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 Nisei man crushing coals (ddr-csujad-38-52)

Photographed is a Nisei man crushing coals for cooking. It is probably taken at Axel Johnson Ranch in Utah. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 14. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_14_005

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-52/

img Nisei farm workers (ddr-csujad-38-70)

Photographed are Nisei farm workers. It is probably taken in Rupert, Idaho, or Utah. The caption reads: we used to play together like this on a day off. [In Japanese]. Title from caption. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 18. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-70/

doc Card from George Naohara to Mitzi Naohara (ddr-csujad-38-380)

A Valentine's Day card from George Nobuo Naohara to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara. It was probably sent to Mitzi while she was incarcerated at the Poston camp in Arizona. An item from: Mitzi Naohara scrapbook (csudh_nao_0400), page 19. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_03_20_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-380/

img Handsome guy, Keny Kuwahara (ddr-csujad-38-63)

Photographed is Kenneth Kenji Kuwahara standing in a sugar beet field probably in Rupert, Idaho, or Utah. The caption reads: Handsome guy, Keny Kuwahara. Japanese-English bilingual, Kenji Kuwahara. [In Japanese]. Title from caption. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 17. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-63/

doc Statement of United States citizen of Japanese ancestry, DSS form 304A, Nobuo Naohara (ddr-csujad-38-574)

Statement of United States citizen of Japanese ancestry, DSS form 304A, partially filled by Selective Service System for George Nobuo Naohara. The attached letter is found in item: csudh_nao_0550. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_05_15_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-574/

img Nisei farm workers (ddr-csujad-38-69)

Photographed are Nisei farm workers. Handwritten names include: Shoichi, Wata___, Frank Oshita, Arthur Sasaki. It is probably taken at Axel Johnson Ranch in Utah. A photo from "George Naohara photo album" (csudh_nao_0001), page 18. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_01_18_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-69/

img George Naohara and Atsushi Art Ishida in the Jerome camp (ddr-csujad-38-252)

Photographed are George Nobuo Naohara and Atsushi Art Ishida at the Jerome camp in Arkansas. George is wearing an apron. The photo was given to Mitzi Masukawa Naohara incarcerated in the Poston camp in Arizona. A photo from: Mitzi Naohara photo album (csudh_nao_0200), page 13. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-252/

img Moji Port (ddr-csujad-38-446)

A group photograph of the U.S. soldiers, including George Nobuo Naohara. It was taken when they departed the Moji Port in Japan for Korea. The captions read: We are about to board on the ship. President Truman issued the order. General MacArthur was the Commander. 24th Infantry Division was sent to Pusan. The Korean War broke …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-446/

img U.S. soldiers swimming in a river (ddr-csujad-38-451)

Photographed are U.S. soldiers swimming in a river. The annotation reads: No bath houses. Therefore, took a dip in the river to wash ourselves. Patrol plane kept an eye out for enemies. Item from: George Naohara scrapbook: Korean War and before leaving Japan (csudh_nao_0600). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-451/

Postcard from Federal Security Agency and Social Security Board to United States Employment Service Idaho Division, September 6, 1942 (ddr-csujad-38-551)

doc Postcard from Federal Security Agency and Social Security Board to United States Employment Service Idaho Division, September 6, 1942 (ddr-csujad-38-551)

A postcard from Federal Security Agency and Social Security Board to United States Employment Service Idaho Division and Fruit Growers Association, Idaho, introducing George Nobuo Naohara as an applicant for the position of fruit picker. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: nao_05_13_003

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-38-551/

doc Part IV. Collective adjustments to the relocation center, chapter I: social structure of the community (ddr-csujad-26-5)

Description of camp social structures including "Caucasian-Japanese relations" highlighting tension and hostility by three groups that most directly involve Japanese Americans and the incarceration: The War Relocation Authority (WRA), the US Army and the American public. Using case - studies, the manuscript examines these relationships and discusses the circumstances of incarceration contributing to differences in social …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-5/

doc Chapter 8, 9, 10 personality cards (ddr-csujad-26-35)

Journal entries written by high school students discussing their observations and perspectives on a variety of topics including movies, dances, dissatisfaction with recreation, family dynamics, desire to leave camp, cultural and generational differences, and weather. Each entry includes the full date and student name. The entries were part of a class assignment and collected for the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-35/

doc Outline of University of California study of evacuation and resettlement (ddr-csujad-26-2)

