Kibei

Kibei is the term for the generation of Nisei born in the U.S. but sent to Japan for education. When in Japan, the Kibei lived with grandparents or other relatives while their parents remained in the U.S. to work. Kibei often struggled to fit in both in Japan, where they were viewed as outsiders, and the U.S., where they were considered "too Japanese" by their Nisei peers. Because of their knowledge of both cultures and languages, the Kibei in particular were targeted by the government as "disloyal" during World War II. Ironically, the Kibei were heavily recruited for the Military Intelligence Service because of their linguistic abilities.

Identity and values (200)
Kibei (481)

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481 items

img Yoshiko Tsubota Tsujihara (ddr-densho-252-35)

A young woman in a kimono. Caption on Post-it: "Yoshiko Tsubota Tsujihara (Kibei)."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-252-35/

doc Americans: The story of the 442nd Combat Team (ddr-densho-478-2)

The story of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, including the team's training, preparation for overseas movement, campaigns, and battles. It also includes drawings, photographs, maps, an award list, battle honors, and the names of the 442nd infantry regiment and the 552nd field artillery battalion.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-478-2/

doc Washington Township JACL property survey, "Kibei" survey, family record for Ohtani (ddr-densho-491-131)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-131/

doc Washington Township JACL property survey and "Kibei" survey for Minoru James Matsumoto (ddr-densho-491-96)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-96/

Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Nakamura families (ddr-densho-491-116)

doc Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Nakamura families (ddr-densho-491-116)

Including "Kibei" surveys, Washington Township JACL property survey, property report, family record

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-116/

doc "Kibei" Survey, family record for Kiyoshi Nakamura family (ddr-densho-491-115)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-115/

doc "Kibei" Survey for Rie Ando (ddr-densho-491-46)

Includes Washington Township survey and family record

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-46/

doc "Kibei" Survey for Isamu Komatsu, blank Washington township JACL Social Data Registration, and family record (ddr-densho-491-86)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-86/

doc Washington Township JACL property survey, "Kibei" survey and family record for Uyeda family (ddr-densho-491-166)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-166/

Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Machida family (ddr-densho-491-91)

doc Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Machida family (ddr-densho-491-91)

Including Washington Township JACL property survey, property record and family record

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-91/

Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Yoshida family (ddr-densho-491-174)

doc Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Yoshida family (ddr-densho-491-174)

Including "Kibei" survey, property report and family record

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-174/

doc Washington Township JACL Survey, "Kibei" survey, property report and family record for Takeuchi family (ddr-densho-491-151)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-151/

doc "Kibei" Survey for Tetsuo Robert Nakajima and family record for Nakajima family (ddr-densho-491-111)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-111/

Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Kumagai family (ddr-densho-491-89)

doc Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Kumagai family (ddr-densho-491-89)

Including "Kibei" survey for Sumiki Kumagai, Washington Township JACL property survey, property report, family report

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-89/

doc "Kibei" survey and family record for Sugimoto family (ddr-densho-491-148)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-148/

Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Kumamoto family (ddr-densho-491-90)

doc Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Kumamoto family (ddr-densho-491-90)

Including family record

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-90/

Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Yamano family (ddr-densho-491-170)

doc Information concerning citizenship German, Italian and Japanese Farmers of Alameda County and associated documents for Yamano family (ddr-densho-491-170)

Including "Kibei" survey, Washington Township JACL property survey, Property report, family record

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-491-170/

doc Message to John J. McCloy (ddr-densho-67-57)

Message from unknown source to John J. McCloy on Kibei in Hawaii. Discusses the professed loyalty or disloyalty to the U.S. of the Kibei - author states that all Kibei are probably disloyal. Requests transfer of interned, "loyal" Hawaiian Kibei to mainland camps because if those loyal Kibei filed a writ of habeas corpus in Hawaii, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-57/

doc Memo to John J. McCloy regarding Kibei in Hawaii (ddr-densho-67-59)

Memo to John McCloy from unknown source regarding Hawaiian Kibei parolees. The author states that he had been paroling Kibei considered least dangerous and monitoring them as an alternative to transfering them to the mainland. This process only applied to a tiny population so the military would not be accused of "relaxing their vigilence." Author also …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-59/

doc Memo from the office of John J. McCloy (ddr-densho-67-58)

Memo from the office of John J. McCloy to an unknown recipient regarding transfer of Hawaiian Kibei to Tule Lake. Author states that Kibei cannot be transferred due to lack of facilities and the fear that the Kibei will add to a growing militant section of internees. This would be problematic because the Japanese military might …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-67-58/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Lois (ddr-one-5-48)

Seven page letter to Kei Koyama from Lois at Minidoka dated March 8, 1943. The pages are thin and have water damage. The letter talks about religion (Buddhism and Christianity), the different between Nisei and Kibei, and many other topics about daily life at Minidoka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-48/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-71)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Detention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Sep 13, 1943. In place of postage, “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in the upper right corner. Along the top “9/20-43” is written in red pencil. Inside the envelope is a letter dated Sept 12, 1943. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-71/

doc [Significant factors in requests for repatriation and expatriation] (ddr-csujad-2-57)

Report on the influx of repatriation to Japan requests from Manzanar Incarceration Camp. Report describes camp life in Tule Lake compared to Manzanar, special concerns with Kibei and Issei individuals, the draft, and family dilemma related to repatriation. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0057

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-57/

doc [Some reactions to selective service: Tule Lake] (ddr-csujad-2-58)

Report on selective service reactions at Tule Lake Camp. Report discusses Japanese identity compared to American identity, especially for the Nisei, repatriation requests, and draft evasion. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0058

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-2-58/

img Atsushi Art Ishida and George Naohara (ddr-csujad-38-256)

Photographed are a group of Nisei incarcerated in the Tule Lake camp in California, including George Nobuo Naohara and Atsushi Art Ishida. It is taken in front of their assigned barracks unit. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 14. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_02_14_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-256/