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 (231)
Concentration camps (1454)
Living conditions (1770)

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

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1770 items
Letter from Tomoye to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-190)
doc Letter from Tomoye to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-190)
Glad he got a job, but sorry it isn't a pleasant place to work, glad he will be able to come in July when baby is born, news of people leaving camp.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-190/
Letter from Marian Stiffen to Tommie (Tomoye Takahashi), letter from Tomoye (Nozawa) Takahashi to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-404)
doc Letter from Marian Stiffen to Tommie (Tomoye Takahashi), letter from Tomoye (Nozawa) Takahashi to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-404)
Two letters together in same envelope. Letter one related to finding housing in San Francisco. The second with news of life in camp, plans for leaving, and details about the house in San Francisco. Envelope dated February 23, 1945
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-404/
Card from Tomoye to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-188)
doc Card from Tomoye to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-188)
Will need someone to help when the baby is born, a friend's baby died after a fall in camp, needs money.
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-188/
Letter from Tomoye Takahashi to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-416)
doc Letter from Tomoye Takahashi to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-416)
Asks about other properties to buy in San Francisco, questions about how things are there, news of Pinkie, cold weather at camp and how the pregnancy is going
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-416/
Card from Tomoye to Helen Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-130)
doc Card from Tomoye to Helen Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-130)
Thanking her for package
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-130/
Letter from Tomoye Takahashi to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-401)
doc Letter from Tomoye Takahashi to Henri Takahashi (ddr-densho-410-401)
Asking for Henri to send various items such as corn chips, cigars, material. News of other incarcerees leaving
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-401/
Block 207 log (December 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1194)
doc Block 207 log (December 26, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1194)
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-55-1194/
Block 207 log (December 1, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1169)
doc Block 207 log (December 1, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1169)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, 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 situation." See this object in …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1169/
Block 207 log (January 8, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1206)
doc Block 207 log (January 8, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1206)
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_1208
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1206/
Letter from Bill Taketa to Mr. James Waegell, October 17, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2339)
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/
Memo from William M. Friedman, Chairman, Heart Mountain City Planning Board, to Guy Robertson, et al. January 15, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-673)
doc Memo from William M. Friedman, Chairman, Heart Mountain City Planning Board, to Guy Robertson, et al. January 15, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-673)
Memorandum of understanding from William Friedman to incarcerees regarding a public hearing on the proposed location of livestock at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0675
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-673/
Block 207 log (November 13, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1152)
doc Block 207 log (November 13, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1152)
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-55-1152/
Newell star, vo. 1, no. 30 (September 21, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-1971)
doc Newell star, vo. 1, no. 30 (September 21, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-1971)
Newsletter published at Tule Lake incarceration camp. Covers news, events, community activities, job openings, sports, and schedule of church services. Includes English and Japanese. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook, page 18. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1974
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1971/
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 16, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-317)
doc Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting, November 16, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-317)
Minutes from the Heart Mountain Block Chairmen meeting. Includes discussion on Crafting Committee, education, clothing allowances, Engei-bu Committee, and school construction. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0319
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-317/
Directory Block 29 (ddr-csujad-55-738)
doc Directory Block 29 (ddr-csujad-55-738)
Directory of incarcerees in Block 29 at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. List is in alphabetical order by last name and includes "uses #" and address. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0740
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-738/
Block 207 log (September 24, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1110)
doc Block 207 log (September 24, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1110)
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_1112
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1110/
Housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1366)
img Housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1366)
Scrapbook page containing six black and white photographs depicting barracks and housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. One photograph shows five unidentified Caucasian children. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 37. 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-55-1366/
Block 207 log (November 11, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1150)
doc Block 207 log (November 11, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1150)
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_1152
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1150/
Inside some of the homes (ddr-csujad-55-1370)
img Inside some of the homes (ddr-csujad-55-1370)
Scrapbook page containing five black and white photographs of the interiors of barracks at the Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes a photograph of a group of three individuals (most likely internees). Title from caption. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 41. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1370/
Block 207 log (October 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1124)
doc Block 207 log (October 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1124)
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_1126
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1124/
Block 207 log (January 9, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1207)
doc Block 207 log (January 9, 1943) (ddr-csujad-55-1207)
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_1209
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1207/
Block 207 log (December 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1178)
doc Block 207 log (December 10, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1178)
Recording log submitted by Kazuo Kushida, a manager, 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 situation."" See this object in …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1178/
Greenery, roads, and walks being built by housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1367)
img Greenery, roads, and walks being built by housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp (ddr-csujad-55-1367)
Scrapbook page containing six black and white photographs depicting barracks and housing at Crystal City Department of Justice Internment Camp. Includes images of three unidentified Japanese children and two unidentified individuals. From the Mary F. Clark scrapbook, "Before I Forget, 1942-1947," page 38. See also sac_jaac_1334 through sac_jaac_1529. See this object in the California State Universities …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1367/
War ration book no. 3, OPA form no. R-130, Aie Yokota (ddr-csujad-55-220)
doc War ration book no. 3, OPA form no. R-130, Aie Yokota (ddr-csujad-55-220)
Booklet of war ration stamps belonging to Aie Yokota incarcerated in Tule Lake camp. OPA Form No. R-130. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0222
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-220/
Block 207 log (September 15, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1102)
doc Block 207 log (September 15, 1942) (ddr-csujad-55-1102)
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 a situation involving lumber. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American …
https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1102/
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