Densho

@denshoproject

Preserves and shares history of the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans to promote equity and justice today.

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Densho@denshoproject· 11d

For this month’s installment of Densho Staff’s 30 Favorite Objects, Communications Manager Diana Tsuchida shared one object that isn’t her “favorite” but one that she always revisits and is particularly impactful for her.

Black-and-white archival photo from March 30, 1942, on Bainbridge Island. A large white dog stands on its hind legs on a suitcase, front paws raised toward a man and woman seated in the back of an open canvas-covered Army truck, as if saying goodbye. The man wears a hat and dark overcoat; the woman wears a dark coat with a fur collar. A soldier in uniform stands to the left, watching. The scene depicts the Moji family's forced departure during the WWII removal of Japanese Americans.

Densho@denshoproject· 12d

Densho opposes the recently announced plans to close National Archives facilities in Chicago and San Bruno. Densho Archives Director Caitlin Oiye Coon, who visited the San Bruno facility in California to scan and archive material, explains why.

Densho@denshoproject· 20d

Herded like animals by military police with their guns and billy clubs, Dennis Bambauer remembers getting on a bus in Los Angeles that took him and other orphans to Manzanar Children’s Village – the only orphanage in all of the ten camps.

Densho@denshoproject· 21d

At the end of June, community activist, educator, and Densho oral history narrator, Ikuko “Iku” Kiriyama, passed away. We are feeling her loss in many ways, as she was instrumental in many community organizations, namely the Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California (JAHSSC).

Densho@denshoproject· 25d

Today, we’re celebrating what would have been Arnold Maeda’s 100th birthday and his contributions to the Japanese American community.

Same archival photo as previous slide. Text overlay: “To learn more about Arnold Maeda and his contributions to the community, read our ‘Nisei Notables’ article on the Densho Catalyst at densho.org/catalyst.”

Densho@denshoproject· Jul 3

In a poignant moment, Sasaki reflects on a seemingly innocuous habit that her father had that revealed his deeper worry around his citizenship status for years beyond the camps.

Densho@denshoproject· Jul 3

“If you will restore our lifestyle like before this evacuation, yes, I would be more than willing to serve in the armed services. If not, I will not… I was born and raised here, this is my country.” Unfortunately, his appeal was met with deaf ears: “They didn’t care at all about the injustice.”

Densho@denshoproject· Jul 3

She recalls that “They believed [so] strongly in the righteousness of their cause that we have no right in a democratic America to have concentration camps for U.S. citizens who are guaranteed their inalienable rights in the Constitution.”

Densho@denshoproject· Jul 3

The first video features an interview with the leader of Heart Mountain’s Fair Play Committee, Frank Emi, from the documentary, Rabbit in the Moon. Emi recalls how he and his brother answered Questions 27 and 28 on the “loyalty questionnaire” given to all incarcerated in the camps.

Densho@denshoproject· Jul 3

In honor of this significant Fourth of July, we are exploring some pivotal moments and decisions made behind barbed wire that highlight resistance and challenges to the U.S. government.

Densho branded graphic with depicting a barrack, American flag and a mountain range in the background. In large font it reads, Americanism and Resistance and in smaller font the graphic reads, Reflections on how Japanese Americans responded to the injustice of WWII incarceration and claimed their identity, rights, and belonging as Americans in the United States

Densho@denshoproject· Jul 2

Obon season is currently underway at Buddhist temples across the country, where taiko performances are a common feature of the festivities.

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 24

For June’s installment of Densho Staff’s 30 Favorite Objects series, we are highlighting a letter that, on the surface, reminds us of summer.

A censored letter dated July 15, 1945, from Guntaro Kubota to Mrs. Gloria Kubota at Heart Mountain, Wyoming (barrack 30-18-E), bearing a red "CENSORED" stamp. The handwritten text in blue ink reads: “Dear Gloria and Makiko, I am very sorry to Makiko. Last time I was [to] send [a] picture for Hidemaro’s birthday. I know Maki [wanted one], too but I was very busy to draw [a] picture." The lower two-thirds of the letter features a watercolor illustration of a young curly-haired child in red swim trunks standing on a beach, holding a yellow shovel beside a blue bucket, with a red shape in the sand, a small turtle nearby, and a serene coastal landscape with water, hills, and a small sailboat in the background.

