Koito Family photograph album, between 1910 and 1940

Overview of the Collection

Title
Koito Family photograph album
Dates
between 1910 and 1940 (inclusive)
Quantity
179 photographic prints (1 box and 1 folder) ; sizes vary
Collection Number
PH0185
Summary
Photographs of a Japanese-American family, including portraits in traditional Japanese dress and Western dress
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

Selections from 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.

Some pages of the album were torn or unattached. Photos were falling out of the album and it was deteriorating, so all of the photographs have been removed and enclosed in plastic sleeves or envelopes, and the original order maintained.

Additional Reference Guides

Languages
English

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Album of photographs of members of the Japanese-American community in early 20th-century Seattle, including portraits in traditional Japanese and Western dress. Several photographs are autographed to Mr. or Mrs. Fujita.

This collection may be related to the Fujita family album. There is no information on the Koito family as a donor or actually appearing within this album. The Koito family and the Fujita family were possibly neighbors. According to the census records of 1910 they both lived between 5th Avenue South and Jackson Street. In the census Koito is referred to as "Mr. C Koito" and "Mrs. C Koito". This corner of downtown Seattle is part of the current International District and historically was home to many Japanese American families.

This collection appears to concern multiple members of the Seattle Japanese-American community in the early 20th century. Items include family, graduation, wedding and individual portraits, and portrayals of family life and events. There are also postcards and possible letters between Japan and the United States.

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

Preservation Note

Some pages of the album were torn or unattached. Photos were falling out of the album and it was deteriorating, so all of the photographs have been removed and enclosed in plastic sleeves or envelopes, and the original order maintained.

