WAUSeattleJapaneseCommunityPHColl1458.xml Guide to the Photographs of the Seattle Japanese American Community approximately 1910-1949 Photographs of the Seattle Japanese American Community Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries © 2018 (Last modified: 1/31/2020)

Seattle, WA 98195

University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections PH1458 Photographs of the Seattle Japanese American Community approximately 1910-1949 39 photographs ( 1 box and 1 folder) Collection materials are in English and Japanese. Collection of portraits and group photos of Japanese Americans in Seattle including Japanese Consuls

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).

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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Source: Bill Lee, February 20, 2016

Processed by Jean Hannah, 2018

Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington) Seattle Clubs and Societies Photographs Japanese Americans

Japanese Consuls of Seattle, Honorary Members of the J.C. Club

It is unknown what the initials J.C. stand for, but according to Mr. Tojo of the current Japanese Consulate, it is most probably some sort of community club active in Seattle at that time. He did say that it had nothing to do with the consulate directly.

1/1 1 Portrait of Morinobu Hirota, Japanese Consul of Seattle 1921 Takano Studio

According to the Business Chronicle of the Pacific Northwest, Morinobu Hirota became Consul in Seattle following twelve years in the consular and diplomatic service of Japan. He was a graduate of the Kyoto Imperial University. He was ordered to Seattle to become Consul during his service as secretary to the Premier. He returned to Japan April 1, 1921 due to failing health. Vice Consul T. Saito became acting consul in his place. Written on front: Honorary Member of J.C. Club, Japanese Consul, March 1, 1920 to March 31st, 1921, Period of Terin. Written on verso: Honorary Member Japanese Consul Period of Terin. Takano Studio. 3821.

1/1 2 Portrait or Hiroshi Kawamura, Japanese Consul of Seattle 1927

Written on front: Honorary Member of J.C. Club, Japanese Consul, Feb. 3, 1926 to Nov. 17, 1927.

1/1 3 Portrait of Hirosi Saito, Japanese Consul of Seattle 1921 Takano Studio

Written on front: Honorary Member of J.C. Club, Japanese Consul, July 24, 1921 to [1923 (End date provided by Mr. Tojo of the Japanese consulate in 2018)].

1/1 4 Portrait of Chuichi Ohashi, Japanese Consul of Seattle 1925

Written on front: Honorary Member of J.C. Club, Japanese Consul, July 21, 1923 to June 9, 1925.

1/1 5 Portrait of Naokichi Matsunaga, Japanese Consul of Seattle 1920 Takano Studio

Written on front: Honorary Member of J.C. Club, Japanese Consul, March 2, 1917 to Feb. 29th, 1920.

Portraits of Japanese Men 1/2 6 Portrait of a Japanese man with a mustache wearing a dark suit and facing left between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studio 1/2 7 Portrait of Suemasa Okamoto, Japanese Consul of Seattle between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios 1/2 8 Portrait of a partially bald Japanese man with a lapel button between 1920 and 1949 Toyo Studio 1/2 9 Portrait of a Japanese man in double breasted suit with an Elliot style shirt collar with a pearl tie pin between 1920 and 1949 Toyo Studio Seattle, WA 1/2 10 Portrait of a Japanese man with glasses, a mole under his right eye, a mustache, light color suit and a Marlborough or Boylston style shirt collar between 1920 and 1949 Toyo Studio Seattle, WA 1/2 11 Portrait of a Japanese man with rimless glasses, dark suit, pearl tie pin and folded arms 1914 Jackson Studios 1/3 12 Portrait of a Japanese man with a mustache in a dark suit, speckled and striped tie between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios

Writing on front in old style Kanji.

1/3 13 Portrait of a Japanese man in a double breasted military uniform coat with four rows of military ribbons and a large military badge between 1920 and 1949 1/4 14 Portrait of Shibusawa Eiichi in a dark suit with a vest and a bow tie between 1920 and 1939 K. Kigata

Writing on front in Kanji translates to: Shibusawa Eiichi. On the left side the Kanji translates: To: Japanese Association of North America. "Shibusawa Eiichi (1840-1931) was a leading figure in the development of Japan's modern society. A dynamic force in the industrial world, he was involved in the founding of some 500 enterprises and economic organizations. Equally dedicated to social and public welfare, he was instrumental in the founding of some 600 organizations for social welfare, education, and international exchange. He believed strongly in the role of individual and private initiatives and was heavily involved in private-sector diplomacy." https://www.shibusawa.or.jp/english/eiichi/index.html.

1/4 15 Portrait of Shibusawa Eiichi in bowler hat and topcoat between 1920 and 1939 1/4 16 Portrait of Tokusaburo Sowa between 1920 and 1949

Written on front in English Tokusaburo Sowa. Tokusaburo Sowa was once president of The Japanese Association of Seattle. Writing on front right in Kanji translates to: Amano. Writing on front left in Kanji translates to: Photograph by Jackson Studios. Mr. Amano was the owner of Jackson Photo Studios.

