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 (362)
Nisei (2567)

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Nisei

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2567 items

img Frank in cabin window (ddr-one-1-571)

Black and white photographic negative of Frank Hirahara leaning out a log cabin window.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-571/

img Sorelles Beach Outing (ddr-one-1-392)

Black and white photographic negative of crowd of Nisei at a beach outing planned by the Sorrelles (a high school social group).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-392/

img Wedding Reception (ddr-one-1-133)

Black and white photographic negative of a unknown wedding reception with a group of wedding guests standing next to the gift table. Standing in the back behind the gifts is Mitsy (Kiyomura) Takeoka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-133/

img Frank Hirahara in developing room (ddr-one-1-567)

Photographic negative of a close up of Frank Hirahara sitting in front of a large sink developing photographs.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-567/

img Third Annual Oregon Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance- Admission Table (ddr-one-1-113)

Black and white photographic negative of three women sitting at the Third Annual Oregon Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance Admission table at McElroy's Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. From left to right: Frances (Kinoshita) Mayeda, Aki (Shiraishi) Dong, Sumi "Sue" (Kaga) Hasegawa.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-113/

img Sitting on the Beach (ddr-one-1-617)

Black and white photographic negative of an unidentified Nisei sitting on the beach drinking a bottle of soda. From left to right: Betty Nakashimada, unidentified, Mary (Nakata) Fujii, and Martha Fujii.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-617/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-247)

Black and white photographic negative of three Japanese American women posing in costumes used to dance during Obon. They are holding tenugui (towels used in traditional Japanese folk dance). From left to right: Jean Yasuko (Kida) Tomita, Atsuko "Alice" (Matsumoto) Ando, Atsuko "Alice" Kida. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-247/

img Reed College (ddr-one-1-365)

Black and white photographic print of Ayame Ogimi playing ukulele for two unidentified friends in her dorm room at Reed College. Negative ONLC 3185 (ddr-one-1-367).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-365/

img Couple eating dessert (ddr-one-1-432)

Black and white photographic negative of Ruth (Komachi) Muramatsu and George Muramatsu enjoying a dessert at the end of a long table with chairs stacked up on the table.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-432/

img Outdoor Games (ddr-one-1-702)

Black and white photographic negative of eight unidentified Issei women standing in a line with spoons in their hands.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-702/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-36)

Original black and white photographic print of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto's wedding reception. About 11 people sitting around banquet tables. Wedding party seated along back wall; from left to right: Yoichi "Jack" Nomi, Tamaye (Fujiwara) Nomi, Sam Sakamoto, Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto, Keso Kuwahara, Lilly (Kobayashi) Irinaga. Rest of the guests are unidentified. For negative …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-36/

img Sorelles Group Photo (ddr-one-1-14)

Original black and white photographic print of the Sorelles, a high school social group. Back Row (left to right): Elsie Okazaki, Beti ann (Minamoto) Wantroba, Jean Matsumoto, Lillian (Niimi) Mikariya, Rose Haruye (Muramatsu) Ouchida, Kathleen “Kathie” Haruko (Matsuda) Sato, Frances (Kinoshita) Mayeda, Grace Mieko (Muramatsu) Ouchida, and Mitsy (Kiyomura) Takeoka. Third Row: Nami (Miura) Koida, Miriam …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-14/

img Human Pyramid (ddr-one-1-666)

Black and white photographic negative of three unidentified Nisei girls forming a human pyramid at the beach.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-666/

img Sorelles Group Photo (ddr-one-1-22)

Black and white photographic negative of the Sorelles, a high school social group. Left to right: Grace (Ebihara) Akiyama, Betty Nakashimada, Jean Yasuko (Kida) Tomita, Nami (Miura) Koida, Masae "Elsie" (Morita) Onishi, Beti ann (Minamoto) Wantroba, Mitsy (Kiyomura) Takeoka, Betty Ishida, Elsie Okazaki, Agnes (Inouye) Kitayama, Atsuko "Alice" Kida, Atsuko "Alice" (Matsumoto) Ando, Jean Matsumoto, and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-22/

img Obon Festival- Dancers (ddr-one-1-246)

Black and white photographic negative of six Obon dancers posing for the camera holding small Japanese and American flags. From left to right: Eddie Tamiyasu, Atsuko "Alice" Kida, Jean (Tsujimura) Takashima, Jean Yasuko (Kida) Tomita, Shizuko "Shiz" (Ochiai) Ota Okazaki, Atsuko "Alice" (Matsumoto) Ando. Obon is an annual event hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-246/

img Sitting on the Beach (ddr-one-1-615)

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

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-615/

img Frank Hirahara in developing room (ddr-one-1-566)

Photographic negative of Frank Hirahara sitting in front of a large sink developing photographs.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-566/

img Registration Table at Epworth United Methodist Church (ddr-one-1-339)

Black and white photographic negative of a registration table inside Epworth United Methodist Church, possibly for the Northwest Methodist Rally. From left to right: Lillian (Niimi) Mikariya, Atsuko "Alice" Kida, and Loretta (Fujii) Kaneko, remaining unidentified.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-339/

img Third Annual Oregon Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance (ddr-one-1-119)

Black and white photographic negative of unidentified couples dancing at the Third Annual Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance at McElroy's Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. Jimmy Amato and his Orchestra are playing in the background.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-119/

img Sitting on a Wall (ddr-one-1-645)

Black and white photographic print of an unidentified Nisei man sitting on a wall in front of a parked car at the Oregon Coast. For negative please see ONLC 4875 (ddr-one-1-646)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-645/

img Reed College (ddr-one-1-358)

Black and white photographic print 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. Negative ONLC 3178 (ddr-one-1-370).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-358/

img Outdoor Games (ddr-one-1-701)

Black and white photographic negative of three unidentified Nisei men stating a race in an open field. Spectators watch on from behind.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-701/

img Nisei at Epworth United Methodist Church (ddr-one-1-326)

Black and white photographic negative of Nisei women at Epworth United Methodist Church rolling up newspapers, possibly during the Northwest Methodist Rally. From left to right: Martha (Kondo) Miyasaki, Miriam (Koyama) Kiso, Grace (Sakano) Robbs, Jean Yasuko (Kida) Tomita, unidentified, and Masae "Elsie" (Morita) Onishi. For print please see ONLC 3145 (ddr-one-1-327).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-326/

img Frank Hirahara pulling rope (ddr-one-1-570)

Black and white photographic negative of Frank Hirahara pulling a pulley rope of a sign.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-570/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-644)

Black and white photographic negative of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto's wedding reception. About 9 people sitting around banquet tables. Wedding party seated along back wall; from left to right: Yoichi "Jack" Nomi, Tamaye (Fujiwara) Nami, Sam Sakamoto, Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto, and Lilly (Kobayashi) Irinaga. Other guests are unidentified.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-644/