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 James Komoto and friends beside the Shoshone River (ddr-densho-463-50)

Similar to ddr-densho-463-49 which identifies the group as: Me [James Komoto], [indecipherable], Naki, Marsh, Kay, Jes, Harry, Tuck, Ben [indecipherable]. Written beside photograph on scrapbook page: Country Club in a [sic] another pose, a bunch of [indecipherable] in the bunch.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-50/

img James Komoto and friends (ddr-densho-463-137)

Written beside photograph on scrapbook page: Me [James Komoto], Ted [likely Ted Komoto], Shoji [Ichikawa], Bob, George [likely George Komoto], Kuni [Huiga], Harry, Sam, Hiram; "could it be all that amusing."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-137/

img Aya Kinoshita and Chiyo Suzuki in Block 17 (ddr-densho-463-18)

Written beside photograph on scrapbook page: Miss Aya Kinoshita, Miss Chiyo Suzuki, Taken in Block 17, March 1945.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-18/

img Man standing outside barracks (ddr-densho-463-29)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-29/

img Woman standing beside a barrack (ddr-densho-463-10)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-10/

img Woman playing basketball (ddr-densho-463-100)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-100/

img Harry takes a photograph (ddr-densho-463-32)

Harry, likely Pvt. Harry Taketa, wearing a military uniform holds a camera to his eye. Written beside photograph on scrapbook page, partially obscured: Harry, "Up to his old trick," ...aught in Feb 1944, ... at the depot.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-32/

img Young Nisei men in a concentration camp (ddr-densho-5-12)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-5-12/

img Japanese American in front of barrack (ddr-densho-5-11)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-5-11/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-40)

Slightly yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked October 19, 1942. Along the top 10-23-1942 is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp. Inside the envelope is a letter dated October 17, 1942. Teru writes about …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-40/

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 Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Eva Koyama (ddr-one-5-38)

Letter dated Oct 5, 1942, to Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from his daughter, Eva Koyama. In the letter Eva writes about life at Minidoka: Shin came to visit, school is starting soon, Mr. Mita's funeral, lunch, and Girl Scouts. Eva sends her regards to Dr. Tanaka and Mr. Ikeya.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-38/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Yoshi Sato (ddr-one-5-42)

Envelope addressed to Mr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from Yoshio Sato at Minidoka. Postmarked November 11, 1942. In red pencil “Dec 15, 42” is written. Along the right edge of the envelope is a white sticker, on the back side of the envelope it reads "U.S.A. 269." Inside the envelope is a letter dated Nov. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-42/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Miriam Koyama (ddr-one-5-37)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, and daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama. Postmarked October 6, 1942. To the left of the postmark “Oct 11, 1942,” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp from Camp Livingston. Inside the envelope are …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-37/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-57)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Santa Fe Dentention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama. Postmarked Jun 17, 1943. In red pencil “6/23/43” is written above the address. Inside is a letter about a recent trip to Idaho Falls for shopping. Teru bought some fabric to make some new dresses and she bought new glasses …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-57/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-47)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, in Minidoka. Postmarked Mar 8, 1943. In red pencil “Mar 19,1943” is written next to the postmark. In the upper right corner “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in black ink. Along the left edge of the envelope is clear tape that …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-47/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from William Koyama (ddr-one-5-39)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his son William Koyama at Minidoka. Postmarked Oct 7, 1942. In red pencil “Oct. 10, 1942” is written below the postmark. On the front of the envelope is a purple stamp that reads “Censored/Camp Livingston/Interment Camp.” Inside is a letter, dated October 5, 1942. William writes …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-39/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-45)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Dec 8, 1942. There is clear tape along the whole left edge. Japanese is written on the left side of the envelope. On the back of the envelope is a purple "RECEIVED" stamp with the date Jan 24, 1943. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-45/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama and Eva Koyama (ddr-one-5-19)

Yellowed envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama in Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, in the Portland Assembly Center. The envelope is postmarked Jul 13, 1942. In red pencil “7/16-42” is written just below the postmark. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "CENSORED" stamp with unknown initials below the stamp in …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-19/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-35)

Front of one cent postcard is addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Oct. 1942 over a six cent airmail stamp. On the left side of the front of the postcard is a purple "Censored" stamp. The message on the back of the postcard is dated Sept. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-35/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-72)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at the Santa Fe Detention Station from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Oct 4, 1943. In the upper right corner “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in place of a stamp. The numbers “10-8-43” are written along the top of the envelope in red pencil. Inside is a …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-72/

doc Envelope and letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Miriam Kiyo Koyama (ddr-one-5-52)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his daughter, Miriam Kiyo Koyama, at Minidoka. In place of postage “Internee of War/Free Mail” is written in the upper right hand corner. Postmarked Apr. 18, 1943. In the upper center of the envelope “4/30-43” is written in red pencil. Along the left edge of the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-52/

doc Envelope and letters to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Miriam Kiyo Koyama and William Koyama (ddr-one-5-28)

Envelope addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his children, William Koyama and Miriam Kiyo Koyama, at Minidoka. Postmarked Sep 11, 1942. To the left of the postmark “Sept 14, 42” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the envelope is a purple "Censored" stamp. Inside the envelope are two letters, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-28/

doc Postcard to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-29)

One cent postcard addressed to Dr. Keizaburo Koyama at Camp Livingston from his wife, Teru Koyama, at Minidoka. The return sender information has both a mailing and telegram address listed. Postmarked Sep. 15, 1942. Below the postmark “9/20/42” is written in red pencil. On the left side of the postcard is a purple "Censored" stamp. The …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-29/

doc Letter to Dr. Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from Teru Koyama (ddr-one-5-69)

Letter to Keizaburo "Kei" Koyama from his wife, Teru Koyama, dated Sept. 1, 1943. In the upper left corner is an "EXAMINED" stamp. The letter is brown and has a water stain along the right side. In the letter Teru updates Kei on their friends' situations in Minidoka: several had children leave for jobs outside or …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-5-69/