WAUJapaneseLanguageSchoolTacomaPHColl1020.xmlGuide to the Photographs of the Tacoma Japanese Language School and Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church 1927 - 1949Tacoma Japanese Language School and Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist ChurchSpecial Collections, University of Washington Libraries© 2013 (Last modified: 2/16/2024)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English.Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).University of Washington Libraries, Special CollectionsPH1020Photographs of the Tacoma Japanese Language School and Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church1927 - 194910 photographic prints (7 folders) ; sizes varyCollection materials are in English.Panoramic photographs of students at the Tacoma Japanese Language School and of Japanese community members of the Hongwanji Buddhist Church

Mr. Masato Yamasaki and Mrs. Kuni Yamasaki founded the Tacoma Japanese Language School in 1911. They rented a house at 411 S. 15th Street Tacoma, WA for $18 and had two students. Students learned Japanese language and culture after their public school classes had finished for the day. Over time, the school added courses teaching English to Japanese language speakers, and their enrollment grew to over 200 students. The school was located at 1715 S Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma, WA. During the second world war, Mr. and Mrs. Yamasaki were sent to internment camps. Sadly, Mr. Yamasaki died while interned after an extended illness. Mrs. Yamasaki returned and lived until 1946. The school closed in the 1940's and the building fell into disrepair. It was on the National Register of Historic Places. The property is now owned by the University of Washington. The structure was demolished but a memorial was placed on the site.

The Tacoma Hongwanji (Hongan-ji) Buddhist Church belongs to the Jodo Shinshu Nishi Hongwanji tradition and is a member of the Buddhist Churches of America, headquartered in San Francisco, California. Origins of the Tacoma congregation began in the early 20th century and formed by celebrating families hosting Rev. Hoshin Fujii (Seattle) to teach in their stores and residences between 1910 and 1915. Increasing membership, and a tragic fire lead to congregation members, including Masataka Fujimoto (President of the church council), to raise funds to find a temple location within Tacoma. A section of a preexisting building, the Columbus Hotel, at 1556 Market Street was leased and remodeled. On April 8, 1919, during the Hanamatsuri celebration, the Church was officially registered as a member of the Buddhist Mission of North America. After fundraising in the difficult financial environment of the Great Depression; groundbreaking began in September, 1930 at 17th & Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma to build the two story brick building with a basement for an auditorium, basketball gym, and banquet hall represented within the photographs. According to Tacoma Buddhist Temple information, on February 28, March l, and March 2, 1931, ceremonies were conducted to celebrate the completion of the first major project of the Tacoma Japanese community with parades from the 1556 Markey location to 17th and Fawcett led by Rev. Jokatsu Yukawa. The building currently holds the congregation.

Panoramic photographs of students and faculty in front of the Tacoma Japanese Language School and of Japanese community members in front of the Hongwanji Buddhist Church. Four of the photographs are large panormas probably made by a Cirkut camera and four are banquet camera sized photographs

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The collection was given to the University of Washington, Tacoma in 2003 and transferred to the UW Libraries in 2011.

Donor:Tadaye Fujimoto Kawasaki, 2003.

Processed by Emily Bailey and Amber Duginske-Rohl; processing completed in 2012.

Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)PhotographsJapanese AmericansTacoma

 

Tacoma Japanese Language SchoolXH61Group of students and faculty outside the rear of the Tacoma Japanese Language School (Boland E2025)May 22, 1927Boland, Tacoma, WA

Written on photo: Tacoma Kokugo Gakko Kenchiku Kinen Narabina Shugiyoshiki. May 22nd, 1927. Translation: Commemoration of the construction of the school and closing ceremony for the end of the school year. Written on verso: Fujimoto.

M2732Large group of students and faculty outside the front of the Tacoma Japanese Language School on the 20th anniversary of the schoolAugust 30, 1931Chapin Bowen Inc. Tacoma, WA

Written in Japanese (translation): 20th anniversary of the Tacoma Japanese Language School taken August 30, 1931.

 M2733Large group of students, faculty, and visiting military officers standing outside the front of the Tacoma Japanese Language School1933?Boland, Tacoma, WA

Written on photo: Photograph commemorating the visit of military officers to Tacoma, WA. Fujimoto.

This is possibly the visit of officers from the Imperial Japanese flagship and a Japanese naval training ship, theYakumoandIwate.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.

Photograph also in PH 732 Japanese American Citizen's League photographs.

XH64Large group of students and adults in front of the Tacoma Japanese Language School gathered to celebrate the visit of Duke TokugawaMarch 4, 1934Boland, Tacoma, WA

Written on photo in Japanese: SHoWA 9-NEN 3-GATSU 4-KA TOGUGAWA KoSHAKU KAKKA GOSHI KINEN SATUEI Translation: Commemorating the visit of his excellency Duke Tokugawa to Tacoma, WA on March 4, 1934. Handwritten on verso in Japanese: Fujimoto.

M2715Large group of students and faculty kneeling and standing outside the front of the Tacoma Japanese Language SchoolMay 23, 1937

Handwritten on verso: HATA

XH66Large group of students and faculty of the Tacoma Japanese Language School on stage in costumebetween 1927 and 1949?

Possibly a talent show/performing arts presentation at the school. Handwritten in Japanese on verso: Hata Gakugeikai. Translation: Talent show.

K9007Large group of students and faculty of the Tacoma Japanese Language School in formal attireundated K9008Group of children on stageundatedTacoma Studio, Tacoma, WA

Written on verso: Fujimoto.

Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist ChurchM2739Panorama of large group at Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church for ceremony commemorating the installation of the Buddha statue in the churchMarch 1, 1931 XH610Funeral group with coffin in front of the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Churchbetween 1934 and 1949?Associated Photographic Service, Tacoma, WA

Written in Japanese on verso: Yamasaki Sensei onna