Nippon Kan Theatre photograph, moving image, and ephemera collection, approximately 1900-1989

Overview of the Collection

Title
Nippon Kan Theatre photograph, moving image, and ephemera collection
Dates
approximately 1900-1989 (inclusive)
Quantity
221 photographic prints, 12 negatives, 76 slides, 1 film reel, 1 video cassettes, 2 audio cassettes, 34 items of ephemera
Collection Number
PH0508
Summary
Photographs, textual materials, audio-visual materials, and ephemera regarding the Nippon Kan Theatre and the Japanese American community.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English, Japanese

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The building that housed the Nippon Kan Theatre, located at 622-628 Washington Street in Seattle, Washington, was designed by the architecture firm of Thompson and Thompson and was constructed in 1909. The theater, which was in the basement, shared the building with the Astor Hotel and ground floor shops. Sometimes referred to as Nippon Kan Hall, it would endure as a community focal point of Seattle's Nihonmachi ("Japantown") for over thirty years. Performances held at the Nippon Kan were both Western and traditional Japanese music, dance, and theater. Among the many notable performers who graced the stage were the internationally acclaimed soprano Miura Tamaki and Japanese composer Shisui Hiyashita, conducting the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. The theater was also used for wedding celebrations, community group meetings, religious gatherings, movie nights, sumo wrestling events, and lectures delivered by people such as orator Booker T. Washington.

In 1942, when Japanese American communities were forcibly removed en masse to internment camps during World War II, the theater building was boarded up and left largely unused. Ownership of the building changed hands multiple times over the years until 1971 when Seattle architect Edward Burke purchased the building with his business partner Leon Bridges. Over the next ten years, Burke and his wife Elizabeth worked toward the building's restoration, which was completed in 1981. The revitalized building once again became a thriving cultural center, hosting a myriad of musical and theatrical performances, cultural festivals, and private events. It was also used as the base for The Chinatown Tour , a slideshow and lecture on Seattle’s Asian-American history followed by a walking tour of present-day International District.

The Nippon Kan Theater building was placed onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, securing its place in Seattle's rich history.

In 2005, the building was sold and converted into an office.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of photographs of the Nippon Kan Theatre building. The images document the theater structure, its performances and events in the years after its construction in 1909 through the early 1940s, and events before and after its restoration in the 1970s and 1980s. Also included are written materials, maps, architectural drawings, and photographs of historical Seattle and the International District, as well as the history of Japanese Americans in Washington and California. In addition, photographs believed to have been in a photo album containing images of Nippon Kan Theatre performances and events, as well as clubs and community groups associated with the theater from the early 1900s through the early 1940s, are included. The disassembled album also includes images depicting the building before and after its restoration. Also included in this collection are materials relating to The Chinatown Tour given by Elizabeth Burke in the early 1980s and includes slides, audiocassettes, videocassettes, and a film segment.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donor: Edward M. Burke, December 28, 1994.

Stock Certificate donated by Janet Hibiya Murayama on May 5, 2017.

Processing Note

Processed by Jessica Jones, 2015, Beck Prigot, 2016; processing completed 2016.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Nippon Kan TheatreReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Prior to Restoration
Building Prior to Restoration
Box/Folder item
1/1 1
Exterior of southeast corner of Nippon Kan Theater building
circa 1971-1981
1/1 2-5
Exterior of building showing damage and boarded-up windows and doors
circa 1971
1/1 6
View of stage from balcony
circa 1971
1/1 7
View of theater from stage
circa 1971
1/1 8 circa 1971-1981
1/1 9 circa 1971
1/1 10a-h
Contact prints of theater building interior
Ray O. Welch, Mercer Island, Washington (photographer)
circa 1970
1/1 11
Assessor's photo showing exterior of southeast corner of theater building
before 1940
1/1 12 1971
1/1 13
Contact sheet of wall signatures and building interior
Negatives are not included in collection.
circa 1970
1/1 14
Contact sheet of building interior, wall signatures, and Kobe Terrace Park
Negatives are not included in collection.
circa 1970
1/1 15-16
Contact sheets of building exterior
Negatives are not included in collection.
circa 1971
1/1 17-19
Photocopies of contact sheets of theater building interior
Hugh Stratford (photographer)
Photographer Hugh Stratford made photographs for Nippon Kan Theatre project. See originals (R808 series) in Hugh Stratford Collection.
1971
1/1 20-22
Photocopies of contact prints of theater building interior and exterior
Hugh Stratford (photographer)
See originals (1182 series) in Hugh Stratford Collection.