Processing Note

Processed by: Jaki Parsons, May 2013; Tori Hanson, August 2017; Rose Strickman, May 2018.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Koito Family Photograph AlbumReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/1 1-1a between 1910 and 1930?
1/1 1-1b
Studio portrait of Japanese couple
Aiko Studio, Seattle (photographer)
between 1910 and 1930?
1/2 1-2a between 1910 and 1930?
1/2 1-2b
Newspaper clipping from The Seattle Times with obituary of Josephine Kennedy, wife of H.B. Kennedy
May 4, 1915
1/3 1-3a
Studio portrait of Kennedy family including H.B. Kennedy, Carl A. Hoffman (grandson of Josephine Kennedy), Josephine Kennedy and Ina Hoffman (Mrs. Kennedy's daughter)
James & Bushnell, Seattle (photographer)
Ina Hoffman was the daughter of Josephine Kennedy. H.B Kennedy was her stepfather.
between 1910 and 1915
1/3 1-3b between 1920 and 1949
1/4 1-4a between 1910 and 1939
1/4 1-4b between 1910 and 1939
1/5 1-5a between 1920 and 1929?
1/5 1-5b-5c between 1920 and 1929?
1/6 1-6a between 1920 and 1929?
1/6 1-6b between 1920 and 1929?
1/6 1-6c between 1920 and 1929?
1/7 1-7a between 1920 and 1929?
1/7 1-7b between 1920 and 1929?
1/8 1-8a between 1920 and 1939?
1/8 1-8b between 1920 and 1939?
1/8 1-8c
Three men standing in front of the Warren G. Harding Monument at the Woodland Zoo, Seattle, WA
The Warren G. Harding monument built in 1925 and demolished in the late 1970s when it was buried beneath the modern savannah exhibit.
between 1925 and 1939?
1/1 1-8d between 1920 and 1939?
1/9 1-9a between 1920 and 1939?
1/9 1-9b between 1920 and 1939?
1/9 1-9c between 1920 and 1939?
1/10 1-10a between 1920 and 1939?
1/10 1-10b between 1920 and 1939?
1/10 1-10c between 1920 and 1939?
1/11 1-11a
Studio portrait of A.Y. Sakuma
Written on photo: A.Y. Sakuma, February 13th, 1927, Seattle, WA.
February 13, 1927
1/11 1-11b between 1920 and 1939?
1/12 1-12 between 1920 and 1939?
1/13 1-13a between 1920 and 1939?
1/13 1-13b between 1920 and 1939?
1/13 1-13c between 1920 and 1939?
1/13 1-13d between 1920 and 1939?
1/14 1-14a between 1920 and 1939?
1/14 1-14b between 1920 and 1939?
1/14 1-14c between 1920 and 1939?
1/15 1-15a
Three men standing in front of the Warren G. Harding monument at the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA
The Warren G. Harding monument built in 1925 and demolished in the late 1970s when it was buried beneath the present savannah exhibit.
between 1925 and 1939?
1/15 1-15b between 1920 and 1939?
1/15 1-15c between 1920 and 1939?
1/16 1-16 between 1920 and 1939?
1/17 1-17a between 1920 and 1939?
1/17 1-17b between 1920 and 1939?
1/17 1-17c between 1920 and 1939?
1/17 1-17d between 1920 and 1939?
1/18 1-18 between 1920 and 1939?
1/19 1-19
Puget Sound Power & Light Co. advertisement with picture of a waterfall
Printed on front: "We hope you will assist us in keeping this park attractive; and if you have enjoyed your outing here, bear us in mind when you need electric service." Further text on back.
between 1920 and 1929?
1/20 1-20a
Japanese doctor in front of window in laboratory or operating room
Japanese characters on windows possibly read "healing."
between 1920 and 1939?
1/20 1-20b between 1920 and 1939?
1/20 1-20c between 1920 and 1939?
1/21 1-21a between 1920 and 1939?
1/21 1-21b between 1920 and 1939?
1/21 1-21c between 1920 and 1939?
1/22 1-22a between 1920 and 1939?
1/22 1-22b between 1920 and 1939?
1/23 1-23a between 1920 and 1939?
1/23 1-23b between 1920 and 1939?
1/23 1-23c between 1920 and 1939?
1/23 1-23d between 1920 and 1939?
1/24 1-24a between 1920 and 1939?
1/24 1-24b between 1910 and 1939
1/25 1-25a between 1910 and 1939
1/25 1-25b between 1920 and 1939?
1/25 1-25c between 1920 and 1939?
1/26 1-26a between 1920 and 1939?
1/26 1-26b between 1910 and 1939
1/26 1-26c between 1920 and 1929?
1/26 1-26d 1908?
Folder
1 1-27
Studio graduation portrait of Japanese man
Japanese characters written on front of item.
between 1910 and 1939
Box/Folder
1/27 1-28 between 1910 and 1939
1/28 1-29a
Studio portrait of a Japanese couple
Jackson Studio, Seattle (Photographer)
between 1910 and 1939
1/28 1-29b between 1910 and 1939
1/29 1-30a between 1910 and 1939
1/29 1-30b between 1910 and 1939
Folder
1 1-31
Signed studio portrait of A. Fernandez
Written on front of item: Sincerely, A. Fernandez.
between 1910 and 1939
Box/Folder
1/30 1-32a between 1910 and 1939
1/30 1-32b between 1910 and 1939
1/30 1-32c between 1910 and 1939
1/31 1-33a between 1910 and 1939
1/31 1-33b between 1910 and 1939
1/31 1-33c between 1910 and 1939
1/31 1-33d
Japanese toddler in traditional clothing holding doll
Japanese characters written on back of item.
between 1910 and 1939
1/31 1-33e
Young girl, possibly Mabel Chinn, standing next to house
Written on back of item: Mabel Chinn.
between 1910 and 1939
1/32 1-34a between 1910 and 1939
1/32 1-34b between 1920 and 1929?
1/33 1-35a between 1910 and 1939
1/33 1-35b between 1910 and 1939
1/33 1-35c between 1910 and 1939
1/34 1-36
Studio graduation portrait of a Japanese man
Tay Takano, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
between 1920 and 1929?
1/35 1-37
Japanese building and bridge with four deer sitting in foreground
Japanese characters printed on front of item. This is a postcard addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Fujita 1418 ½ Jackson St. Seattle, WA USA". The postcard was sent from Japan and possibly mentions a visit on Christmas and best wishes to everyone.
1912
1/36 1-38a between 1920 and 1939?
1/36 1-38b between 1920 and 1929?
1/36 1-38c between 1910 and 1939
1/37 1-39a between 1920 and 1929?
1/37 1-39b between 1920 and 1929?
1/37 1-39c between 1920 and 1939
1/37 1-39d between 1920 and 1939
1/38 1-40a between 1930 and 1939
1/38 1-40b between 1930 and 1939
