Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Japanese American Citizens League photograph collection, 1935-1990
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Japanese American Citizens League photograph collection
- Dates
- 1935-1990 (inclusive)19351990
- Quantity
-
59 photographic prints ; sizes vary
131 negatives ; 35mm
186 color slides ; 35mm - Collection Number
- PH0732
- Summary
- Group photographs of Japanese American Citizens League members at conventions, photographs of Japanese American Citizens League members and Japanese community members at official events and social events
- 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.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
The Seattle Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) served as the voice of the Nisei (second generation Japanese community) in the Seattle area. The members (primarily professionals) tended to be proud of their American citizenship, and aimed to promote good citizenship and active participation in civic life. Organized in 1921 as Seattle Progressive Citizens' League, it became the Seattle Chapter of JACL in 1930.
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Seattle Chapter met to organize an Emergency Defense Council composed of the presidents of many Nisei organizations. When incarceration in internment camps became inevitable, the Seattle Chapter began to cooperate with the War Relocation Authority in organizing the movement of Japanese citizens to the Puyallup Assembly Center (Camp Harmony). James Sakamoto, Chairman of the Emergency Defense Council, became Chief Supervisor of the Japanese staff at the Puyllup Assembly Center.
The Seattle Chapter was inactive during the period immediately following the war, but was formally reactivated in 1948. During the 1950s and 1960s, the JACL became involved in civil and human rights issues. Seattle Chapter members participated in the statewide effort to eliminate the 1899 Alien Land Law from the Washington state constitution. The Alien Land Law prohibited Asians from owning land. In 1966, SJR 20 passed as an amendment to the constitution.
In 1962, the seventeenth national JACL Biennial Convention was held in Seattle.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs of Japanese American Citizens League members at conventions and other events, Japanese American community events and celebrations, and other Japanese American organizations such as the Young People's Christian Conference.
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
Ryan Chin, 2011-06-20.
Processing Note
Processed by Clare Tally-Foos, 2013; processing completed by Elizabeth Russell and Elizabeth Wessells, 2016.
Separated Materials
Separated from Japanese American Citizens League, Seattle Chapter records, MSS Collection #0217 .
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
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National JACL ConventionsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
1934 Convention |
|||
mapcase | item | ||
M273 | 1 |
Panoramic group portrait at the Third
Biennial National JACL Convention, San Francisco, California Includes Boy Scout drum and Bugle corps and groups holding
signs from states including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and
Texas.
|
August 31, 1934 |
M273 | 2 |
Panoramic group portrait from Third
Biennial JACL National Convention at Paradise Cove, San Francisco,
California Group was at Paradise Cove for a boat ride and picnic.
|
September 2, 1934 |
1936 Convention |
|||
mapcase | item | ||
M273 | 3 |
Panoramic group portrait at the
Fourth Biennial JACL National Convention, Seattle, Washington Ochi Studios, Seattle (photographer)
Accompanying chart and list identify 61 of the attendees.
|
September 5, 1936 |
Box/Folder | |||
1/1 | 4 |
Presentation in Seattle Chamber of Commerce during
1936 JACL National Convention R.S. Ochi Studio (photographer)
With copy negative.
|
1936 |
mapcase | item | ||
M271 | 5 |
Panorama of group at the sixth biennial
National JACL Convention, Portland, Oregon Photo-Art Studios-Mentzer, Portland (photographer)
Accompanying material identifies 33 individuals in larger
group.
|
August 28-September 2, 1940 |
1954 Convention |
|||
mapcase | item | ||
M271 | 6 | September 2-6, 1954 | |
box:oversize | |||
XH6 | 7 | September 6, 1954 | |
mapcase | item | ||
M271 | 8 | Panorama of group at 22nd Biennial JACL National
Convention, Washington, D.C. Accompanying photocopy identifies five individuals, including
George Takei, in larger group.
|
June 29, 1972 |
1988 Convention |
|||
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/6 | 9 |
Photograph of ticket to the opening banquet of the
1988 JACL National Convention in Seattle, WA 1 : color slide
At the 1988 Convention, the Seattle Chapter of the JACL
attempted to pass Resolution 7, which called for the JACL to apologize to those
in the community harmed during World War II by those "working independently and
in the name of the JACL." This laid the ground work for the Lim Report.
|
August 7, 1988 |
1/6 | 10-16 |
1988 JACL National Convention opening
banquet 7 : color slides
|
1988 |
1/6 | 17-18 | 1988 |
Northwest District JACL ConventionsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
box:oversize | item | ||
XH6 | 19 |
Panoramic group portrait at the Second Northwest
District Japanese-American Citizens League Convention, Portland, Oregon (Acme
11661) ACME Commercial Studio, Portland (photographer)
Includes list and overlay that identifies individuals
|
September 4, 1933 |
XH6 | 20 |
Panoramic group portrait at the Third
Biennial Northwest District convention of the Japanese American Citizens
League, Kent, Washington (Melin 5905) Melin, Auburn,
Washington (photographer)
Labels with handwritten names are affixed to duplicate photo.
