Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance at McElroy's Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. The couples are chatting and drinking, one of the bottles has a 7-up label. Couple in the center identified as Lillian (Wong) Okazaki and Mino Okazaki. Woman in front on …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-120/

img Car Engine Repair (ddr-one-1-639)

Black and white photographic negative of Frank Yasui working on a car engine at the Motor Clinic on Park and Burnside in Portland, Oregon.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-639/

img Nisei Bowling League Women's Team (ddr-one-1-127)

Black and white photographic negative of a Nisei women's bowling team. The team is posed in front of a Ford sedan with a bowling ball and monogrammed shirts. Back row left to right: Kathleen Sasaki, Yoko (Hishikawa) Iwata, and Takako Inukai. Front row left to right: Toshi (Tamiyasu) Fukuhara, and Sachi (Nakata) Nakashima. Original print ONLC …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-127/

img Nisei Duet (ddr-one-1-342)

Black and white photographic negative of two unidentified Nisei women singing next to a piano. This photograph may have been taken during the Northwest Methodist Rally.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-342/

img Young Buddhist League Convention Court and Queen (ddr-one-1-26)

Black and white photographic print of the Fourth Annual Northwest Young Buddhist League's Convection Court and Queen. Left to Right: Mae (Okazaki) Sasaki of Tacoma, Washington; Margaret Tomoguchi of Seattle, Washington; Mary (Nakata) Fujii of Portland, Oregon (Queen); Sumi (Hashimoto) Kurokawa, and Takako Nitta of Spokane, Washington. This photograph was found in Frank Hirahara's memorabilia of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-26/

img Reed College (ddr-one-1-359)

Black and white photographic negative of Ayame Ogimi and her brother Carlos Ogimi staring at a large document or drawing on a table in front of them. This photograph was taken at Reed College where Ayame and Carlos were both students. Original print ONLC 3175 (ddr-one-1-357).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-359/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-31)

Original black and white photographic print of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto's wedding taken from above and behind. Negative ONLC 2815. (ddr-one-1-42)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-31/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-35)

Original black and white photographic print of Bride and Groom, Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto and Sam Sakamoto, smiling for the camera. Print is a portrait of the couple.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-35/

img Sitting on the Beach (ddr-one-1-618)

Black and white photographic negative of five Nisei girls sitting on the beach, two drinking bottles of soda. From left to right: Betty Nakashimada, unidentified, Martha Fujii, Jean (Kida) Tomita, and unidentified.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-618/

img Sorelles Group Photo (ddr-one-1-9)

Black and white photographic negative of the Sorelles, a high school social group. Back Row (left to right): Elsie Okazaki, Anges (Inouye) Kitayama, Atsuko "Alice" Kida, Atsuko “Alice” (Matsumoto) Ando, Nami (Miura) Koida, Kimi Wakabayashi, Grace Mieko (Muramatsu) Ouchida, Masae “Elsie” (Morita) Onishi, and Betty Nakashimada. Middle Row (left to right): Rose Haruye (Muramatsu) Ouchida, Kathleen …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-9/

img Lotus Bazaar (ddr-one-1-597)

Black and white photographic negative of six unidentified Japanese Americans standing around a game booth at the Annual Lotus Bazaar. Behind is a sign for a Penny Pitch.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-597/

img Indoor Carnival Fundraiser- Bingo (ddr-one-1-88)

Black and white photographic negative of an indoor carnival fundraiser possibly hosted by the Sorelles or Adelphons (Japanese American young women's groups). People sitting and playing bingo, watchers stand behind. Sitting left to right: Joe Namba, Nobi Saito, Henry "Wimpy" Kawata, George Kasahara, Terry Mishiro, Diane (Ando) Harder, and Minoru "Bob" Ando. Standing in front of …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-88/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-314)

Black and white photographic negative of Susan Shizuko (Yoshida) Kurimoto posing with 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.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-314/

img Sitting on the Beach (ddr-one-1-614)

Black and white photographic negative of Lillian (Niimi) Mikariya sitting on the beach looking to the right wrapped in a striped towel.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-614/

img Nisei women (ddr-one-1-345)

Black and white photographic negative of three women standing in front of a piano possibly singing, two women seated to the side listening. From left to right: Jayne (Katada) Furukawa, Betty Ishida, Beti ann (Minamoto) Wantroba, May (Ebihara) Gelfand, and Lillian (Niimi) Mikariya. This photograph may have been taken during the Northwest Methodist Rally.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-345/