1/4 17 Portrait of a Japanese man with a mustache, goatee, dark rimmed, round glasses, striped tie, and arms crossed between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios

Writing on front left in Kanji translates to: To: Japanese Association of North America. Writing on front right in Kanji translates to Gift from Jackson Photo Studio. Writing on the photograph itself is undecipherable.

1/4 18 Probably a portrait of Ito Chuzaburo between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios

Writing on front left in Kanji translates to: Ito Chuzaburo. According to the book Issei: a History of Japanese Immigrants in North America Chuzaburo Ito was the president of the Japanese Barbers’ Association and also ran a barber shop, public bath and laundry.

1/4 19 Portrait of a Japanese man with round tortoise shell glasses, suit with a vest, speckled tie and a mustache between 1920 and 1949 Takano

Writing on front in old style Kanji is not translated. The Takano Photographic Studio was owned by Mr. Hiroshi Miyake and was located at 316 Maynard Ave. (Telephone Elliot 0888) in Seattle's Japantown.

1/4 20 Possibly a portrait of Kiyoshi Uchiyama May 23, 1931 J. M. Amano, Jackson Studios

Kiyoshi Uchiyama was the Consul General in Portland, Oregon in 1916 and in the 1930s, he was the Japanese Consul in Seattle. The Kanji is printed on the right side of the picture translates: Jackson Studios. Writing on front in Kanji translates to: May 23, 1931 Kiyoshi Uchiyama.

1/5 21 Portrait of a Japanese man with a graying mustache in a dark suit and tie between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios

Same man as in item #20, but facing in a different direction and with a different style shirt collar.

1/5 22 Portrait of a Japanese man with a graying mustache in a dark suit and tie between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios

Same man as in item #19, but facing in a different direction and with a different style shirt collar. Writing on front in Kanji translates to: To: Hokubei Nihonjin. Hokuebi Nihonjin translates to North American Japanese.

1/5 23 Portrait of a Japanese man with a double breasted suit, white hanky in pocket, hands behind his back, black armband on left bicep between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios

The black armband on this gentleman may indicate that he is in mourning. Writing on front in Kanji translates to: Toshihiko.

1/5 24 Portrait of a Japanese man with silver hair and a mustache wearing a dark suit between 1920 and 1949 Jackson Studios

Writing on front left in Kanji translates to: Jackson Studios.

Group portraits of Japanese men, women, and children 1/5 25 Group portrait of mostly elderly, Japanese men and women in a park July 11, 1928 Toyo Studio, Seattle, WA 1/6 26 Group portrait of Japanese men and one Japanese woman dressed for cold weather on a dock in front of a ship January 17, 1926 Jackson Studio

Writing on front mat in Kanji on the right translates to: Donation. Writing on front mat in Kanji on the left translates to: Photograph by Jackson Studio. Written on verso: club.

1/6 27 Portrait of two Japanese men and a Japanese woman dressed for the cold stand behind of a large basket of flowers next to a train May 19, 1930 Jackson Studio

Writing on the front mat on the left in Kanji translates to: Photograph by Jackson Studio Amano. Writing on the front mat on the right in Kanji translates to: Donation.

1/6 28 Photograph taken from behind a large group of men and women standing in front of their chairs, face two men on a stage covered in flowers and greenery Feb 7, 1927 Jackson Studio

The Japanese Emperor's symbol is the round disk in the center of the photograph. Emperor Taisho, known in the West as Yoshihito, was buried in Japan on February 8th, 1927. Writing in Kanji on the left translates to: Photograph by Jackson Studios. Writing in Kanji on the right translates to: Donation.

1/6 29 Group portrait of ten Japanese men four of whom are in Japanese military uniform between 1920 and 1949 Aiko Studio, Seattle KVXC2 30 Group portrait of fourteen Japanese men in business attire, eight of them seated, in front of a building with the number 121 over the door between 1920 and 1949 Tsutsui Studio, Seattle, WA

The Kanji on the wall plaque to the left of the men probably translates to Amano Shintaku Investment Office. This is the same building as in items 31 and 32. There is an address on the building; 121. 121 Maynard in Seattle, WA was the Astor Hotel according to Raymer's Dictionary of Historic Seattle.

1/7 31 Group portrait of fifteen Japanese men in business attire, some with overcoats, and most with bowler hats standing in front of a hotel building with the number 121 over the door between 1920 and 1949 Aiko

This is the same building as items 30 and 32. There is an address on the building; 121. According to Raymer's Dictionary of Historic Seattle, 121 Maynard in Seattle, WA was the Astor Hotel.

1/7 32 Group portrait of twenty-six Japanese men in business attire standing in front of the Astor Hotel between 1920 and 1949

This is the same building as items 30 and 31. There is an address on the building; 121. According to Raymer's Dictionary of Historic Seattle, 121 Maynard in Seattle, WA was the Astor Hotel.