1971
XH3 23 circa 1970s-1980s
Performances and Events
Box/Folder item
1/2 24
Joruri music book
This book (printed in Japanese) was used to practice Joruri, a narrative singing performance. It may have been used by a performer associated with the theater. Additional information translated from the text is available with the item.
circa 1911
1/2 25-26 before 1943
1/2 27-33 1913
1/2 34 circa 1960s
1/2 35 circa 1960s
box-folder:oversize
OS4 36
Performance programs and advertisements
Programs (original and photocopies) are mainly in Japanese and are for the plays Konjiki Yasha (Golden Demon), Razor, Section of Nozaki Village, Golden Watch, Bockpecehue, Yoshitaka in Love, I Am a Wife, On Ai Hitomeno Sekimori, Onnakeizu, and Ichinotani Futaba Gunki (A Chronicle of the Battle of Ichinotani). Also includes programs for recitals with singers Miyoshi Sugimachi and Miura Tamaki. Information translated from the materials is available in case file.
circa 1920s-1942
XD2 37
Performance programs and advertisements
Programs (original and photocopies) are mainly in Japanese. One program is for singer Miyoshi Sugimachi's performance of Madame Butterfly.Information translated from the materials is available in case file.
circa 1920s-1942
Box/Folder
VC368 38
Film of sumo wrestling match shown at Nippon Kan Theatre before the forced removal and incarceration in 1942.
Film depicts a sumo wrestling match (filmed in Japan) between wrestlers Sakuranishiki and Asahikawa. Original: 1 film reel, silent, black and white
circa 1940
After Restoration
Building After Restoration
Box/Folder item
1/3 39
Theater stage advertising screen
1981
1/3 40 1981
1/3 41-42 circa May 1981
1/3 43
View of the restored theater from the stage
1981
1/3 44 circa 1981
1/3 45
Contact sheet of Kobe Terrace Park
Scanned from negatives
circa early 1980s
Performances and Events
Box/Folder item
1/4 46
Color contact sheet of Sensei Aya Sakoda with students performing traditional music
Negatives are not included in collection.
circa 1981
1/4 47
Color contact sheet of performances and events at the Nippon Kan Theatre
circa 1981
1/4 48-49 circa 1981
1/4 50
Contact sheet of Vietnamese New Year's Celebration
Scanned from negative
circa 1981
1/4 51-52
Contact sheets of filming for a documentary about Waka Yamada
A Japanese film crew filmed segments of the documentary in and around the Nippon Kan Theatre.Scanned from negative
1979
1/4 53 circa early 1980s
1/4 54
Contact sheet of Seattle City Councilman Sam Smith and traditional Japanese costumes
Scanned from negative
circa early 1980s
1/4 55
Contact sheet of men and women
Location may be inside Nippon Kan Theatre.Scanned from negative.
circa early 1980s
1/4 56 circa 1970s-1980s
Edward Burke Photo Album
The following items are believed to have been in a photograph album. Items were put together by Mr. Burke. Some photographs were given to him by members of the Japanese American community in Seattle. Original order of album has been retained.
Box/Folder item
1/5 57
Japanese community meeting
Caption from accompanying material: Shig Osawa as a young child in second row fourth from left. Audience is primarily male with only six women and two young girls present.
circa 1905
1/6 58 1913
1/7 59
Toyo Club members outside Nippon Kan Theater
People identified in photograph: (front row) Katsuko Togo (third from left), Yuki Osawa (fourth from left), Osawa (fourth from right), Kei Sakamoto (third from right), Sue Takaharhi (second from right), Arai (right)
July 7, 1913
1/8 60
Japanese Association meeting
Caption on accompanying material: Note original advertising screen and proscenium rosettes. K. Iwamura.
1915
1/9 61
Masu Osawa's memorial service
Masu Osawa was the second sister of Shigeru "Shig" Osawa.People identified in photograph: Mine Sakamoto (front row, second from left), Yuki Osawa (front row, fourth from left), Mr. Sasaki (middle row, right)
1915
1/10 62
623½ Main Street, Japantown, Seattle
Caption: Main Street Nihonmachi looking west midway between Maynard and 7th Ave. Wooden sidewalks and garbage containers still evident. The street was formed of timbers on south half, the north half was the foot of a slide area. Early stores had open fronts.
