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Photographs of the Seattle Japanese American Community, approximately 1910-1949

Overview of the Collection

Title
Photographs of the Seattle Japanese American Community
Dates
approximately 1910-1949 (inclusive)
Quantity
39 photographs ( 1 box and 1 folder)
Collection Number
PH1458
Summary
Collection of portraits and group photos of Japanese Americans in Seattle including Japanese Consuls
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.

Request at UW

Languages
English, Japanese
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Historical Background

During the first year of the Meiji Restoration, which corresponds to our year 1868, a wave of immigrants, known as gannenmono, because they immigrated during the first year of the restoration, arrived in both Hawai'i and the continental United States. According to encyclopedia.densho.org/Immigration,"...many of the early immigrants were well-educated students or entrepreneurs who flocked to urban centers along the West coast in search of further educational and economic opportunities, and those who eventually settled often became the core of the economic and intellectual elite of the immigrant communities that developed along the West Coast." From the mid 1880s Japanese immigration to the United States became more common, though later immigrants were primarily laborers and those seeking to improve their economic status. Many of these early immigrants initially intended to return to Japan once they had accomplished their economic goals, but later decided to make the United States their permanent home.

The immigration of Japanese to the United States continued through the Meiji period, which ended in 1912, and into the reign of emperor Taisho, who died in 1926. However, the United States Immigration Act of 1924, severely limited the immigration of Japanese to America. For those Japanese already in America, there were many tensions, and it was important to blend into the American culture, and to have good community support. The support came in different ways, but one very important way was through community organizations.

According to Asian American History: A Very Short Introduction by Madeline Y. Hsu, "The Japanese Commercial Club and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce promoted Japanese-owned businesses by regulating competition, promoting mutual assistance, and sharing information." According to Shelley Sang-Hee Lee in Claiming the Oriental Gateway: Prewar Seattle and Japanese America , "Such organizations as the Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Club, and Japan Society, while primarily concerned with promoting United States-Japan relations in trade and other business ventures, viewed the exchange of art and culture as an extension of these relations." This community support led these early Japanese businessmen to be quite successful in Seattle. The Seattle Camera Club is an example of the artistic community supported by the Seattle Commercial Club. In 1919, the Japanese Commercial Club had 200 members according to the Department of Commerce's book Commercial and Industrial Organizations of The United States. In 1924, the club was located at 423 Maynard Ave. in Seattle.

This collection of photographs includes portraits of several Japanese Consuls. Though the Japanese Consulate was originally established in Tacoma in 1895, it was moved to Seattle in 1901, where it remains today. The consulate Official Residence was moved from 2632 Boylston Ave. N in Seattle to 1025 1st Ave. W around 1922. The Consulate office was located at 650 Central Bldg. in downtown Seattle at that time. Each of these portraits of Consuls indicate that the individuals are honorary members of the J.C. Club. Though it is not certain, it is probable that the J.C. Club is the Japanese Commercial Club.

It is important to note that the majority of the individuals in these photographs are dressed in Western attire. The Japanese started to adapt to Western clothing during the Meiji era. Initially, this style of clothing in Japan was very expensive, and owning a suit was a sign of status, power and wealth. It also supported Emperor Meiji’s goal to combine the modern ways of the Western culture with the traditional values of the Japanese culture. Consequently, it makes sense that a consul to North America would dress in Western clothing, even though he remained a Japanese citizen.

However, other photographs are of people who are most probably Issei, those who immigrated to America, and Nisei, those born in America to parents who emigrated from Japan. For these individuals, the Western clothing would have been not only a symbol of Japan’s modernization and sophistication, but also a statement that they were interested in and willing to adapt to some of the cultural norms of their adopted, or birth country. Additionally, wearing the clothing of a host culture facilitates communication, shows adjustment to the culture, and helps to establish cultural inclusion. For these reasons, dressing in Western clothing may have been especially helpful for Japanese businessmen.

This research was aided by several individuals. Azusa Tanaka , of the University of Washington, was instrumental in translating the old style Kanji. Lynn Shiori Miyauchi and Mr. Tojo, both of the Seattle Consulate in 2018 provided much needed information. In addition to his assistance with identification and translation, Mr. Tojo, provided valuable information about several of the photographers in this collection. The Jackson Photo Studio was located at 613 ½ Jackson Street in Seattle (telephone: Elliot 6417). The owner was Mr. Shojyuku Amano. The Takano Photographic Studio was owned by Mr. Hiroshi Miyake and was located at 316 Maynard Ave. (telephone Elliot 0888) in Seattle's Nihonmachi (Japantown).

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Content Description

Group photographs and individual portraits of Japanese citizens in Seattle, including several Japanese Consul, made by various studios around the city, including the Jackson, Aoki, Toyo, Tsutsuni and Takano Studios. The individuals are mostly in Western attire and appear to be businessmen or men of community standing.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Source: Bill Lee, February 20, 2016

Processing Note

Processed by Jean Hannah, 2018

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)


2018 (Last modified: 1/31/2020)

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