Outline for an academic social science study, the Japanese American Evacuation and Resettlement Study (JERS), led by the University of California of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Outline highlights area of administrative, social, political and personal areas to be studied by a team of researchers encamped with incarcerees. See this object in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-2/

doc Structural report, institutional adjustments, VII: communicative institutions (ddr-csujad-26-13)

Description of observed language skills, languages spoken, and cultural differences contributing to difficulty in communication among incarcerees. The report defines communicative institutions "as means of passing information from place or person to another." Report compiled as a portion of the Japanese American Evacuation and Resettlement Study (JERS). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-13/

img Taenaka family portrait (ddr-csujad-25-256)

A page from the Taenaka family photo album. Pasted on the page is a portrait of the Taenaka family taken in Los Angeles, California around 1930. Includes: Tamesaburo, Kamie, Haruko, Yaeko, Ukichi, Toshikuni, Chiyoko, and Saiko. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_09_01_051

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-256/

img Toshikuni Taenaka in US Army uniform (ddr-csujad-25-93)

A photograph of Toshikuni Taenaka, a Japanese American Nisei/Kibei soldier, in US Army uniform with Private First Class insignia on the arms. He poses, siting on a military bed. The photograph is probably taken in Camp Savage, Minnesota. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_035

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-93/

img Toshikuni Taenaka in US Army service uniform (ddr-csujad-25-64)

A photograph of Toshikuni Taenaka, a Japanese American Nisei/Kibei soldier, in US Army service uniform with a metal eagle insignia hat. The photograph is probably taken in Brighton, Colorado, where his parents reside. The same image is found in item: uscb_jia_0121. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_006

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-64/

img Japanese American soldiers in US Army uniform (ddr-csujad-25-111)

A photograph of Japanese American soldiers in US Army uniform. They pose sitting on the ground. The photograph is probably taken in Camp Savage, Minnesota. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_053

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-111/

img Taenaka family in farm (ddr-csujad-25-80)

A photograph of Ukichi Taenaka [?], a brother of Toshikuni Taenaka who is a Japanese American Nisei/Kibei soldier. He is harvesting sugar beets in McMorrow's farm, Brighton, Colorado. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_022

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-80/

img Toshikuni Taenaka in US Army combat uniform (ddr-csujad-25-60)

A photograph of Toshikuni Taenaka, a Japanese American Nisei/Kibei soldier, in US Army combat uniform, resting with other soldiers. Inscription on the back of the photograph reads: 4-42, me. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_002

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-60/

img Toshikuni Taenaka in US Army uniform (ddr-csujad-25-71)

A photograph of Toshikuni Taenaka, a Japanese American Nisei/Kibei soldier, in US Army uniform with Private First Class insignia on the arm and a gas mask. He poses, holding a gas mask and standing in front of the house where his parents most likely reside in Brighton, Colorado. See this object in the California State Universities …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-71/

img Taenaka family in a farm (ddr-csujad-25-91)

A photograph of the Taenaka family in a farm, Brighton, Colorado. Includes Tamesaburo Taenaka, Kamie Taenaka, Ukichi Taenaka [?], and Yaeko Taenaka [?], harvesting sugar beets in McMorrow's farm. The same image is found in item: ucsb_jia_0081. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: jia_08_01_033

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-25-91/

doc Structural report, institutional adjustments, V: educational institutions (ddr-csujad-26-20)

Essay observing education levels, types of students, and establishment of education programs at Tule Lake for English speaking students. Includes descriptions of programs for various age groups including nursery, primary, secondary, adult education, college and the Student Relocation Council. Report compiled as a portion of the Japanese American Evacuation and Resettlement Study (JERS). See this object …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-26-20/

doc Names of incarcerees that I sent letters (ddr-csujad-34-9)

A handwritten note by Hiroshi Fukuwa. It lists names that he sent a letter during his incarceration. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: hrs_07_001

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-34-9/

doc Manzanar diary (ddr-csujad-34-1)

One diary written by Hiroshi Fukuwa, a Kibei Nisei of Los Angeles, California. His diary starts from his departing day from Los Angeles to move into the Manzanar incarceration camp as one of the first group of volunteer incacerees. He was transferred to the Gila River camp, Arizona, to join his brother's family, and segregated into …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-34-1/