They are difficult to read and are possibly: Tazuko Yamada Yoshimura, Utaka
[illeg], Mary Marumoto, Jim Hong, Sumi Kabegoni, Yoshiko Morishita, Takeo
Morishita, Matoho Yamanada, Natsuko Wakeshugi, Wahasugi, Shea Aoki, Frank
Santo, Jiro Aoki, Clarence Arai.Members hold signs saying Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, Puyallup,
Mid-Columbia.Written on verso: Stan Aoki, Jiro Aoki, 3007 33 Ave So. Seattle,
Wa. 98144.
|
September 2, 1935 |
XH6 | 21 |
Panoramic group portrait at the Fifth
Biennial Northwest District Council Convention of the Japanese American
Citizens League, Tacoma, Washington Associated Photographic Service, Tacoma (photographer)
Members hold signs saying Puyallup, Tacoma, White River,
Portland, Mid-Columbia. Includes Boy Scout Seattle Area drum and bugle
corps.
|
September 3-4, 1936 |
XH6 | 22 |
Panoramic group portrait of Northwest
District Council members of the Japanese American Citizens League in front of
Yakima Courthouse entrance, Yakima, Washington Baker,
Yakima (photographer)
Members hold signs saying Yakima, Puyallup Valley, Portland,
Mid-Columbia, Northwest District Council Hdqs., Seattle, Valley Civic League,
Hoot, Owl.Note on verso suggests that this Council gathering was circa
1936. This seems unlikely since the Council Convention of 1936 was held in
Tacoma.
|
circa 1930s |
XH6 | 23 |
Panoramic group portrait at the Sixth
Biennial Northwest District council convention of the Japanese American
Citizens League R.S. Ochi Studio,
Seattle (photographer)
Members hold signs saying Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Puyallup,
White River, Mid-Columbia, Yakima. Includes Portland Boy Scout drum and bugle
corps. Names are handwritten on duplicate photo. They are difficult to read and
are possibly: Sum Shape, [illeg]ukio Nagasaki, Jiro Aoki.
|
August 30-September 1, 1941 |
JACL banquets and other eventsReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
50th Anniversary Banquet |
|||
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/1 | 24 | October 30, 1971 | |
1/1 | 25 | October 30, 1971 | |
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/1 | 26-28 |
1978 JACL Installation Banquet, probably at Bush Garden
Restaurant, Seattle Item 26: Man standing at podium is identifed as Hiro
Nishimura.
|
January 1978 |
1/1 | 29-33 | 1978 JACL Installation Banquet, probably at Bush Garden
Restaurant, Seattle 20 : Black and white 35 mm negatives
68 : Color 35mm negatives
Printed contact sheets made from scanning the negatives are
with collection.
|
January 1978 |
1/2 | 34-39 | circa 1980 | |
1/2 | 40 | Banquet at the Double Tree Plaza Hotel,
Seattle 26 : Color 35mm negatives
May be same event as items 34-39.
|
circa 1980 |
1/3 | 41 |
Japanese Consul General Toshio Isogai, Ruthann Kurose,
Tomio Moriguchi, and Cherry Kinoshita at event in honor of the
consul Toshio Isogai was Japanese Consul General in Seattle
1982-1986.
|
circa 1982-1986 |
1/3 | 42 | 1983 | |
1/3 | 43-44 | 1988 | |
1/3 | 45-48 | January 1993 | |
1995 JACL Installation Banquet |
|||
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/3 | 49 | 1995 | |
1/3 | 50 | 1995 | |
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/4 | 51 | 1997 | |
1/5 | 52 | undated |
JAY EventsReturn to Top
The JAYs are the youth branch of the JACL.
