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 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 Letter from Stephen L. Weber to Bilin Tsai (ddr-densho-446-365)

Follow-up letter on Nisei Honorary Degree

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-365/

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/

doc Program for Nisei Honorary Degree Ceremony (ddr-densho-446-362)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-362/

doc Point Loma High School Commencement Program 1939 (ddr-densho-446-425)

Ryo Morikawa's graduation program. She was one of the few Nisei in her class of 144 student.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-425/

doc Pages from San Diego State University yearbook (ddr-densho-446-366)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-366/

doc Keisen 50th Anniversary Brochure (ddr-densho-446-433)

Ryo is in the 1941 Picture of Nisei Graduates, second row, third from left on Page 4. She had another year of study to graduate but decided to leave Japan in June 1941 for fear of being stranded there if war broke out. (1979)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-433/

doc You're Invited...Nisei Honorary Degree Luncheon & Ceremony (ddr-densho-446-360)

Invitation to attend the California Nisei Luncheon and Ceremony Honoring students affected by Executive Order 9066

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-360/

img Bride and Groom Photo (ddr-densho-446-388)

Wedding photo of Ai Chih and Ryo (Morikawa) Tsai

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-388/

img Group Photo of wedding reception (ddr-densho-446-391)

People in photo identified by Ryo (Morikawa) Tsai on back and included Harry Shigeta who exchanged letters with Ai Chih Tsai.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-391/

img Group Photo with Ryo aboard TSS Yawata Maru (ddr-densho-446-431)

Passengers and crew of last ship to leave Yokohama for the US before the war. (June 1941)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-431/

doc Girl Scout Membership Card (ddr-densho-446-354)

Ryo Morikawa's Girl Scout membership card

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-354/

doc Oral Memoirs of Joseph Ishikawa (ddr-densho-468-94)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-94/

doc Nonfiction manuscript: "Road to Freedom" with submission letter and rejection letter (ddr-densho-468-158)

Manuscript of nonfiction narrative describing experience as Japanese-American seeking student leave from World War II incarceration. The manuscript incorporates letters to various college admission staff. Page one is a submission letter to the Yale Review. Page two is a rejection slip.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-158/

doc Draft: "I am not a typical Nisei" (ddr-densho-468-179)

Draft of essay or diary entry with thoughts on identity, race, deculturalization, and friendship

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-179/

doc Notes for didactic novel "Johnny Obata" (ddr-densho-468-76)

Sketches of ideas for novel involving Johnny Obata character from ddr-densho-468-75. Author comments on his relationship to Nisei group and expresses concern for Nisei individuals (but not the group as a whole).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-76/