Camp pilgrimages
Annual pilgrimages to the sites of former camps have become important events in the Japanese American community. They are an opportunity for former camp inmates to visit places that dramatically affected their lives, as well as a way for younger generations to learn the history of the Japanese American incarceration. Often the pilgrimages last for a few days and include workshops, tours of the former campsites, and memorial services to honor those who died while incarcerated.
Reflections on the past
(813)
Camp pilgrimages
(293)
Related articles from the
Densho Encyclopedia :
Camp pilgrimages,
Sue Kunitomi Embrey,
Warren Furutani
293 items
293 items

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Letter from Michi Weglyn to Frank Chin, December 07, 1978 (ddr-csujad-24-58)
A letter from Michi Weglyn to Frank Chin in which she discusses an incarceration camp pilgrimage and a JACL conference. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_03_001

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Letter to Michi Weglyn from unknown author (ddr-csujad-24-48)
A letter to Michi Weglyn possibly from Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga about the effect of Weglyn's book "Years of Infamy" on Jack Herzig, and Herzig's conversations with General Bendetsen about the Manzanar Pilgrimage. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_02_007

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Gila River 50th reunion and dedication (ddr-csujad-42-182)
An envelope for Yoneko Takano, who is an attendant of the Gila River 50th reunion and dedication events held at Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona, March 17-19, 1995. The envelope has presumably contained a booklet, bus tickets, and a T-shirt, handed to Yoneko Takano during the events. See this object in the California State Universities …

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Gila River Relocation Center 1942-1945 monument dedication 50th reunion (ddr-csujad-42-181)
A booklet to commemorate the 50th reunion of the former incarcrees and families of the Gila River incarceration camp, which was held March 17-19, 1995. Another booklet, "Banquet program," is attached. The former incacerees' current addresses and phone numbers are removed from the digital surrogate. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …

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Crowd stands near a memorial monument at Manzanar (ddr-csujad-52-17)
A crowd of people stand near a memorial monument at Manzanar Cemetery. The caption below the image reads, "LONGE PINE, Calif. April 30, 1988 -- MANZANAR REUNION -- Rev. Pual Nakamura performs a flower offering to a memorial at the Manzanar Cemetery Saturday during the annual pilgrimage to the former internment camp." See this object in …

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Hana Tada leading a group of Japanese Americans in singing "God Bless America" at a service in 1984 (ddr-csujad-52-36)
Caption above image reads, "GOD BLESS AMERICA--Hana Tada, 93, (center) leads group of Japanese-Americans in singing 'God Bless America' at a service here 2/19 commemorating the internment of them & 3,600 other Japanese-Americans in camps here during WWII. Tada & her group do not speak English, saying they were too busy making livings as farmers to …

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Students eat lunch in front of a monument at Manzanar (ddr-csujad-52-12)
Six people sit on the ground eating from white bags in front of a monument. Snow covered mountains can be seen in the distance. The caption under the photo reads, "Manzanar, Ca.--(Slugged Manzanar)--Students from the University of California Riverside, all members of 'The Historian as Detective' class, eat lunch in front of a monument to the …

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Poston II: 50 year reunion, October 5, 6, 7, 1992 (ddr-csujad-55-2690)
Pamphlet of Poston II reunion. Provides memories and photographs during incarceration at Poston camp. Dedicated the Poston memorial monument to reaffirm their conviction and to ensure that the constitutional right of all Americans is very sacred and the tragic events of 1942-1945 will never again be repeated. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

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Mountain south of Tule Lake (ddr-csujad-55-1595)
Color photograph depicting the mountains (most likely Castle Rock) south of Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1597

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Tule Lake (ddr-csujad-55-2705)
The pamphlet includes a brief description of Tule Lake camp and the program for Tule Lake plaque dedication ceremony held on May 27, 1979. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2869

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Tule Lake Pilgrimage attendees from Sacramento (ddr-csujad-55-1591)
Color photograph depicting a group of attendees of a pilgrimage to Tule Lake camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1593

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Official program Poston: memorial monument dedication (ddr-csujad-55-2703)
The program provides a history of the Poston incarceration camp. Includes photographs of the Poston camp and Poston memorial monument. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2867

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Official program Poston memorial monument kiosk dedication (ddr-csujad-55-2713)
The pamphlet provides a brief life history of the 25 Poston Servicemen who gave their lives in service to their country. Includes photographs of the Poston memorial monument and Kiosk. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2877

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Tule Lake pilgrimage, July 2nd-5th, 1998, journey of remembrance and discovery (ddr-csujad-55-2719)
The pamphlet of 1998 Tule Lake reunion. It provides a history of Tule Lake. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2883

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Tule Lake pilgrimage July 4-7 1996: fifty years later ... (ddr-csujad-55-2692)
A program pamphlet of 1996 Tule Lake pilgrimage. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2856

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Amache remembered 1942-1945 (ddr-csujad-55-2695)
Pamphlet listing Amache memorial dedication schedule and the program of Amache reunion banquet/dance at Regency Hotel in Denver, Colorado, and historical photographs of the Granda (Amache) incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2859

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Camp warehouse (ddr-densho-11-5)
This building, now a potato-processing plant, was formerly a produce-processing and storage facility at the Tule Lake concentration camp.

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Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-4)
Pilgrimage attendees examine an old latrine foundation from Block 73. The holes were for toilets, which were situated at each end of the facility. Group showers were in the middle.

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Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-1)
Jimi Yamaichi (right) pointing out something to Stan Shikuma at the former site of the Tule Lake concentration camp.

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Cross erected by camp inmates (ddr-densho-11-7)
This cross, erected by inmates at the Tule Lake concentration camp, sits on top of a formation called Castle Rock. It is being approached by pilgrimage attendees.

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Memorial honoring deceased camp inmates (ddr-densho-11-12)
This memorial honors Japanese Americans who died while incarcerated at the Tule Lake concentration camp. The marker is located at the Linkville cemetery in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

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Pilgrimage attendees on Castle Rock (ddr-densho-11-6)
Tule Lake inmates erected this cross on top of a formation called Castle Rock. The area below the cross is the former site of the concentration camp.

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Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-2)
Pilgrimage attendees barracks located on the property of a local farmer. Castle Rock is in the background.

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Memorial plaque (ddr-densho-11-11)
This plaque was placed at the base of the cross on Castle Rock on October 2, 1982. The plaque honors Christian ministers who served the inmates at the Tule Lake concentration camp.

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Tule Lake pilgrimage (ddr-densho-11-3)
Pilgrimage attendees barracks located on the property of a local farmer. Castle Rock is in the background.