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 Reed College (ddr-one-1-363)

Black and white photographic negative of Carlos Ogimi and other students sitting at drawing table working on an unknown project. Carlos is the first seated student on the right, everyone else is unidentified. This photographic negative was taken at Reed College where Carlos was a student. Original print ONLC 3179 (ddr-one-1-361).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-363/

img Reed College (ddr-one-1-352)

Black and white photographic negative of Ayame Ogimi leaning back in a chair reading a book with her feet resting on a desk. The picture was taken at Reed College, most likely in the common area of her dorm, where Ayame attended school.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-352/

img Valentine's Day potluck at Oregon Buddhist Church (ddr-one-1-57)

Color slide of unidentified Japanese American women in buffet line at Valentine's Day potluck at the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as the Oregon Buddhist Temple).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-57/

img New Tokyo Bar (ddr-one-1-82)

Black and white photographic negative of unidentified men playing Gibson guitars at the New Tokyo Bar. For print please see ONLC 4949 (ddr-one-1-720)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-82/

img Hanamatsuri (birth of Buddha celebration) Odori Performance (ddr-one-1-411)

Black and white photographic negative of Patricia “Pat” (Ikata) Iboshi dancing on stage in a western style dress for Hanamatsuri (birth of Buddha celebration) at Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as Oregon Buddhist Temple).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-411/

img Indoor Carnival Fundraiser- Bingo (ddr-one-1-86)

Black and white photographic negative of an indoor carnival fundraiser possibly hosted by the Sorelles or Adelphons (Japanese American young women's groups). Prizes laid out in foreground surrounded by bingo players. Background has other games with players out front including: Penny Pitch, Balloon Darts, and Nickel Toss. Bingo players from left to right: Mieko Fujita, Shiz …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-86/

img Third Annual Oregon Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance- Couple seated (ddr-one-1-123)

Black and white photographic negative of couple sitting around a table at the Third Annual Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance at McElroy's Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. The couple is posing for the camera, a second woman is sitting on the far right. From left to right: Lolita (Leo) Sakamoto Tsujimura, Bob Luck and Doris Chan. Original …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-123/

img Nisei at Epworth United Methodist Church (ddr-one-1-438)

Black and white photographic print of unidentified Nisei at Epworth United Methodist Church. This photograph may have been taken during the Northwest Methodist Rally. Negative ONLC 3158 (ddr-one-1-340).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-438/

img Sorelles Group Photo (ddr-one-1-23)

Original black and white photographic print of the Sorelles, a high school social group. Back Row (left to right): Elsie Okazaki, Agnes (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, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-23/

img Sorelles Beach Outing (ddr-one-1-398)

Black and white photographic negative of Nisei at the Oregon Coast sitting in the sand at a beach outing planned by the Sorrelles (a high school social group). Front row from left to right: Masae "Elsie" (Morita) Onishi, Joe Namba, and Nobyo Sato. Back row from left to right: Jean Matsumoto, Grace (Sakano) Robbs, and Atsuko …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-398/

img Nisei women (ddr-one-1-426)

Black and white photographic negative of four unidentified Nisei women holding bags and notebooks and looking at the camera inside Seattle Buddhist Church.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-426/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-47)

Black and white photographic negative of two men in suits posed. From left to right: Keso Kuwahara and groom Sam Sakamoto.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-47/

img Ladies Bowling Team- Oregon Nisei Bowling League Photo #3 (ddr-one-1-563)

Black and white photographic negative of a Nisei women's bowling team. The team is posed in front of a Ford sedan with monogrammed shirts. From left to right: Yoko (Hishikawa) Iwata, Kathleen Sasaki, Sachi (Nakata) Nakashima, Takako Inukai and Toshi (Tamiyasu) Fukuhara. Original print ONLC 3428.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-563/

img Nap (ddr-one-1-664)

Black and white photographic negative of an unidentified Nisei man laying down on blankets at the end of a picnic.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-664/

img Community Picnic (ddr-one-1-383)

Black and white photographic negative of a group of Nisei men sitting on the ground chatting at a community picnic at Viking Park hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as the Oregon Buddhist Temple). Facing the camera from left to right: Alfred Tsutomu Ando and Roy Otsuki. Jean Matsumoto is kneeling behind Alfred Tsutomu …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-383/

img Adelphons Group Photo (ddr-one-1-1)

Original black and white photographic print of the Adelphons, a young women's service group of the Portland Chapter of the Japanese American Citizen's League, in formal attire. Back Row (left to right): Sumiko “Sue” (Kawasaki) Fujino, unidentified, Minnie (Oyama) Abe, Ochiyo (Nishioka) Hasuike, unidentified, Mary (Furusho) Iwasaki, Tamae "Butch" Yamamoto, Kathryn (Kawata) Niita, Irene (Kawata) Nakagawa, …

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

img Frank and Shig (ddr-one-1-588)

Black and white photographic negative of Frank Hirahara (right) and Shig Yuzuriha standing in front of a brick building. For print please see ONLC 4786 (ddr-one-1-587)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-588/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-45)

Black and white photographic negative of wedding attendants posed. Left to right: Tamaye (Fujiwara) Nomi and Yoichi "Jack" Nomi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-45/

img Poker on the Beach (ddr-one-1-620)

Black and white photographic negative of three Nisei men playing cards on a blanket at the beach. Two unidentified men look on from behind. From left to right players: Hiro Okayama, Shig Oka, and George Nakamura.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-620/

img Friends (ddr-one-1-590)

Black and white photographic negative of Shig Yuzuriha standing on the far right with two unidentified Nisei standing outside a brick building.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-590/

img Sorelles Group Photo (ddr-one-1-12)

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-1-12/

img Third Annual Oregon Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance- Women seated (ddr-one-1-121)

Black and white photographic negative of women sitting around two tables at the Third Annual Nisei Bowling League Tournament Dance at McElroy's Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. The women are chatting with drinks on the table. From left to right women facing the camera: unidentified, Mieko Fujita, Aki (Shiraishi) Dong, Takako Inukai, and Sumi "Sue" (Kaga) Hasegawa.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-121/

img DJ (ddr-one-1-651)

Black and white photographic negative of three Nisei behind a table acting as DJs. The sign on the table reads "Buzz Record Sh, Request 5 ¢." From left to right: Betty Nakashimada, Rupert Fujii, and Aki (Shiraishi) Dong. Standing front of the table looking at his hands is Henry Matsunaga.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-651/

img Community Picnic (ddr-one-1-380)

Black and white photographic negative of Nisei sitting at a picnic table enjoying a community picnic at Viking Park hosted by the Oregon Buddhist Church (now known as the Oregon Buddhist Temple). From left to right: Ted Tatsuo Tamaki, Shizuko "Shiz" (Ochiai) Ota Okazaki, Eddie Tamiyasu, Nobuko (Ochiai) Susaki, and unidentified.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-380/

img Wedding of Sam Sakamoto and Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto (ddr-one-1-40)

Original black and white photographic print of bridal party standing in front of the alter. Left to right: Tamaye (Fujiwara) Nomi, Hanaye (Fujiwara) Sakamoto, and Lilly (Kobayashi) Irinaga.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-1-40/