The collection consists of approximately 1,200 silver print photographs, housed in four photo albums. The photos measure in size from small snapshots up to 8x10 inch prints. The albums seem to have been compiled in the 1970s and, while they are not chronological, there does appear to be some thought put into the order of their compilation. For the most part, the photographs are cornered to the pages and removable, with the exception of collages that appear in the back of two of the albums.
The albums include individual and group portraits of the Yamaguchi family, friends, and community members in Berkeley, Chicago, and Japan. There are views of the Yamaguchis travels, such as excursions to Yosemite, the 1939 San Francisco World's Fair, a day-trip with friends in the company vehicle to the Berkeley Highlands, as well as a 1928 trip to Japan on the S. S. Kinyo Maru. There are also scenes of school days and graduations, events with local Methodist organizations, including the Berkeley Japanese Free Methodist Church and the Fifth Holiness Young People's Convention. Many of the photographs were taken by the Tsuji Studio, an Oakland-based photo firm active in the 1920s and 1930s, recognized for its accomplished portraiture.
According to U.S. Census records, Jinshichi Yamaguchi (November 26, 1886-March 13, 1942) came to the U.S. in 1903, and his wife, Kiku (née Sakabara) (October 21, 1888-March 16, 1982), in 1914. Jinschichi worked for the Ohio Laundry and Renovatory, which was located at 2340 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, California. Present in the collection are photos of the Ohio Laundry exterior, as well as the company's tuck and horse-drawn carriage. The laundry was at one point run by Harry T. Haygan, born Tsumataro Hiraiwa, who operated a boarding house out of the building as well. On the 1920 census, however, Jinshichi states that his occupation with the business was "proprietor."
The Yamaguchis had two daughters, Atsuno (1920-October 9, 2010) and Yaho (March 1, 1916-February 24, 2019), and the family's life in the Bay Area is documented throughout collection.
Jinshichi passed away in 1942. At the onset of World War II, Kiku, Atsuno, and Yaho were forcibly relocated to the Topaz internment camp near Delta, Utah. Photographic material related to their time there includes views of the Topaz Methodist Church and its members, interior scenes of a funeral in camp, an 8x10 inch photograph of the sun through the clouds, and photo postcards of the camp. After the war, the family moved to Chicago. Yaho would go on to marry Robert Fujii. There are photographs of his life, graduation from law school, his marriage to Yaho, and their life together until his death in 1972.
This collection is arranged in its original order across 4 scrapbooks and a folder containing additional photos. The books and their pages have been numbered for easy identification.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Yamaguchi Family Photographs must be obtained from the
Purchased from the Daniel / Oliver Gallery on April 28, 2022.
Individuals and topics identified include Shigetom, A. 01:038; Shushi, Tsau Tommei 01:060; Kanehare, K. 01:063; Namura, Mary 01:068; Harano 01:072; Hayashi, Kinuko 01:094; Kenaga, Keyoshi 01:098; Kenaga, Muni 01:098; Kenaga, Suako 01:098; Kenaga, Yuki 01:098; Wakasu 01:100 and 01:104; Teranishi, Tom 01:103; Tsuji 01:106; Yoshine 01:107; Wakasa 01:108; Bobby 01:116; Keshigeyama 01:117; Kanehara, K. 01:120; Kushida, James and Mary 01:120; Topaz 01:122; Topaz Protestant Church, 01:126
Individuals and topics identified include Yamamoto, Mukden (1921) 02:11; Kameshima T. 02:60
Individuals and topics identified include Swatsuki, S. 03:055; Janada, Kimi 03:066; Hayashi, Takito 03:066; Austin 03:070; Saly, Yuhi, Sumy 03:077; Fujii, Hironori 03:110; Koehne 03:117
Individuals and topics identified include Kuzahara, Chiaki and Kate 04:022; Inouye, David William 04:024; Skindo, T. K. 04:038; Namara, Glenn 04:039; Namara, Susan 04:039; Taugawa Family 04:043 and 04:046; Robinson, Larry, Norma, Jim, and Midge 04:059; Margaret Ann, James Lawn 04:059; Mayor Richard J. Daley and Family 04:062; Hisa, Henry, and Diane Mizusami 04:064; Douglas, David and Debbie 04:067; Kittaka, Craig, Jami, and Martie 04:069; Bohlen, Wayne, Sharon, and Christopher 04:069; Fay, Bruce and Earl 04:073; Bain, Akiko, Beth, Tina, Alec, Machlachlan 04:080; Ean Arth and Mindy Hanna 04:093; Norita, Paul and Susan 04:097; Topaz Internment Camp 04:109-112. Box contains additional folder of photos that have been rehoused in mylar sleeves.