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 (231)
Concentration camps (1434)

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1434 items

img Goto family (ddr-densho-357-751)

Hanako Terakawa's caption: "Doris and Norma Goto, Poston Arizona Camp."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-751/

img Yoshioka family in Topaz (ddr-densho-357-733)

Private Masaru Yoshioka visits his parents in the camp in Topaz, Utah. Left to right: Yoni Yoshioka, Masaru Yoshioka, Tadaichi Yoshioka.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-357-733/

img Woman poses on barrack steps (ddr-densho-363-10)

Kimi Kuwahara in front of barracks.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-10/

img Woman poses near barracks (ddr-densho-363-12)

Kimi Kuwahara poses for a photograph near the barracks at Heart Mountain concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-12/

img Siblings pose in front of barracks (ddr-densho-363-25)

Kimi and Keso Kuwahara pose in front of barracks at Heart Mountain. The caption on the front of the photograph reads "Me + Keso 1944".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-25/

img Summer hike (ddr-densho-363-11)

A group poses for a photograph on a summer hike from Heart Mountain. Front row (left to right): Asano Marutama, Kiyo, Kimiko, Nancy Oyama, Hatsuye Shimizu; Back row: Mr. Yamamoto, Kimi Kuwahara, Tomi Ichida, Toshiko

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-11/

img Group visiting Cody, Wyoming (ddr-densho-363-18)

Tomiye, Ichida, Hatsuye Shimizu, and Kimi Kuwahara pose for a photograph in Cody, Wyoming.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-18/

img Group photograph (ddr-densho-363-20)

A group poses in a field. The caption written on the bottom of the photograph identifies the group from left to right: Mary, Tamony, Kimi Kuwahara, Chiyeko, Nancy Oyama, Joanne Kuwahara, Nakamura, Taddy, Kimi Uchida, Toshiko, Tsuyuki, Hatsuye Shimizu, and Unidentified man.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-20/

img Sitting on barracks steps (ddr-densho-363-23)

Suemi Kuwahara and her daughter, Joanne, sit on barracks steps at Heart Mountain. Caption on the front of the photograph reads "Mom and Joanne".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-23/

img Woman sitting on rock (ddr-densho-363-15)

Tsuyako Sugimoto from El Monte California at Heart Mountain.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-15/

img Eiko Hibiya poses with a seated man and two children (ddr-densho-381-184)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-184/

doc Takami Hibiya's translation notes for Chuzaburo Ito's personal history (ddr-densho-381-167)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-381-167/

doc Minidoka Interlude 1942-1943 (ddr-densho-413-1)

September, 1942 - October, 1943 edition of the Minidoka Interlude. A camp year book that includes identified group photographs of each block, and various employment divisions and recreational activities at Minidoka Relocation Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-413-1/

img Donald Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-24)

Photograph of Donald Miyagi standing outside.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-24/

img Donald Miyagi (ddr-densho-416-27)

Photograph of Donald Miyagi crouching next to a bicycle at Poston Assembly Center. Written on the back in pencil is Miyagi Donald in Japanese.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-416-27/

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/