June 16, 1915
1/11 63
Portrait of Genzaburo Ohashi
F. H. Ito, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
Caption on accompanying material: Mr. Ohashi graduated from the Anacortes Elementary School in 1911. He performed at the Nippon Kan from 1917-1941. His daughter Fumi Higashi performed in the first play produced after the 1981 renovation and his grandson Mike Higashi now practices dentistry adjacent to the theatre.
1917
1/11 64
Japanese Music Society seated on theater stage
1917
1/11 65
Japanese group seated on theater stage
before 1943
1/11 66
Genzaburo Ohashi's class picture from Anacortes Elementary School
Caption on accompanying material: 1911 Anacortes E.S., Mr. Ohashi, Fumiko Higashi, 9643 58 S. Translated from handwritten Japanese characters on verso: Old man Ohashi.
1911
1/12 67
Main Street, Nihonmachi ("Japantown"), Seattle
From accompanying material: Main Street Nihonmachi looking West. North side of street had little building near 7th due to unstable soils. The corner of the Nippon Kan can be seen in the upper right corner.
February 3, 1918
1/13 68 February 1916
1/14 69 March 20, 1919
1/15 70
Stock share certificate for ownership in the Nippon Kan Company
March 20, 1919
1/16 71
Japanese Sewing Club
Accompanying material indicates that Hosoe Kodama is pictured front row, fourth from left, and that Hosoe Yoshikawa is also pictured. Group is seated in front of the "house and studio of Kane Takahashi, founder of M[atsubakai] on Washington St adjacent to the Nippon Kan."
circa 1919-1920
1/17 72
Three performers on stage in Yuki No Ichiya, a play presented by the Asahi Club
Translated from Japanese characters handwritten on image: Tomita, Fujii, Kawaguchi (names of performers).
March 1921
1/18 73 February 17, 1923
1/19 74
Miura Tamaki in group seated on theater stage
From accompanying material: Performance of arias by Miura Tamaki, the internationally acclaimed soprano. A friend of Puccini, she influenced his writing and sang his Madame Butterfly with the New York Metropolitan Opera Company. Miura Tamaki is seated in the second row second from left.People identified in photograph: (front row) "Fudge" Wantanabe, Mina Kimura, Nellie Tsuneishi, Tomi Tsukuno Holder, Hana Arai; (middle row) Yone Aoki, Tamaki Miura, Motsu Kimura, Sato Kawaguchi, Mika Okazaki; (back row) Toma Sakai (left), Toki Miyagawa Nakamura (third from left), Mary Shinowara Chai (fifth from left), Tae Miyagawa Okumura (fifth from right), Nobu Kawaguch Arai (fourth from right), Mashako Hotta (right)
1925
1/20 75
Japanese Boy Scout Troop 53
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
February 22, 1924
1/21 76
Performers on stage
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
From accompanying material: Arai Collection 1926 (material donated to Edward Burke by Gerry Arai's aunt).
circa 1926
1/21 77
Performers on stage during shi-shi mai ("lion") dance
1926
1/21 78
Group of Japanese women and girls seated on stage
Toyo Studio, Seattle, Washington (Photographer)
Group may be the "Girls Club." See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
November 5-6, 1926
1/21 79
Group of Japanese women and girls seated on stage
Group may be the "Girls Club." See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
circa 1926
1/22 80a-b
Japanese Girls Club members in "Momotaro"
From accompanying material: Collection of Gerry Arai's aunt 1927, Mimaskao, Mrs. Nakamura.People in photograph: (foreground) Mary Umemota, Umeko Inouye, Billee Yoshioka, (background) Hana Osada, Aiko Yamada, Masuke Itomitsu, Rae Yasumota
1929
1/22 81
Osho San Arai in costume
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
circa 1920s
1/22 82 circa 1920s
1/22 83
Two female performers
Toyo Studio, Seattle, Washington (Photographer)
circa 1920s
1/22 84 circa 1920s
1/23 85
Japanese Music Society seated on stage
Ochi Studio, Seattle (Photographer)
1929
1/23 86 1929
1/23 87
Three performers on stage
Caption on accompanying material: Micheo Kimura's father - one of the principal actors and musicians at the Nippon Kan. He worked at the Japanese Consulate and was the first arrested in Seattle following Pearl Harbor. Shigin and shamisen recital 1929. Third selection listed.