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 18

In the fourteenth installment of 30 Stories for 30 Years, Yukiko Miyake recalls a memory of when she was sick in Minidoka, and an Issei woman brought her otsukemono (pickled vegetables).

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 17

We are excited to welcome Diana Tsuchida as Densho’s new Communications Manager!

Diana Tsuchida is smiling in a portrait photo where she is centered. She is wearing a silver hoop earring that goes through a tiny hole in the center of a small, white disk. She is also wearing a rust-colored blouse with a white flower design. The background is blurred-out greenery.

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 13

Known for expanding the boundaries of art in the decades after World War II, Satoru Abe is someone we want to celebrate today on what would’ve been his 100th birthday.

Densho branded graphic, text in the top left-hand corner reads: "Happy 100th Birthday Satoru Abe". Portrait photo of Satoru Abe in an art gallery that has white walls with various artworks hanging. The background is faded slightly with a navy hue.

Image of Satoru Abe's "Two Figures in the Forest" metal sculpture. Text at the top reads, "'Two Figures in the Forest' by Satoru Abe. Photo courtesy of the Honolulu Museum of Art"

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 11

During the WWII Japanese American incarceration, sports served as an escape from the monotony and challenges of prison life. In many instances, they also functioned as a release valve for the social, economic, psychological, and political pressures created by incarceration based solely on ancestry.

Black-and-white photo taken from a low angle of two Japanese American men competing in a sumo wrestling match. Both wrestlers are lifting and attempting to throw their opponents off-balance. Both wear sumo-style loincloths. Decorative streamers and a loudspeaker hang overhead, framing the match. A large crowd of spectators and barracks are visible in the background.

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 11

Like the worldwide love for soccer (or “football”), sports in the WWII camps were a unifying force for many incarcerated Japanese Americans. They were a link to normalcy for those Japanese Americans after being forcibly removed from their West Coast communities and lives.

Black-and-white action photo of two young women playing basketball indoors. One woman, Japanese American, in a white outfit, holds the ball while a second woman, a white woman, also in a white outfit, defends closely behind her. A gymnasium with tall windows is visible in the background.

Black-and-white photo of young Japanese American boys playing tackle football on a flat dirt field. The photo is taken mid-play. The player running with the football nearly dodges a player on the opposing team as he tries to tackle his legs. Long barracks and utility poles stretch across the background.

Black-and-white photo of a large crowd of Japanese American incarcerees watching a baseball game in camp. Hundreds of spectators line the dirt field, with a large institutional building visible in the background. A lone player is visible on the field.

Black-and-white photo of a group of young Japanese American boys huddled together in a football huddle on a sandy, arid field. Their arms are around each other, heads bowed inward. Barracks and mountains are visible in the background.

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 11

As the World Cup starts today across North America, we wanted to take note of the power of sports to unify people across the world, even during times of global uncertainty.

Black-and-white photo of a young Nisei boy crouching in a backyard, holding a round ball with both hands. He wears a dark long-sleeve sweater over a collared shirt and shorts. Residential houses and utility poles are visible in the background.

Black-and-white photo of a group of Japanese American men playing football on a large dirt field. Mountains are visible in the background, along with barracks. Players are mid-action, running and tackling.

Black-and-white photo of six smiling Japanese American women in white shirts, gathered together and gripping a baseball bat in a classic "pick teams" hand-over-hand stacking pose. Barracks are faintly visible in the background.

Black-and-white photo of a young Japanese American man in full baseball catcher's gear — chest protector, shin guards, and mitt — looking into the distance. He stands on an open dirt field with barracks visible in the distant background.

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 10

“And we talked about the long-term effects of the internment, but the pilgrimage really offers a place of healing, a place of solitude. Because it is, my gosh, a desolate place. And we spent a portion of our life, however brief, in that place. And the toll that it took is incalculable.”

