1. Topics

Living conditions

All of the camps were constructed according to the War Department's specifications, which included barbed-wire fences, guard towers, and armed guards around the perimeter. The camps were organized in "blocks" consisting of twelve to fourteen barracks, a mess hall, communal showers and toilets, laundry facilities, and a recreation hall. Each barracks was divided into four or six rooms with each room housing one family, no matter how large, and there was no running water. The furnishings that Japanese Americans found on their arrival were canvas cots, a potbellied stove, and a single bare light bulb. The thin walls offered little protection from the harsh weather, which ranged from 110 degrees in the summer to 25 degrees below zero on winter nights. The flimsy construction allowed no privacy and made normal family life difficult. Camp inmates improved their own living conditions by creating interior walls and partitions, constructing furniture from scrap lumber, and planting gardens.

World War II (283)
Concentration camps (2384)
Living conditions (1897)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Arts and crafts in camp, Community analysts, Manzanar Children's Village

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1897 items
Lil Dan'l: one year in a relocation center (ddr-csujad-55-341)
img Lil Dan'l: one year in a relocation center (ddr-csujad-55-341)
Comic strip depicting the life of a fictional character, Lil Daniel, at Rohwer incarceration camp. Covers topics related to everyday life at an incarceration camp including arrival, clothing allowances, facilities, sports, holidays, seasons, gardening, and leisure activities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0343
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-341/
Block 207 log (December 12, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1180)
doc Block 207 log (December 12, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1180)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, and Mabel Okino, a secretary, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief comments on the "Camp 1 …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1180/
Block 207 log (January 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1199)
doc Block 207 log (January 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1199)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1201
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1199/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, October 27, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-302)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, October 27, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-302)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion of a night coal crew, disaster relief services, and winter clothing allowances. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0304
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-302/
Housing assignment (ddr-csujad-55-2381)
doc Housing assignment (ddr-csujad-55-2381)
Housing assignment for the Nakamura family, probably at Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2487
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2381/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting, November 30, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-495)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting, November 30, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-495)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Community Council meeting. Includes discussion on clothing allowances, subcommittee reports, and personal property. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0497
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-495/
Photograph of the Jerome camp in Denson, Arkansas (ddr-csujad-55-2643)
img Photograph of the Jerome camp in Denson, Arkansas (ddr-csujad-55-2643)
Photograph of the Jerome camp in Denson, Arkansas, 1943. See also sac_jaac_2808 for envelope. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2807
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2643/
Tule Lake at night (ddr-csujad-55-1300)
img Tule Lake at night (ddr-csujad-55-1300)
Panoramic black and white photograph of the Tule Lake incarceration camp at night. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1302
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1300/
Block 207 log (September 11, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1099)
doc Block 207 log (September 11, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1099)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief remarks on conditions in the barracks. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1099/
Block 207 log (October 2, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1117)
doc Block 207 log (October 2, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1117)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes remarks about the lack of mess halls for workers and generally poor conditions in the barracks. See …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1117/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 17, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-318)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 17, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-318)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on clothing allowances, Drafting Committee, Fair Practice Committee, and indefinite leave. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0320
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-318/
Block 207 log (October 29, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1139)
doc Block 207 log (October 29, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1139)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, and May Taketaya, a secretary, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief remarks on the lack of …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1139/
Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-734)
doc Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-734)
Form for the Maintenance Division to replace equipment in Block 12 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. Signed by acting manager, Shoji Nagumo. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0736
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-734/
Truth about Jap camps (ddr-csujad-55-336)
doc Truth about Jap camps (ddr-csujad-55-336)
Article describing the author's opposition to the incarceration of Japanese during World War II. She describes her visit to Poston incarceration camp including the living conditions, amenities, governance, jobs, labor, and wages. Reprinted from Liberty magazine. Includes photographs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0338
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-336/
Letter from Kenneth Hori to George, December 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-2547)
doc Letter from Kenneth Hori to George, December 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-2547)
Correspondence from Kenneth Hori to George regarding the weather, school, southern accents, and rationing (i.e. gasoline and cards). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2654
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2547/
Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-960)
doc Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-960)
Requisition form for the replacement of window glass for Block 12 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0962
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-960/
Block 207 log (October 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1136)
doc Block 207 log (October 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1136)
Recording log submitted by May Taketaya, a secretary, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1136/
Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-958)
doc Block 12 requisition to Maintenance Dept. (ddr-csujad-55-958)
Requisition form for supplies for Block 12 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0960
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-958/
War ration book one, OPA form no. R-302, Donna Miyeko Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2453)
doc War ration book one, OPA form no. R-302, Donna Miyeko Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2453)
Booklet of war ration stamps belonging to Donna Miyeko Nakamura during World War II. OPA Form No. R-302. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2559
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2453/
Block 207 log (September 14, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1101)
doc Block 207 log (September 14, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1101)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1103
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1101/
Block 207 log (February 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1229)
doc Block 207 log (February 1, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1229)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1231
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1229/
Block 207 log (November 21, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1159)
doc Block 207 log (November 21, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1159)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, and Mabel Okino, a secretary, covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. See this object in the California State …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1159/
Tule Lake: at this segregation center are 18,000 Japanese considered disloyal to U.S. (ddr-csujad-55-2502)
doc Tule Lake: at this segregation center are 18,000 Japanese considered disloyal to U.S. (ddr-csujad-55-2502)
Pictorial report published in "Life Magazine" detailing life and living conditions in Tule Lake incarceration camp. Covers segregation, facilities, co-ops, administration, and daily life in the incarceration camp.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2502/
Block 207 log (September 17, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1104)
doc Block 207 log (September 17, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1104)
Recording log covering daily activities and events in Block 207 at Poston II incarceration camp. Includes the following topics: I. Staff, II. Block Activities, III. Emergencies, IV. Visitors, V. Memorandums, VI. Remarks, VII. Miscellaneous, and VIII. Managers Notes. Includes brief remarks on the need for directional signage in the woods. See this object in the California …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1104/
Commentary about hardships of working at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1392)
doc Commentary about hardships of working at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1392)
Scrapbook page containing commentary by Clark regarding hardships at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. See sac_jaac_1395 through sac_jaac_1401 for hardships referred to by the author. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 60. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1392/
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