1929
1/24 88
Japanese Girls Club Variety Show performers on stage
Ochi Studio, Seattle (Photographer)
See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
circa 1925-1930
1/25 89
Biwa Society performers on stage
Amano, Seattle, Washington (Photographer)
From accompanying material: Biwa Society, Chiku-zen Biwa Showaki. Tachibana Ryu Eguchi welcoming Madame Hokyuzan Takakura. Translated from Japanese characters written on front of image: Concert for welcoming Hokyuzan Takakura, Showa 4 April 7th, Seattle City, Washington State, North America, celebrating show group at Nippon Kan.
April 7, 1929
1/26 90
Interior of Yorita Print Shop
From accompanying material: Yorita Printing Company at street level under theater. One of original advertisers on Nippon Kan screen.
circa 1915
1/26 91-92a
Mr. Yorita and his children at his print shop
From accompanying material: Mr. Yorita and first three children. Inset [shop] exterior [91] with Ben Yorita who recently taught at Seattle Central Community College. He was born in the building.
circa 1915
box-folder:oversize
OS4 92b circa 1915
Box/Folder
1/27 93
Lotus Buddhist Club seated on stage
Takano Studio, Seattle, Washington (Photographer)
See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
March 17, 1934
1/28 94
Shigin performers on stage
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
From accompanying material: Kimura collection. Shigin - Kabuki production 1934.
1934
1/28 95
Kenji Kimura in Kabuki costume
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
May 1934
1/28 96 1934
1/28 97
Performers on stage
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
May 1934
1/28 98
Performers on stage
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
October 21, 1934
1/29 99a-b
Diary entries
Photocopies of diary pages (in Japanese) include eight daily entries in November of an unknown year. Entries highlight the business and activities of an unnamed community association (possibly the Japanese Association of North America) that was involved with social and educational events in the Japanese American community in Seattle. Summary of translated entries are included with item.
after 1913
1/30 100
Hiroshi Gosho competing in archery competition
Gosho Photography (photographer)
Caption on accompanying material: Archery competition 1935. Father of Mrs. Michael Fukuma.
1935
1/30 101
Actor in costume
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
April 1936
1/31 102
Performers on stage in Chikamatsu Honji's Osome Hisamatsu
Caption: Kabuki play with garden gate at stage left near hanamichi. Prompter not fully concealed stage right. Note children at stage edge.Caption on accompanying material: Kabuki Play O Some Hisamatsu written in the 1700's by Chikamatsu Honji.
circa 1935
1/31 103
Hatsune Kai Dance School recital
Caption on accompanying material: Sensei Madame Nakatai dancing with her daughter Helen Nakatani on stage right and student Hiroko Beppu on stage left.
1923
1/32 104
Performers on stage in A Thousand Cherry Trees
From accompanying material: Tamako Tokuda (Inouye), Yoshiko (Yamamoto). Provided by Mrs. Momo Takaoshi.
November 1941
1/33 105a-b
Performers from Two Dolls
From accompanying material for 105a: May Sasaki is pictured on right. At left is a girl from Ihara family. Provided by Mrs. Okazaki.From accompanying material for 105b: May Sasaki on right. Other dancer from Ihara family who ran a restaurant in the 1930s then returned to Japan. May Sasaki's father, Seiji Nakamura, owned the Nippon Kan from 1946-1964.
circa 1936
1/33 106
Performers on stage
From accompanying material: Sachi Okazaki dancing with Eni Takenaga. Osho-san Nakatani playing instrument at right. Provided by Mrs. Harry Okazaki.
1936
1/34 107
Sachi Okazaki in costume
From accompanying material: Sachi Okazaki as "a fancy boatwoman" in 1936.
1936
1/34 108
Musicians on stage
From accompanying material: Osho san Nakatani in center, Kimura san on left - shigin performance. Provided by Mrs. Harry Okazaki.
1936
1/35 109
Grand Lotus Club seated on stage
Takano Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
June 25, 1936
1/36 110
Performers on stage in zenbon zakura dance
From accompanying material: Zenbon zakura dance 1936 showing use of Hanamichi - old clock hung above window at state right. Window permitted shielded view by musicians of performers approaching on hanamichi so that movements could be coordinated with striking of sticks and plucking of instruments.