1/39 1-41 between 1920 and 1939
1/40 1-42 between 1910 and 1939
1/41 1-43a between 1930 and 1939
1/41 1-43b
Two Japanese men in graduation robes, signed A.Y Sakuma, Seattle, WA
Written on front of item: A.Y Sakuma June 1924 Seattle.
June 1924
1/42 1-44a between 1920 and 1929?
1/42 1-44b
Studio graduation portrait of Japanese woman, signed Chiye Shigimura
Toyo Studio (Photographer)
Probably Chiye Shigimura who graduated from the University of Washington in 1926.
1926
1/43 1-45a
Cut out of child's coloring book drawing of a rabbit eating a carrot, colored with crayon
Written on back of item: 1935. Jan. 24, 12. Cujako.
January 24, 1935
1/43 1-45b between 1910 and 1939
1/43 1-45c
Pencil drawing of Betty Boop
March 8, 1934
1/44 1-46a between 1910 and 1939
1/44 1-46b between 1910 and 1939
1/44 1-46c
Studio portrait of Asako Kodama
Takano Studio, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
Written on front of item: To Mr & Mrs Fujita Sincerely Asako Kodama.
between 1930 and 1949
1/45 1-47a between 1930 and 1949
1/45 1-47b between 1930 and 1949
1/46 1-48a
Studio portrait of young Japanese woman
Corner of item has writing that has been cut off, possibly "Mrs. F"
between 1930 and 1949
1/46 1-48b between 1930 and 1949
Folder
1 1-49
Studio wedding portrait of Japanese couple
Takano Studio, Seattle (Photographer)
between 1930 and 1949
Box/Folder
1/47 1-50
Studio portrait of Japanese couple
R. Uchida, Kofu (Photographer)
between 1930 and 1949
1/48 1-51a between 1930 and 1949
1/48 1-51b between 1930 and 1949
1/49 1-52a
Three Japanese children with bicycle
Six Japanese characters written on front of item. May read: Jito and Saburo. Japanese script written on verso of item.
between 1930 and 1949
1/49 1-52b
Three Japanese children sitting on porch
Japanese script written on verso.
between 1930 and 1949
1/50 1-53a between 1930 and 1949
1/50 1-53b between 1930 and 1949
1/50 1-53c
Japanese toddler in traditional Japanese kimono
Japanese characters written on verso.
between 1930 and 1949
1/50 1-53d between 1930 and 1949
1/50 1-53e
Studio portrait of Japanese man
Written on front of item: To Mr. Fujita, Best wishes. - Ichiro.
between 1930 and 1949
1/51 1-54a between 1930 and 1949
1/51 1-54b
Studio portrait of Japanese woman with two Japanese toddlers
Jackson Studio, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
between 1930 and 1949
1/52 1-55 between 1920 and 1939
1/53 1-56a between 1920 and 1939
1/53 1-56b between 1920 and 1929?
1/53 1-56c between 1920 and 1929?
Box
1/54 1-57a between 1910 and 1929?
1/54 1-57b between 1910 and 1939
1/54 1-57c between 1910 and 1939
Box/Folder
1/55 1-58a between 1920 and 1939
1/55 1-58b between 1910 and 1939
1/56 1-59a-59b between 1925 and 1935
1/57 1-60a between 1910 and 1939
1/57 1-60b between 1910 and 1939
1/58 1-61
Studio portrait of Japanese family
Sato (Photographer)
Son is possibly George Miyagawa seen in 71a.
between 1910 and 1939
Folder
1 1-62 between 1910 and 1939
Box/Folder
1/59 1-63a between 1910 and 1939
1/59 1-63b between 1910 and 1939
1/59 1-63c between 1910 and 1939
1/59 1-63d
Studio graduation portrait of K. Shimura
The Victor Photo Studio, New York (Photographer)
Written on front of item: K. Shimura June 2, 1926 New York
June 2, 1926
1/60 1-64
Studio portrait of Japanese man
Jackson Studio, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
between 1910 and 1939
1/61 1-65a between 1910 and 1939
1/61 1-65b between 1910 and 1939
1/62 1-66a
Studio portrait of an older Japanese woman and a young Japanese woman
Shufunotomo, Shashinkan (Photographer)
Shufunotomo was a woman's magazine in Japan founded in 1917
between 1930 and 1949
1/62 1-66b
Studio portrait of a young Japanese woman
K. Matsui Studio, Okubo, Tokyo, Japan (Photographer)
between 1910 and 1939
1/63 1-67a between 1910 and 1939
1/63 1-67b between 1910 and 1939
1/63 1-67c
Studio portrait of a Japanese man
Written on front of item: S. Teramura
between 1910 and 1939
1/64 1-68a
Studio portrait of a young Japanese boy, George Miyagawa
Ochi Studio, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
Written on front of item: George Miyagawa 1926
1926
1/64 1-68b
Studio portrait of a Japanese man holding diploma
Jackson Studio, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
between 1910 and 1939
1/65 1-69a between 1910 and 1939
1/65 1-69b between 1910 and 1939
Folder
1 1-70a
Studio portrait of older Caucasian woman with young Japanese boy and Japanese woman
Young boy may be George Miyagawa, from item 71a, and his mother from item 63.
between 1910 and 1939
Box/Folder
1/66 1-70b between 1910 and 1939
1/67 1-71a between 1920 and 1929
1/67 1-71b
Studio portrait of Japanese baby in kimono
Written on front of item: To Mr. & Mrs. T. Fujita From Toshio Akamatsu 4 months old.
between 1910 and 1939
1/68 1-72
Studio graduation portrait
Jackson Studio, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
Written on front of item: A. Y. Sakuma To Mr. and Mrs. Fujita.
between 1910 and 1939
1/69 1-73a between 1910 and 1939
1/69 1-73b
Studio graduation portrait of Japanese man
Toyo Studio, Seattle, WA (Photographer)
between 1910 and 1939
1/70 1-74a Christmas, between 1920 and 1929
1/70 1-74b between 1910 and 1939

Loose PhotographsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/71 2 between 1910 and 1939
1/71 3 between 1910 and 1939
1/71 4 between 1910 and 1939
1/72 5 between 1910 and 1939
1/72 6 between 1910 and 1939
1/72 7
Studio portrait of baby
Ishii (Photographer)
Written on photograph: To Oba San (which translates to Auntie in Japanese) From Toshio Akamatsu
between 1910 and 1939
1/72 8 between 1910 and 1939

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Japanese-Americans--Family--Photographs
  • Japanese-Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)