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 (283)
Concentration camps (2384)

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2384 items

img Four woman at Amache (ddr-one-6-10)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-one-6-10/

av We the People (ddr-densho-1024-121)

In cooperation with the California Museum, the seven part series (which here appears as one video) was designed as an educational tool for the purpose of teaching what had happened to Japanese Americans during WWII. The series includes interviews with those who had been in the camps as children, along with historical research, photos and summary. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-121/

doc Letter from Koby to Kim Fujii (ddr-densho-433-9)

Koby, who refers to himself "the jerk" and "Joe College," writes to Kim Fujii about complaints he has about a woman he calls "the ship," his recreational activities, a recent date he went on, and his draft status.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-9/

img Two toddlers at Topaz (ddr-densho-433-999)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-999/

doc Letter from Hank to Keizie Fujii (ddr-densho-433-20)

Hank writes to Keizie (Kimiko) Fujii about the people they know who have died during the war, people leaving the concentration camp, and his educational aspirations. He also asks if she's seen Hattie Kawahara's essay, " I am an American," in Mademoiselle's college issue.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-20/

img Woman and two children (ddr-densho-433-1000)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-1000/

img Fujii family at Topaz (ddr-densho-433-1246)

From left to right: Kenji, Rutaro, Katsu, Hanako, Kimiko. Duplicate photocopy at ddr-densho-433-1274.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-1246/

doc Letter from Kanui to Kimi Fujii (ddr-densho-433-18)

Kanui writes to Kimi Fujii about bad advice Lorraine has given her, updates on her work at the bindery, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-18/

doc Gem of Songs (ddr-densho-433-277)

A collection of songs compiled and published by the Butte Young Buddhist Association at the Gila River concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-277/

img Fujii family at Topaz (ddr-densho-433-1274)

From left to right: Kenji, Rutaro, Katsu, Hanako, Kimiko. Duplicate photocopy of ddr-densho-433-1246.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-1274/

doc Letter from Hank to Keizie Fujii (ddr-densho-433-29)

Hank writes to Keizie (Kimiko) Fujii with updates on his grades and friends.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-29/

doc Letter from Koby to Kim Fujii (ddr-densho-433-3)

Koby, who refers to himself as "that jerk" and "Joe College," writes to Kim Fujii about work, college, and women.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-3/

img Women and children at Topaz (ddr-densho-433-998)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-998/

doc Letter from R. Fujii to Kimiko Fujii (ddr-densho-433-8)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-8/

img Camp mess hall (ddr-densho-1007-683)

Slide, created in September 1984. Image date unknown.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-683/

av Interview with Clarence Matsumura, part 5 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1773)

Matsumura discusses being discharged from the military, moving to Minneapolis, working for Lew Bonn Company, attending the University of Minnesota, being ordered to report for duty in 1949, his difficulty talking about Dachau, his thoughts on war and America's role in international politics, the importance of fighting for what is right, his efforts against discrimination at …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1773/

av Interview with Frank Emi, part 1 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1792)

Emi discusses resisting the draft, the difference between Nisei and Caucasians, Issei attitudes toward the draft, the attitudes of draft resisters, Heart Mountain as a "model" relocation camp, being arrested in camp by the FBI, awaiting trial in jail in Cheyenne and Laramie (in WY), his family's thoughts on him resisting the draft, and a fellow …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1792/

av Interview with Harry Fukuhara, part 3 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1634)

Fukuhara discusses his relationship with the Mount family, his time in the Gila internment camp, volunteering for the military from camp, his time in military language school, and the possibility of being captured by the Japanese military. Video ends at 19:49. Original title: 119, II SJ #25, 8-17-85, Fukuhara, Harry's house. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1635/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1634/

doc Evacuation claims settlement (ddr-densho-1007-893)

Awarded to Karl Yoneda. Only a small portion of the claim was fulfilled.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-893/

av Interview with Kazuko Iijima, part 3 of 4 (ddr-densho-1007-1533)

Iijima discusses the 442nd, mentions volunteers from Topaz and Fred Korematsu. Also discusses her husband, who she married in camp and who later joined the 442nd. Video starts at 0:56. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 38, II NY #17, 6-85, Kazuko Iijima. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1534/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1533/

av Interview with Harry and Ken Akune, part 2 of 6 (ddr-densho-1007-1590)

Ken is on the left, Harry on the right. The two discuss growing up as Nisei, anti-Japanese sentiment in the US, their relationship with their mother, the difference between Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans, Pearl Harbor, their time in internment at Merced and Amache, and their decision to volunteer for the military. Video starts at 0:28. …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1590/

av San Francisco Courthouse footage, part 7 of 10; interview with Dale Minami and Karen Kai, part 3 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1628)

Sansei lawyers Karen Kai and Dale Minami discuss the stakes of the Korematsu case, why redress legislation took so long, the difficulty camp survivors had talking about their experiences, and the role of Sansei in the fight for redress. Video starts at 0:43. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 107, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1628/

av Interview with John Aiso, part 5 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1578)

Aiso discusses loyalty to the US, his family's internment at Manzanar, his (and the Nisei's in general) response to Pearl Harbor, and his role in the military. Video starts at 0:26. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Interview ends at 18:30; rest of tape is b-roll of Aiso reading. Original title: 75, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1578/

av Interview with Yukio Kawamoto, part 3 of 8 (ddr-densho-1007-1547)

Kawamoto discusses serving in the MIS while his parents were interned, draft resistance, and his attitude toward the US during the war. Video starts at 0:56. Loni Ding can be heard asking questions behind the camera. Original title: 99, II NY #31, Channel #1 Audio Kawamoto. Interview continues at ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1548/

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1547/

av Interview with Nobuo Yamashita, part 4 of 5 (ddr-densho-1007-1779)

Yamashita discusses helping prisoners of war avoid execution, the execution of General Yamashita, how he dealt with the more difficult parts of service, the difference between the Japanese soldiers he fought in New Guinea and the Philippines, why he didn't want to serve in Japan during the occupation, staying in contact with his family in Manzanar …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1007-1779/