53 items
53 items
![Martha Nishitani Interview (ddr-densho-1000-71)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Interview (ddr-densho-1000-71)
Nisei female. Born February 27, 1920, in Seattle, Washington. Family owned and operated the Oriental Gardens, the first nursery in Lake City. Incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. An award-winning modern dancer who established the Martha Nishitani Modern Dance School and Martha Nishitani Modern Dance Company, she also choreographs for modern …
![](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/42/a5/42a500c5952b44a27a89516ef2e8bad8.jpg)
Narrator Martha Nishitani
Nisei female. Born February 27, 1920, in Seattle, Washington. Family owned and operated the Oriental Gardens, the first nursery in Lake City. Incarcerated at Puyallup Assembly Center, Washington, and Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. An award-winning modern dancer who established the Martha Nishitani Modern Dance School and Martha Nishitani Modern Dance Company, she also choreographs for modern …
![Nisei children (ddr-densho-134-10)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/20/85/2085507736281fcf2765c6aa1bde6830.jpg)
img
Nisei children (ddr-densho-134-10)
Back row (L to R): Michiko Nakawatase, Chimiko Nakawatase, Satoko Abe, Kazuko Sasaki. Middle row (L to R): Tomiye Mochizuki, Yoshiye Mochizuki, Martha Nishitani, Mariko Kumasaka. Front row (L to R): Connie Nishitani, unidentified.
![Nishitani Collection (ddr-densho-33)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/08/76/0876c0129c78f923ac6dc1ba54d4f899.jpg)
Collection
Nishitani Collection (ddr-densho-33)
The Nishitani collection consists of several photographs of the Oriental Gardens, a Japanese-run nursery in Seattle, Washington, prior to World War II. Densho interviewed collection donor Martha Nishitani in 1998.
![Martha Nishitani Segment 10 (ddr-densho-1000-71-10)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 28 (ddr-densho-1000-71-28)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 28 (ddr-densho-1000-71-28)
First discovery of dance: "I wanted to dance ever since I was six"
![Martha Nishitani Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-71-12)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 12 (ddr-densho-1000-71-12)
Refused service on a public bus after the bombing of Pearl Harbor
![Martha Nishitani Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-71-17)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 17 (ddr-densho-1000-71-17)
Trying to spark interest in Japanese dance in camp
![Martha Nishitani Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1000-71-2)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 2 (ddr-densho-1000-71-2)
Establishment of family business, the Oriental Gardens
![Martha Nishitani Segment 7 (ddr-densho-1000-71-7)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-71-8)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 8 (ddr-densho-1000-71-8)
Influence of Caucasian sister-in-law, "'You're just like everyone else, you're an American citizen'"
![Martha Nishitani Segment 26 (ddr-densho-1000-71-26)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 30 (ddr-densho-1000-71-30)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 30 (ddr-densho-1000-71-30)
Busy days studying dance, teaching classes, and making sewing costumes
![Martha Nishitani Segment 35 (ddr-densho-1000-71-35)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 38 (ddr-densho-1000-71-38)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 38 (ddr-densho-1000-71-38)
Inspiration behind "A Shepherdess," maternal instinct
![Martha Nishitani Segment 25 (ddr-densho-1000-71-25)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-71-14)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 14 (ddr-densho-1000-71-14)
Removal from Seattle; "Hundreds of little black heads ... they all looked alike"
![Martha Nishitani Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-71-19)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 19 (ddr-densho-1000-71-19)
Social life in Minidoka concentration camp: dancing and meeting boys
![Martha Nishitani Segment 48 (ddr-densho-1000-71-48)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 47 (ddr-densho-1000-71-47)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 47 (ddr-densho-1000-71-47)
Importance of pursing what you love the most in life
![Martha Nishitani Segment 44 (ddr-densho-1000-71-44)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 40 (ddr-densho-1000-71-40)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 40 (ddr-densho-1000-71-40)
Home as an inspiration for "Transit in Dormancy" and the multimedia film "Water Images"
![Martha Nishitani Segment 22 (ddr-densho-1000-71-22)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 22 (ddr-densho-1000-71-22)
Influence of first professional modern dance teacher, Eleanor King
![Martha Nishitani Segment 46 (ddr-densho-1000-71-46)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
![Martha Nishitani Segment 37 (ddr-densho-1000-71-37)](https://ddr.densho.org/media/cache/2a/42/2a42162bf164e28509d5b0d97d65fc7c.jpg)
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Martha Nishitani Segment 37 (ddr-densho-1000-71-37)
Perspective on current modern dance, emotional involvement