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.
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.
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Ryan Chin, 2011-06-20.
Processed by Clare Tally-Foos, 2013; processing completed by Elizabeth Russell and Elizabeth Wessells, 2016.
Separated from
Includes Boy Scout drum and Bugle corps and groups holding signs from states including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Texas.
Group was at Paradise Cove for a boat ride and picnic.
Accompanying chart and list identify 61 of the attendees.
With copy negative.
Accompanying material identifies 33 individuals in larger group.
Accompanying photocopy identifies five individuals, including George Takei, in larger group.
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.
Includes list and overlay that identifies individuals
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.
Members hold signs saying Puyallup, Tacoma, White River, Portland, Mid-Columbia. Includes Boy Scout Seattle Area drum and bugle corps.
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.
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.
Item 26: Man standing at podium is identifed as Hiro Nishimura.
Printed contact sheets made from scanning the negatives are with collection.
May be same event as items 34-39.
Toshio Isogai was Japanese Consul General in Seattle 1982-1986.
With 10 prints.
The JAYs are the youth branch of the JACL.
Matsutake is an edible mushroom that is gathered in the fall.
In 1988, in conjunction with the JACL National Convention, the Seattle JAY hosted the National Youth Convention, August 5-10, 1988.
This is possibly the visit of officers from the Imperial
Japanese flagship and a Japanese naval training ship, the
This is the same image as PH Coll 1020.3.
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.
Individuals identified on paper accompanying photo.
Originally in envelope labeled Cherry Kinoshita.
Members hold signs saying Ontario, Portland, Spokane, Seattle, White River, Tacoma, Wapato
Possibly from two different bowling parties in 1988.