1936
1/37 111a-b March 16, 1933
1/38 112
Biwa group seated on stage
From accompanying material: C. Chikuzen biwa.
circa 1936
1/39 113
Taiyo Club seated on stage
From accompanying materials: Fundraising event - amateur performance directed by Osho san Nakamura seated in center front row.People identified in photograph: (front row) Sueno Hikida (left), Luriko Okada Shioji (second from left), Marion Nakamura (third from left), Ayako Yoshida Yamada (fourth from left), Kazuko Fujii (fifth from left), Hiroshi Tyrus Okada (sixth from left), Osho Nakamura (sixth from right), Madame Nahatani (fifth from right), Sachiko Yoshida (third from right), Toshie Kato (second from right), Lillian Ichihara Naito (right); (middle row) Yoichi Matsuda (third from left), Sakiko Shiga (fourth from left), Chiyo Uyeda Yamamoto (fifth from left), Martha Ikeda Imabori (sixth from left), Hannah Ikeda Lai (seventh from left), Akira Mayeda (seventh from right), Toraichi Sao (fifth from right), Taka Okazaki (fourth from right), Kenji Yoshino (third from right), Kazuko Okada (second from right), Ban Okada (right); (back row) Sad Shiraishi (left), Shiro Iwana (second from left), Lefty Ichihara (third from left), Taka Ono (fourth from left), Shig Watanabe (fifth from left), Mike Kurokawa (sixth from left), Mr. Kaida (seventh from left), Soma Hayashi (fourth from right), Shoji Fukui (third from right), Otomaru (second from right), Kenji Kawaguchi (right)
February 7, 1937
1/40 114
Grand Lotus Club seated on stage
Takano Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
From accompanying material: Mr. Kinomoto fourth from left.
March 19, 1938
1/41 115a
Seattle Symphony Orchestra with conductor Shisui Y. Hiyashita on stage
From accompanying material: Sachiko Ochi - pianist. Seattle Symphony performing Sensei Miyashita's works - Ronald Philip clarinet.Translated from Japanese characters on image: Gift - Chorus group of the society [illegible] supporting Miyashita.See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
March 8, 1936
box-folder:oversize
OS4 115b
Seattle Symphony Orchestra with conductor Shisui Y. Hiyashita on stage
Handwritten on image: Mr. Shisui Hiyashita, conductor presented his own works with members of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Sachiko Ochi, pianist.Translated from Japanese characters on image: Gift - Chorus group of the society [illegible] supporting Miyashita.
March 8, 1936
Box/Folder
1/42 116
Performers on stage during shigin and biwa recital
From accompanying material: Kimura collection.See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
1936
1/42 117
Group seated on stage
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (Photographer)
1936
1/42 118-119
Performers on stage
Aiko Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
1936
1/43 120
Lotus Club seated on stage
From accompanying material: Mrs. Okazaki and Mrs. Hiro Nishimura.
February 25, 1939
1/44 121
Lotus Youth Club performers on stage
From accompanying materials: Yoshito Harada Takahashio, Bessie Suto, Masaro Harada, Mitsuyuki Yanagita.
1940
1/45 122
Lotus Club Girls Choir on stage
From accompanying material: Mrs. Takakoshi.
1940
1/46 123
Japanese Americans Citizen League Entertainment Review on stage
From accompanying material: Nakamura Sensei sixth from right.People identified in photograph: (front row) Yasuko Ota (third from left), Eileen Yaeko Nakamua Popiel (fourth from left), Susie Takemoto (fifth from left), Keiko Ogawa Yokota (sixth from left), Madame Tamiji Nakamura (sixth from right), Fred Tagaki (fifth from right), Clarence Arai (fourth from right), Nobi Nakagawa (third from right), Tomio Hamasaki (second from right), T. R. Goto (right), (middle row) Nogaki (left), Shigeko Tamaki (second from left), Sakiko Shiga (third from left), Cora Uno (fourth from left), Kiyo Kamikawa Sakahara (fifth from left), Isuree Nakamura (sixth from right), Takeo Nogaki (fourth from right), Johnson Shimizu (third from right), Minato (second from right), Hajime Hirata (right), (back row) Tom Kano (left), Vic Kambe (second from left), George Taki (third from left), Dick Kimura (fourth from left), Kamei Nahimura (fifth from left), Hachiro Kita (sixth from left), Francis Mas Fukuhara (fourth from right), Toraichi Sao (right)
October 1940
1/47 124
Performers on stage
From accompanying material: Mimaru Kai - Left to right: Michi Fujii, Mrs. Nishimura, Hideko Kozu, and Mrs. Iku
1941
1/48 125
Nippon Kan Theatre stage advertising screen
Takano Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
circa 1935-1940
1/49 126
Movie still from film of sumo wrestling match
Movie was shown at Nippon Kan Theatre before the forced removal and incarceration in 1942 and depicts a sumo wrestling match (filmed in Japan) between wrestlers Sakuranishiki and Asahikawa. This still is from a film fragment in this collection (see item 38).
