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

doc Nonfiction manuscript: "Road to Freedom" with submission letter and rejection letter (ddr-densho-468-158)

Manuscript of nonfiction narrative describing experience as Japanese-American seeking student leave from World War II incarceration. The manuscript incorporates letters to various college admission staff. Page one is a submission letter to the Yale Review. Page two is a rejection slip.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-158/

doc Educational Leave paperwork (ddr-densho-468-127)

Certification and other paperwork authorizing Joseph Ishikawa to leave the Granada Relocation Area to attend school at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-127/

doc When you leave the relocation center (ddr-densho-468-130)

Manual of policies for Japanese Americans leaving camp

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-468-130/

doc A.D. 1977: Japanese Christians in America: The Church That Survives Hate (ddr-densho-446-394)

Article in the July/August 1977 issue of A.D. 1977 on the experience of Japanese Christians in America through the end of WWII.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-446-394/

doc Minidoka Remembered 2003 (ddr-densho-449-2)

75 pages of people reflecting and remembering the 3 day event of Minidoka Remembered in 2003 where more than 1000 people participated. This book has images of folks who attended the event.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-449-2/

img Chidori band (ddr-densho-471-166)

The Chidori band pose for a group photograph while holding their instruments. Note from donor: "Chidori band 1945 Tule Lake".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-471-166/

img Tule Lake Shigin group (ddr-densho-471-165)

The Tule Lake Shingin group pose for a group photograph. Note from donor: "Tule Lake 1945 Shigin group".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-471-165/

img Two girls standing in front of barracks (ddr-densho-292-1)

Caption on reverse: "Topaz, Utah. Shigeko Omori on left, Mary Kaibe, right 17 years. 1943? Nishioka family residence Block 31A, family # 20752."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-292-1/

img Women and child on bench (ddr-densho-379-725)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-725/

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 WRA Camp office (ddr-densho-379-629)

Frank Aiji Endo is sitting on right side behind the desk. The stamp on the back of the photograph reads "Credit Line War Relocation Authority photo no. 210-G-12E-387 in the National Archives".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-629/

img Group Photo of Block 7 of Rohwer Relocation Center (ddr-densho-379-736)

Group Photo of Block 7 of Rohwer Relocation Center; label: "Note: Service Place"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-736/

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 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 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 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/

img Sumida and Shimidzu family portrait (ddr-densho-379-406)

The Sumida and Shimidzu families pose outside at Rohwer Relocation Center.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-379-406/

doc Letter from Bill Taketa to Mr. James Waegell, October 17, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2339)

Correspondence from Bill Taketa to Mr. James Waegell regarding the receipt of candies, outside football competition, and the weather. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2445

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2339/

doc Tabulation of news clippings, March 15 to April 30, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-343)

List of news articles related to the Japanese American incarceration published between March 15 and April 30, 1945. List includes description of the article, number of clippings, and newspapers. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0345

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-343/