Religion

Japanese Americans used religion as one way to handle the stress of the incarceration experience. Church served as both a spiritual comfort and a place for community gatherings. On Sundays, Buddhist and Christian services and Sunday schools were held in the recreation halls. State Shintoism was another popular religion within the Japanese American community but was banned by the U.S. government on the grounds that it included "Emperor worship." Church services initially were given in both Japanese and English, but camp authorities later banned the use of Japanese at all group gatherings (although translation into Japanese was later permitted at some religious services).

World War II (283)
Concentration camps (2078)
Religion (282)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Paul M. Nagano

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282 items
Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, April 2, 1943 (ddr-densho-432-15)
doc Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, April 2, 1943 (ddr-densho-432-15)
This letter discusses life at Rohwer concentration camp. Matsuye Koike received the letter while imprisoned at Fort Missoula, MT. The letter was "detained alien enemy mail examined."
Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, November 5, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-8)
doc Letter from Ruth Yamada to Matsuye Koike, November 5, 1942 (ddr-densho-432-8)
This letter discusses life at Rohwer concentration camp, including discussion of the social activities, religion, and logging Social and recreational activities|id:63. Matsuye Koike received the letter while imprisoned at Fort Lincoln, Bismark, ND. The letter was "detained alien enemy mail examined."
Tule Lake Directory and Camp News (ddr-densho-520-1)
doc Tule Lake Directory and Camp News (ddr-densho-520-1)
A book complied by Harry Inukai and published in May 1988. It includes a directory of Tule Lake concentration camp between May 1942 through September 1943 including barrack addresses. The second half of the book includes camp news in the following categories: Shows and Entertainment, Social Highlights, Vital Statistics, Departures, Arrivals and Transfers, Service News, Farm …
70th Anniversary of the Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-474-53)
doc 70th Anniversary of the Japanese Congregational Church (ddr-densho-474-53)
The Japanese Congregational Church's 70th Anniversary book traces the history of JCC within the context of national and local events.
Funeral for Meiko Kurakusu (ddr-densho-37-2093)
img Funeral for Meiko Kurakusu (ddr-densho-37-2093)
Included annotation: X-1003, Meiko Kurakusu funeral, 8/2/45.
Camp Catholic church (ddr-densho-37-826)
img Camp Catholic church (ddr-densho-37-826)
Original WRA caption: Poston, Arizona. Children and their parents who once attended the Catholic Church of Father Clement, Maryknoll Priest, are now reestablished in homes back in California or throughout the Middle West and the East. Units II and III of the Colorado River Relocation Center, Poston, Arizona, meet their scheduled closings ahead of the deadline. …
Mourners at Meiko Kurakusu's funeral (ddr-densho-37-2092)
img Mourners at Meiko Kurakusu's funeral (ddr-densho-37-2092)
Included annotation: X-1002, Meiko Kurakusu funeral, 8/2/45.
Flowers at Pvt. Minoru Geto's memorial (ddr-densho-37-2015)
img Flowers at Pvt. Minoru Geto's memorial (ddr-densho-37-2015)
Included annotation: F-1008, Pvt. Minoru Geto - Memorial Service 5/13/45.
Mourners at Pvt. Minoru Ishida's memorial (ddr-densho-37-2008)
img Mourners at Pvt. Minoru Ishida's memorial (ddr-densho-37-2008)
Included annotation: E-1002, Pvt Minoru "Ouious" Ishida - Memorial Service, held - May 11-1945.
First Communion class (ddr-densho-37-684)
img First Communion class (ddr-densho-37-684)
Original WRA caption: First Communion class of Catholic Church at Minidoka Relocation Center, Hunt, Idaho. The Rev. L.H. Tibesar, Maryknoll Missionary, is pastor. The nuns are Maryknoll sisters from the Maryknoll Mission in Seattle where the Maryknoll group numbered 1000 Japanese Catholics and non-Catholics before evacuation.
Standing mourners at Pvt. Minoru Ishida's memorial (ddr-densho-37-2009)
img Standing mourners at Pvt. Minoru Ishida's memorial (ddr-densho-37-2009)
Included annotation: E-1003, Pvt Minoru "Ouious" Ishida - Memorial Service, held - May 11-1945, Pvt Min Ishida left with the first group of Inductees, May-1944.
First Communion class (ddr-densho-37-683)
img First Communion class (ddr-densho-37-683)
Original WRA caption: First Communion class of Catholic Church at Minidoka Relocation Center, Hunt, Idaho. The Rev. L.H. Tibesar, Maryknoll Missionary, is pastor. The nuns are Maryknoll sisters from the Maryknoll Mission in Seattle where the Maryknoll group numbered 1000 Japanese Catholics and non-Catholics before evacuation.
Memorial service for Pvt. Minoru Geto (ddr-densho-37-2014)
img Memorial service for Pvt. Minoru Geto (ddr-densho-37-2014)
Included annotation: F-1007, Pvt. Minoru Geto - Memorial Service 5/13/45.
Funeral for Meiko Kurakusu (ddr-densho-37-2091)
img Funeral for Meiko Kurakusu (ddr-densho-37-2091)
Included annotation: X-1001, Meiko Kurakusu funeral, 8/2/45.
Memorial for Pvt. Minoru Ishida (ddr-densho-37-2007)
img Memorial for Pvt. Minoru Ishida (ddr-densho-37-2007)
Included annotation: E-1001, Pvt Minoru "Ouious" Ishida - Memorial Service, held - May 11-1945.
Funeral service (ddr-densho-37-675)
img Funeral service (ddr-densho-37-675)
Original WRA caption: Reverend L.H. Tibesar, Maryknoll missionary assigned to work with the Catholic group at the Minidoka Relocation Center, conducts a grave side service at the little cemetery cleared out of the sage land adjacent to Minidoka Relocation Center, Hunt, Idaho.
Group in camp's Catholic church (ddr-densho-37-685)
img Group in camp's Catholic church (ddr-densho-37-685)
Original WRA caption: The Most Reverend Edward J. Kelley, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Boise, Idaho, visited the Catholic church at the Minidoka Relocation Center, Hunt, Idaho, on October 19 to conduct confirmation services for this class of children and adults. The Reverend L.H. Tibesar, Maryknoll missionary, who is pastor of the Hunt church, is …
Dedication ceremony (ddr-densho-37-564)
img Dedication ceremony (ddr-densho-37-564)
Original WRA caption: Topaz, Utah. With a fervent prayer, this Japanese Topaz resident, a Christian Minister, opens the dedication ceremonies at the Relocation Center at Topaz.
Thanksgiving day religious service (ddr-densho-37-788)
img Thanksgiving day religious service (ddr-densho-37-788)
Original WRA caption: Gila River Relocation Center, Rivers, Arizona. Sunrise Services (Christian) were held at this center Thanksgiving day.
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