Concentration camps

The War Relocation Authority (WRA) oversaw construction of ten concentration camps in sparsely populated and isolated areas. Between June and October 1942, Japanese Americans were transferred from the "assembly centers" to the larger camps. Housing approximately 120,000 people, the camps were designed to be self-contained communities, complete with hospitals, post offices, schools, warehouses, and residential areas. The WRA attempted to establish normalcy by setting up newspapers, a degree of self-government, sports leagues, and social events. But confinement, monotony, and harsh conditions exacerbated tensions between pro- and anti-camp administration residents and between the disempowered Issei and their U.S.-born Nisei children. At several centers, conflicts erupted into violence and at the Manzanar concentration camp the unrest resulted in fatal shootings. The WRA gradually granted work and school leave to those they considered "loyal." The last camp closed in March 1946.

World War II (277)
Concentration camps (1771)

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1771 items

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Akiko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-2)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Akiko Miyagi. Akiko tells about a sandstorm on July 3rd, how her younger brother Donald can now say "goodbye" and how the tempature in Arizona is very hot. Per donor, this letter was written by the older sister Takeko (aged 9) for Akiko (aged 3).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-2/

img Uyechi brothers and Donald (ddr-densho-416-23)

Photograph of Joe and Yosh Uyechi with Donald Miyagi outside a barrack at Poston Assembly Center. Standing is Joe Uyechi, kneeling is Yosh Uyechi with Donald Miyagi on his knee.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-23/

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Takeko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-3)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Takeko Miyagi. Takeko writes about how her brother just turned 7 months old, how she hopes her father enjoyed the postcards from her younger sisters Akiko and Yoko, and tells him about going to school.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-3/

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Takeko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-4)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Takeko Miyagi. Takeko writes about receiving candy from Yuhachi, how her sister, Akiko, was excited about the last telegram they received from him, and a watermelon the family bought.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-4/

img Block 54 Ladies (ddr-densho-416-18)

Photograph of the female residence of Block 54 in Poston. Identified individuals: Kame Nakamura- First row, 4th adult from the right; Kama Uyechi- First row, far right; Matsu Izumi- Middle row, far right; Taira Hana- Middle row 2nd from the right; Sonoko Miyagi- Back row, 6th from the left, holding Donald Miyagi.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-18/

img Rosie Uyeno and Donald Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-26)

Photograph of Rosie (Tamaki) Uyeno kneeling with Donald Miyagi outside at Poston Relocation Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-26/

img George and Donald Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-20)

Photograph of George Miyagi standing with Donald Miyagi outside.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-20/

img Woman and two children (ddr-densho-416-21)

Photograph of Kame Nakamura holding Donald Miyagi and Barbara Nishimura in her lap outside a barrack in Poston Relocation Center. Written on the back is "March 1943 Barbara is with the dress on" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-21/

img Donald Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-22)

Photograph of Donald Miyagi wearing pieces of Yosh Uyechi's miltary uniform.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-22/

img William Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-19)

Photograph of William Miyagi in uniform while visiting Poston Relocation Center. Written on the back is "1944" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-19/

img Donald Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-29)

Photograph of Donald Miyagi sitting on the ground. In the background camp barrecks are visible

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-29/

img William Miyagi and Taka Uyechi (ddr-densho-416-25)

Photograph of William Miyagi and Taka Uyechi in military uniform standing together while visiting Poston Relocation Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-25/

img Donald Miyagi held by mother (ddr-densho-416-28)

Photograph of Donald Miyagi being held by his mother Sonoko Miyagi who is standing with Yosh Uyechi at Poston Assembly Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-28/

doc Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from Yoko Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-1)

Postcard to Yuhachi Miyagi from his daughter Yoko Miyagi. Yoko writes about how her sister Akiko misses him and wants him to join the family soon. Yoko also writes about her her brother Donald stood up for the first time on July 1st. Per donor, this letter was written by the older sister Takeko (aged 9) …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-1/

img Children by sandbox (ddr-densho-379-707)

The caption in the photograph album reads "Sandbox". Todd Endo and friend Tonko in sandbox built by his father Aiji Endo at Rohwer Incarceration Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-707/

img Mothers and their babies from Block 7, Rohwer Relocation Center (ddr-densho-379-691)

The caption in the photograph album reads "Block 7 Babies". Rohwer Relocation Center Block 7 mothers and their babies.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-691/

img Sumida family portrait in front of barracks at Rohwer Relocation Center (ddr-densho-379-399)

The Sumida family (left to right), Chimata Sumida, Masako Sumida, Alice Yuriko Sumida Endo, Grace Sumida, Emmy Sumida Ito, Marshall Sumida, Tetsuro Sumida, Marjorie Yohko Sumida, with Todd Endo in the front.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-399/

img Rohwer Relocation Center barracks after snowfall (ddr-densho-379-669)

Rohwer Relocation Center barracks after snowfall

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-669/

img Todd Endo walking down road by barracks at Rohwer Relocation Center (ddr-densho-379-679)

One year old Todd Endo walking down road by barracks

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-679/

img Chimata Sumida holding his grandson (ddr-densho-379-668)

Chimata Sumida holding his first grandson, Todd Endo, in front of their barracks.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-668/

img Chimata and Masako Sumida family in front of barracks (ddr-densho-379-663)

The caption on the page of the photograph album is "Rohwer 1942".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-663/

img Family portrait (ddr-densho-379-734)

Family photo in front of their barracks: Chimata Sumida, Masako Sumida, Alice Yuriko Endo, Grace Sumida, Emmy Ito, Marshall Sumida, Tets Sumida, Marjorie Yohko Sumida, and Todd Endo (front)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-734/

img Emmy Sumida Ito in front of her barrack door at Amache Relocation Center (ddr-densho-379-683)

Written below the photograph "Hi family! Love Emmy 1-10-'43" Emmy Sumida Ito was incarcerated with her husband, Ken Ito, at Amache while the rest of her family was incarcerated at Rohwer.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-683/

img Rohwer Relocation Center barracks (ddr-densho-379-676)

Rohwer Relocation Center rows of barracks on either side of dirt road

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-676/

img Sumida and Shimidzu families (ddr-densho-379-666)

The caption on the page of the photograph album is "Rohwer 1942". Chimata Sumida and his family with sister Kimi Sumida Shimidzu and her family

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-666/