1938-1942
1/50 127
Sumo wrestling team on stage
Translated from Japanese characters on image: Sumo wrestling tournament at Seattle City Nippon Kan. Support group of Unkaizeki [sumo wrestler].See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.Image was printed backward.
March 30, 1941
1/51 128
Shibai program
Summary translated from the program (printed in Japanese): Program highlights theater performances sponsored by Seattle Sanmasukai and includes advertisements from area businesses including the Aoki Shoe Store, Atlas Hotel, Jackson Ice Creamery, and the Tashiro Hardware Store.
October 4-5, 1941
1/52 129
Edward Burke on Nippon Kan Theatre stage before restoration
Caption: January 1942 - January 1983, A dead and decaying hall.
circa 1983
1/53 130
Brochure for Nippon Kan Theatre
circa 1980s
1/53 131
Guide to businesses on theater stage advertising screen
undated
1/54 132
Samurai slicing potato on performer during fundraising benefit
Original image obtained from Wing Luke Asian Museum.The event was organized by University of Washington professor Minoru Masuda to raise funds for a trip to the site of the former Minedoka War Relocation Center.
1979
1/54 133
Performers on stage during Kobe Terrace Park dedication festival
Original images may have been obtained from Wing Luke Asian Museum.
circa 1974
1/55 134-136
Performer on stage during a reading of Year of the Dragon on stage
From accompanying materials: Fundraiser reading of Year of the Dragon written by Frank Chin. Performers included Pat Suzuki, Bea Kiyohara, Frank Chin, and Mako. Dr. Minoru was the announcer. The funds were to send seniors back to visit the Minedoka Concentration Camp in Idaho where nikkei were sent in 1942. Emblem on stage valance was replicated in the restoration.
1979

The Chinatown TourReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
2/1 137-139
Walking tour scripts
circa 1981
2/2 140
Contact sheet of people inside buildings and in Kobe Terrace Park
Scanned from negatives
early 1980s
2/2 141
Contact sheet of people listening to lecture in theater and walking in Kobe Terrace Park
Scanned from negatives
early 1980s
Slideshow
Box/Folder item
2/3 142-1-76
Slides included in slideshow and talk
circa 1981
VC410 143
Video version of slideshow and talk titled Seattle's Other History: Our Asian American Heritage.
Item is a video version, not videotaped footage of live slideshow and talk.
circa 1981
2/17 144
Audio cassettes of slideshow talk in English titled Seattle's Other History
circa 1981
2/17 145
Audio cassettes of slideshow talk in Japanese
circa 1981

Japanese American CommunityReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Washington
Box/Folder item
2/4 146
Group of workers at Auburn Lumber Mill
From accompanying materials: Mr. Ohashi, Fumiko Higashi.
1912
2/4 147
Workers on railroad tracks
undated
2/4 148 circa 1920s
2/4 149
Wedding party members at the North American Zen Temple
The temple is probably not in Seattle.
circa 1930s
2/4 150
Group of people in front of Japanese Methodist Church, 707 South Main Street
People in photograph: (Front row) Toho Son, Ooi Senyuki, Tani Yo, Mrs. Tsuruta, Reverend Tsuruta, Yoshikoka Seimei, Mrs. Yoshiota, Professor Aoyama, Yamada Eno, Mrs. Yae(?), unidentified; (center row) Ozaki Zanzo, Yanagi Rikizo, Tanaka, unidentified, Maeda Shozo, Tokoishi Shoichi, Ito, Itoh Shigeo; (back row) Kasai Shigeji, Kosugi Tamejiro, Suzuki Kichijiro, Nishyama Yosan, Okukawa Shanshiro, Togo Kinji, Fujiro Joshiro, unidentified, Hara Shintaro, Tazawa, Seki, Tatekobushi
1905
2/4 151 circa 1930-1942
2/4 152
Japanese football team
Toyo Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
circa 1930s
2/4 153-154
Taiyo Cardinals baseball team
The Taiyo Cardinals of the Courier Baseball League were the Class A champions in 1936-1937.See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
circa 1937
2/5 155
Group of Japanese women seated on stage
See accompanying material for identification of some individuals.
circa 1920s
2/5 156
Tsurin Kanamori Japanese Christian group seated on stage
Jackson Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
February 1916
2/5 157
Group of Japanese women and children in traditional dress in front of the Collins Field House, between 14th and 16th Avenues S
May 15, 1955
2/5 158
Seattle Treble City Chorus on stage at First Baptist Church
Jackson Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
Written on photograph: Chorus assisted by Mary Amano
May 4, 1937
2/5 159
Woman in store
circa 1950s
2/5 160 1914
2/5 161 circa 1910s
2/5 162-163
Employees and patrons in the Niagara Restaurant at 210 Occidental Avenue
Printed on verso: Issei-owned restaurant. T. Tsukuno, T. Tomita, H. Fujii
June 25, 1910
2/6 164
Two Japanese men sitting on river bank
Handwritten on verso: By the waters of Hudson.