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/6 | 53-56 |
JAY Officer Retreat 4 : color slides
|
September 1987 |
1/6 | 57-58 | 1987 | |
1/6 | 59-68 |
Preparing dinner, possibly for Thanksgiving
celebration 10 : color slides
|
1987 |
1/6 | 69-74 |
JAY End of Year Party 6 : color slides
|
1987 |
1/6 | 75-78 | JAY Calendar Night 4 : color slides
|
1987 |
JAY annual dance |
|||
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/6 | 79-81 |
Preparations for the dance 3 : color slides
|
Spring 1988 |
1/6 | 82-84 |
People playing ping-pong 3 : color slides
|
Spring 1988 |
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/6 | 85-87 | JAY event 3 : color slides
|
Spring 1988 |
1/6 | 88-91 |
Probably Apple Blossom Festival parade,
Wenatchee 4 : color slides
|
Spring 1988 |
1/6 | 92-100 |
JAY Easter Egg Hunt 9 : color slides
|
April 2, 1988 |
1/6 | 101-110 |
JAY carwash fundraiser 10 : color slides
|
May or June 1988 |
National Youth Convention Leadership Conference
In 1988, in conjunction with the JACL National Convention, the
Seattle JAY hosted the National Youth Convention, August 5-10, 1988.
|
|||
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/6 | 111-133 |
Conference and social activities 23 : color slides
|
August 1988 |
1/6 | 134-140 |
Officer election event and Rap Session
posters 7 : color slides
|
August 1988 |
1/6-1/7 | 141-170 |
Picnic at Gas Works Park 30 : color slides
|
August 7, 1988 |
1/7 | 171-174 |
Woodland Park Zoo excursion 4 : color slides
|
August 8, 1988 |
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/7 | 175-176 |
JAY bike trip 2 : color slides
|
1988 |
1/7 | 177-180 |
Evening parade with floats 4 : color slides
|
1988 |
Japanese communityReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
mapcase | item | ||
M273 | 181 | 1929 | |
Box/Folder | |||
1/5 | 182 |
Group outside R.H. & P. Building S. Ochi Studios Seattle (photographer)
|
September 7, 1931 |
mapcase | |||
M273 | 183 |
Panorama of large group of children and
adults at official event, Tacoma, Washington (Boland E2667) Boland, Tacoma (photographer)
This is possibly the visit of officers from the Imperial
Japanese flagship and a Japanese naval training ship, the Yakumo and Iwate. The ships
came to Tacoma on April 1, 1933 and stayed several days. They were open for
tours and drew large crowds. Over 1500 men on the ships were allowed leave in
Tacoma. The photographer's number on the photograph indicates that it was made
during this time period. This is the same image as PH Coll 1020.3.
|
1933 |
Young People's Christian Conference (YPCC) Group
Photos The YPCC, organized in 1920, arranged for social gatherings of
young Japanese American Christians. The group ceased to exist due to Japanese
internment in WWII, but was the precursor to later social organizations for
Japanese American young people of Christian faith.
|
|||
box:oversize | item | ||
XH6 | 184 |
Panoramic group portrait of YPCC members Jackson Studio, Seattle (photographer)
|
December 2, 1933 |
XH6 | 185 |
Panoramic group portrait of YPCC members Jackson Studio, Seattle
|
December 1, 1934 |
XH6 | 186 |
Panoramic group portrait at 6th Annual
YPCC Takano Studio, Seattl [sic] (photographer)
|
November 30, 1935 |
XH6 | 187 | November 26, 1938 | |
Box/Folder | item | ||
1/5 | 188 |
Sixteen men and women at social
gathering, some holding balloons Individuals identified on paper accompanying photo.
|
circa 1930s |
1/5 | 189 |
Family in park, probably related to
Cherry Kinoshita Originally in envelope labeled Cherry Kinoshita.
|
circa 1950s |
box:oversize | |||
XH6 | 190 |
Group at the eleventh Northwest Youth
Buddhist League (N.W.Y.B.L.) convention in Ontario, Oregon Harano, Ontario (photographer)
Members hold signs saying Ontario, Portland, Spokane, Seattle,
White River, Tacoma, Wapato
|
February 14-16, 1958 |
Box/Folder | |||
1/5 | 191-196 | circa 1980s | |
1/7 | 197-205 |
Bowling party, probably organized by JACL or
JAYs 9 : color slides
Possibly from two different bowling parties in 1988.
|
August 1988 |
1/7 | 206-244 | circa 1990 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Communities--Washington (State)--Photographs
- Dinners and dining--Washington (State)
- Japanese Americans--Children--Washington (State)--Photographs
- Japanese Americans--Washington (State)--Photographs
- Photographs--Specimens
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Corporate Names
- Japanese American Citizens' League--Congresses--Photographs
- Japanese American Citizens' League--Photographs
- Young People's Christian Conference
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)--Photographs