Mae Hara Collection

ddr-densho-308

The Mae Hara Collection is comprised of photographs and documents from the personal family collection of Mae Hara, a Japanese American who was interview by Densho in 2004. The photos depict Mae's prewar life in Seattle, Washington. The documents concern her family's Oyster business pre-war, relocation to Minidoka, and post war life.

c. 1920- 1943

c. 1920- 1989

1 folder

Densho

Courtesy of Mae Hara Collection

9 Objects

Citizen's Indefinite Leave Card (ddr-densho-308-1)
doc Citizen's Indefinite Leave Card (ddr-densho-308-1)
Iwao Hara's Indefinite Leave Card allowed him to leave Minidoka concentration camp and move to Chicago, Illinois to pursue a new job with United Fundraising.
Citizen's Indefinite Leave Card (ddr-densho-308-2)
doc Citizen's Indefinite Leave Card (ddr-densho-308-2)
Mae Hara's Indefinite Leave Card allowed her to leave Minidoka concentration camp and move to Chicago, Illinois with her husband, Iwao. While in Chicago she worked with the American Friends Field Service as a Social Worker.
Nisei children (ddr-densho-308-3)
img Nisei children (ddr-densho-308-3)
The Kanazawa children posing here (front row, left to right) Min Kanazawa, Bob Kanazawa, Yasu Kanazawa, (back row, left to right Niesan Kanazawa, Mae (Kanazawa) Hara
Kanazawa home (ddr-densho-308-4)
img Kanazawa home (ddr-densho-308-4)
The Kanazawa family outside their home at 1642 Weller St., Seattle, Washington.
Mae Hara and Rae Yoshioka at World's Fair (ddr-densho-308-5)
img Mae Hara and Rae Yoshioka at World's Fair (ddr-densho-308-5)
Mae (Kanazawa) Hara spent three years (1932-1935) in Chicago to attend college and study music. During the summer of 1933, Chicago hosted the World's Fair. Hara and her cousin, Rae Yoshioka, worked at the Japanese Pavilion. During the opening ceremonies both girls wore kimonos and served as ushers. Hara also sang in a 5,000 voice choir …
Hara wedding (ddr-densho-308-6)
img Hara wedding (ddr-densho-308-6)
Mae (Kanazawa) Hara returned to Seattle, Washington from teaching music in Japan in the spring of 1939. While Hara had been abroad, her parents had arranged a marriage between her and a childhood friend, Iwao Hara. They were married on October 19, 1939.
Power of attorney (ddr-densho-308-7)
doc Power of attorney (ddr-densho-308-7)
International Oyster Co., Ltd grants Kanamatsu Kanazawa power of attorney in connection to its dealings with Padilla Oyster Beds and Padilla Point Oyster Company. Kanazawa helped to start the oyster business in the Pacific Northwest when he learned that the cooler waters accelerated the growth of oysters. Oysters grown in the Pacific Northwest could reach commercial …
White House war reparation letter (ddr-densho-308-8)
doc White House war reparation letter (ddr-densho-308-8)
When Mae Hara received her reparation letter and check, she said she was stunned. She used the money received from the government to buy a new echo organ for her church in Madison, Wisconsin. Hara dedicated the donation to the memory of her parents, Kinmatsu and Chiyoko Kanazawa.
Certificate of Nationality (ddr-densho-308-9)
doc Certificate of Nationality (ddr-densho-308-9)
Chiyoko Kanazawa's certificate of nationality. Kanazawa's daughter, Mae (Kanazawa) Hara recalled that her mother immigrated to Seattle, Washington in 1912. She was a gifted sewer and flower arranger. Even near the end of her life when she came to live with Hara, she would spend the mornings arranging flowers cut from the garden.
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