June 15, 1930
2/6 165 circa 1920s
2/6 166
Japanese man with baby on street
circa 1940s-1950s
2/6 167 circa 1940s-1950s
2/6 168
Japanese woman with baby on street
circa 1940s
2/6 169
Japanese woman in kimono
Accompanying material indicates the woman could be either Sumi Tani or Machiko Terada.
circa 1970s-1980s
2/6 170
Man kneeling in front of shrine
undated
2/6 171
Goon Dip and his family wearing Chinese imperial robes, Seattle or Portland
Goon Dip was the most influential Chinese person on the West Coast. He came to Portland, Oregon from China in 1876 at the age of 4. He was appointed the honorary Chinese consul for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
between 1908-1911
2/6 172 1966
2/6 173 circa 1910s-1920s
2/6 174
Group of sumo wrestlers in traditional dress
Tay Takano, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
1922
2/6 175
Shizuoka Prefecture Overseas Society Dinner
Toyo Photo Studio, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
March 10, 1933
California and Oregon
Box/Folder item
2/7 176a-187
Toyo Fisheries in Wilmington, California
Images depict plant operations including machinery and workers.
between 1918-1930
2/8 188 April 11, 1912
2/8 189 circa March 1912
2/8 190
Large group of Japanese people at train station with sumo wrestling champion Tochigiyama Moriya
Translated from Japanese characters on image: The former Yokozuna (highest rank of a sumo wrestler) Tochigiyama-zeki has arrived at Los Angeles, California.
February 8, 1927
Box/Folder item
2/8 191 circa 1920s
Chinatown Tour Research
Box/Folder item
2/9 192
Group of railroad workers in front of downed trees
undated
2/9 193
Group of men on stairs of house
undated
2/9 194
Explosion in Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Ephemera
Box/Folder item
2/10 195
Stock certificate issued by The Nippon Kan Company
Spetember 20, 1918
2/10 195a
Movie ticket for film shown at Minidoka Internment Camp
circa 1942-1945
2/10 196
Business card of Fukunaka Mataji of the Maru Building Art Museum in Tokyo, Japan
before 1940s
2/10 197
Temporary post exchange permit card for Toshio Sado
circa 1953-1955
2/10 198
United States Navy continuous sea service record book for Toshio Sado
1953-1955
2/10 199a-b
Movie tickets
Tickets are from a fundraising night for members of the Kenshu Eigakai (subscription movie club) of the Ginmon Gakuen (Golden Gate School) in San Francisco, California. All tickets are identical and printed in Japanese. Translation:As a Father, original novel by Kikuchi Kan (silent)People of Construction, original novel by Kume Masao (All talkie) Korui Sakashitagomon, original novel by Sasaki Mitsuzo (silent)True heart of a man, original novel by Tamagawa Eiji (All talkie) Narrators Tochuken Engiku and Tamae KazufumiOctober 24th (Saturday) and 25th (Sunday) at 7 p.m. at the Golden Gate School Hall1 ticket 1 adult, 75 cents Sponsored by Golden Gate School
circa July 10, 1938

General ResearchReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Seattle
Box/Folder item
2/11 200
Map of Japantown, Seattle
Labeled mostly in Japanese, with some English.
undated
XH3 201
Map of Japantown, Seattle
Labeled in Japanese and English.
Kazuo Ito (artist)
undated
XH3 202
Map of Japantowns in Seattle and Tacoma
Kazuo Ito (artist)
undated
2/11 203
Map of International District area
undated
2/11 204
Map of north section of International District
before 1962
XH3 205
Map of proposed layout for Interstate 5
circa February 17, 1959
2/12 206a-i
Architectural drawings of Nippon Kan Theatre
Thompson and Thompson Architects, Seattle, Washington (Architect)
circa 1909
2/12 207
Assessor's report of Nippon Kan Theatre
circa 1971
2/13 208
Aerial view of Fourth and Jackson area
between 1966-1970
2/13 209
Aerial view of Yesler and Interstate 5 area
probably between 1966-1970
2/13 210
Aerial view of downtown Seattle looking north from Interstate 5
Nippon Kan Theatre building is visible in the bottom left corner.
circa 1960s
2/13 211
Aerial view of International District area looking northeast
Ebert-Aerolist Photographers, Inc., Seattle, Washington (photographer)
Image shows part of Interstate 5 under construction near the Nippon Kan Theatre building.