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 6

In a recent Densho Catalyst article, historian and PhD student Selena Moon explores the importance of accessibility at historic sites, highlighting how many sites have been and continue to be inaccessible.

Densho-branded graphic with a pull quote from Selena Moon. Background photo shows a wooden accessibility ramp at a historic site with mountains visible. Quote reads: "Historic sites of varying ages across the world have achieved accessibility. Accessibility in historic sites with original structures is likely difficult but usually not impossible. Sites with reconstructions or replicas instead of original structures have a much easier time and no excuse not to be accessible."

Densho@denshoproject· Jun 6

“Historic sites must be accessible. And it is important to acknowledge that they weren’t at the time, and in many cases took a long time to become accessible, or continue to be inaccessible.”

Densho-branded title graphic with the heading "Importance of Accessibility at Historic Sites." Background photo shows a wooden accessibility ramp with metal railings at a historic site, with snow-capped mountains and a cloudy sky behind. A text box reads: "Densho Catalyst guest writer Selena Moon explores how many historic sites are still not fully accessible and what can be done today."

Densho-branded graphic with text over a faded outdoor background. Text reads: "Historian and PhD student Selena Moon explores the importance of accessibility at historic sites, highlighting how many sites have been & continue to be inaccessible. She explains how accessibility is often one of the last considerations at historic and other sites. And if a site has accessibility, it is often limited, excluding people with various disabilities. Selena reminds us that it is important to create spaces where everyone feels and is included, and that everyone deserves access to culture and history, especially their own."

Densho-branded graphic featuring a pull quote from Selena Moon: "As a person with low vision, I have found that many locations, exhibits, and presentations are inaccessible, including dark interiors, small text and inaccessible fonts, lack of contrast, not being able to get close to exhibits or text, and lack of accessible materials." Below the quote is a photograph of a large outdoor interpretive sign titled "Setsuko Saito Higuchi Memorial Walking Tour," which includes both printed text and braille. A caption reads "Heart Mountain Braille Sign."

Densho-branded graphic with a pull quote from Selena Moon over a faded image of the wooden accessibility ramp at a historic site with mountains visible. Quote reads: "Historically, the world was inaccessible to disabled people in many ways, from lacking ramps or seating, sign language interpreters or subtitles, braille or large print, or having over-stimulating environments. It is important to acknowledge that disabled people were excluded from many locations, including because of lack of accommodations and accessibility. But it is also important to show how things have changed as people became more aware of and attuned to various needs, thereby decreasing these barriers."

Densho@denshoproject· May 29

In addition to highlighting her voice in the Catalyst, we also wanted to share a clip from one of Satsuki’s oral history interviews with Densho from 2019. We share this clip as the twelfth installment of our 30 Stories for 30 Years series.

Densho@denshoproject· May 27

For this installment of Densho Staff’s 30 Favorite Objects series, we are highlighting two objects that hold special meaning for two of our staff members.

Densho@denshoproject· May 25

On this Memorial Day, we want to share an oral history interview of decorated World War II veteran and member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Fred Shiosaki, describing the rescue of the "Lost Battalion” in World War II.

Densho@denshoproject· May 23

We are heartbroken by the passing of Kyoko Nancy Oda, a giant in the Nikkei community and one of our oral history narrators.

Densho@denshoproject· May 21

Tying in the literary and the personal, Amber explores the novel as an archive through a brief overview of its three parts, focusing on how communities are empowered by shared histories, especially when they are able to contribute to it. Read Amber’s review at densho.org/catalyst

Densho@denshoproject· May 21

In the most recent Densho Catalyst article, UCLA PhD Student Amber Hisatomi reviews Karen Tei Yamashita’s new novel, Questions 27 & 28.

Densho@denshoproject· May 21

“[Author Karen Tei] Yamashita provides a lot of answers, but she also leaves a lot unknown, because it is impossible to know everything.” – Amber Hisatomi

Densho@denshoproject· May 19

This past February, Densho completed a major milestone with the completion of the Loni Ding Oral History and Film Research Collection grant project.

Densho@denshoproject· May 18

Save the date and join Densho for a zine-making workshop at the Seattle Public Library, part of their programming for One Book, One Coast.