February 18, 1966
2/13 212
Aerial view of Port of Seattle area
circa 1960s
2/13 213
Aerial view of Nippon Kan Theatre building area
Walker B. Associates, Inc., Seattle, Washington (Photographer)
1936
2/13 214
Aerial view of International District area
May 28, 1982
2/13 215-216 circa 1960s
2/13 217
Aerial view of Interstate 5 looking south from downtown area
Image depicts Interstate 90 interchange under construction with Lake Washington in the distance.
circa 1960-1970
2/13 218
Copy of line drawing of original Seattle settlement
W.D. Calvin, Seattle, Washington (artist)
1965
2/14 219
Oxen train hauling logs on the Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad, Seattle
1885
2/14 220
Pier below hillside with homes and businesses
Webster & Stevens (photographer)
circa 1900s
2/14 221
Man with pier and boats in distance
circa 1890s
2/14 222
Street and railroad tracks at Fourth Avenue south from Yesler
November 20, 1908
2/15 223
Japanese group seated at dining tables
circa July 10, 1960
2/15 224
Buildings at corner of 6th Avenue South and Jackson Street (409-415 6th Avenue South)
Visible business names are Welcome Hotel and Jackson Barber Shop.
circa 1910s-1920s
2/15 225 before 1925
2/15 226 March 14, 1978
2/15 227 March 14, 1978
2/15 228-229 March 14, 1978
2/15 230
Entrance to the North American Post offices, 517 South Main Street
probably March 14, 1978
2/15 231
Entrance to Main Drug, 514 South Main Street
probably March 14, 1978
2/15 232
Apartment building owned by Monroe family, Maynard Avenue South and Yesler Way
Written on verso: Apt house owned by Monroe family. N of Nippon Kan & east of Terrace View Apts.
circa 1950s-1960s
2/15 233 after 1910
2/15 234
Turner house, Maynard Avenue South and Yesler Way
This house was moved to another location in preparation for construction of Interstate 5 through downtown Seattle.
circa late 1950s-early 1960s
2/15 235
Turner house with young girl sitting in front
Photograph shows house windows boarded up with building debris alongside it. The house was moved to another location in preparation for construction of Interstate 5 through downtown Seattle.
early 1960s
2/15 236
Corner of Turner House next to the Monroe family apartment house
Written on verso: Turner House on left at s.w. corner. Intersection Maynard & Yesler n. of Nippon Kan.
circa late 1950s-early 1960s
Box/Folder item
2/16 237 circa 1910
Steamship departures
Box/Folder item
2/16 238-240
MS Tatsuta-maru departure celebration, Nippon Yusen Kaisha dock, Los Angeles
From translation of Japanese characters stamped on front: Commemorative photograph of steamship Tatsuta-maru's departure, Showa 6 December 7th.
December 7, 1931
2/16 241-242
Steamship departure celebration, Yokohama
From translation of Japanese characters handwritten on verso: Departure from the Port of Yokohama, Showa 9 March [illegible] 10:00 a.m.
March 1934
2/16 243-244
MS Chichibu-maru departure celebration, Los Angeles
From translation of Japanese characters handwritten on verso: Departure from Port [Los Angeles?] from the steamship Chichibu-maru, Showa 8 August 26th.
August 26, 1933
2/16 245
MS Chichibu-maru departure celebration, San Francisco
From translation of Japanese characters handwritten on verso: Departure from Port of San Francisco from the steamship Chichibu-maru, Showa 8 August 28th.
August 28, 1933

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Actors--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Actresses--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Geishas--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Japanese Americans--California--Photographs
  • Japanese Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Japanese Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Jōruri
  • Kabuki--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Playbills--Washington (State)--Seattle--Specimens
  • Shamisen players--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Shamisen--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Steamboats--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Sumo--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Theaters--Performances--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Theaters--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Nippon Kan Theatre (Seattle, Wash.)--Archives
  • Nippon Kan Theatre (Seattle, Wash.)--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • International District (Seattle, Wash.)--Maps
  • Seattle (Wash.)--Maps