1/7 33 Portrait of a Japanese girl in a kimono and a Caucasian girl with three Japanese Friendship dolls identified from right to left as Miss Niigata, Miss Mie, and Miss Nara Wakayama May 23, 1928

Through the assistance of Japanese Friendship Doll Historian Bill Gordon and Masaru Aoki of Yoshitoku Doll Company in Tokyo, the three Japanese Friendship Dolls in this photograph have been identified. It is important to note that, in general, it has been a challenging process for historians to accurately identify the Friendship Dolls due to the fact that, as the dolls travel throughout the U.S. the doll's kimonos and stands were often changed and their original paperwork and personal effects were also mixed up. Consequently, the names currently used by the owners of the Japanese Friendship Dolls are not necessarily their original names, which adds to the confusion when discussing the dolls. Sadly, the whereabouts of some of the original 58 dolls is still unknown. On the right side of this photograph is "Miss NIIGATA"; this doll is currently missing. In the center the doll is "Miss MIE", who currently resides at the University of Nebraska State Museum, NE. According to Mr. Aoki, her original name was Miss MIYAZAKI. On the left is "Miss NARA WAKAYAMA" who currently resides at the Nevada Historical Society, NV. She was originally known as Miss Nara, but was misidentified as Miss Wakayama. The name Miss Nara Wakayama is a combination of the two names. Old style Kanji on the photograph's mat, assisted in identifying the dolls as Friendship Dolls, as well as providing the date. The children, however, remain unidentified.

1/7 34 Portrait of four Japanese women in kimonos, three of them holding bouquets of flowers May 7, 1930 Jackson Studio, Amano

Writing on front right in Kanji translates to: Donation of Jackson Studio. Writing on front left in Kanji is untranslated. The translator determined that the left Kanji probably refers to the fact that the women are in the U.S. as ambassadors to give thanks for the assistance after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and subsequent fires that destroyed much of Yokohama and Tokyo. It may also be a reference to Torei-shi women. As a side note, the U.S. participated in an international relief aid, with the American Red Cross raising nearly 12 million dollars for the victims.

1/7 35 Group portrait of students of multiple nationalities standing in front of an ivy covered building entrance 1935 Ochi Studio, Seattle

Written on front and written on verso are many signatures. They are probably signatuers of the students, though there are not as many signatures as there are people in the photograph.

KVXC2 36 Group portrait of twenty-eight Japanese gentlemen in business attire, thirteen of whom are holding a certificate of merit and a box probably containing a wooden cup, gathered at the Japanese Consul's residence for the Wooden Cup Bestowment Ceremony May 29, 1941 Jackson Studio, Seattle

Writing on front right in Kanji translates to: Kigen 2600 (1940) Northwest Award and Wooden Cup Bestowment Ceremony at the Official Residence of Consul in Seattle. Consul Sato, sitting in the center of the middle row, was the last Consul before the Consulate was closed on December 30th, 1941, after the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7th of that year. In Eigen 2600 (or 1940), a series of events were held in Japan throughout the year to celebrate the enthronement of Emperor Jinmu, who was the first Emperor of Japan according to the legend. (His accession is dated as 660 BC and 1940 was the 2600th anniversary of his enthronement.) The celebration rose to a climax on November 10th that year when the official Eigen 2600 celebration ceremony, hosted by the Cabinet, took place in the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace with the presence of Emperor and Empress Showa. The records of the Seattle Consulate show that thirteen people from Seattle and eight people from Portland were commended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that day. This photograph shows thirteen men holding the certificate of merit and a box this believed to contain a wooden cup. Although the cups were awarded November 10, 1940, the actual bestowment ceremony must have been held at the Official Residence of Consul in Seattle on May 29th, 1941 (information provided by Mr. Tojo of the Seattle Consulate in 2018).

(Translation of the top lines) Top left to right S. Shinohara (篠原栄, Sakae SHINOHARA), J. Yoshitomi (吉富淳一, Jyunichi Yoshitomi), K. Matsuda (松田熊太郎, Kumataro MATSUDA), K. Maeno (前野邦三, Kunizo MAENO), H. Oikawa (及川英夫, Hideo OIKAWA), M. Shiraishi (白石万之助, Mannosuke SHIRAISHI), Kimura, Bito (尾藤生三, Shozo BITO), S. Nakamura (中村史朗, Shiro NAKAMURA), Tabusa, Yasutake (安武嘉一郎, Yoshiichiro YASUTAKE) and S. Sawada (沢田晋作, Shinsaku SAWADA)

(Translation of the bottom lines) Middle = Y. Yoshioka (吉岡海松 ,Umimatsu YOSHIOKA), K. Kawajiri (川尻慶太郎, Keitaro KAWAJIRI), E. Okiyama (沖山栄吉, Eikichi OKIYAMA), H. Okuda (奥田平次, Heiji OKUDA), Consul Sato (佐藤由己領事, Consul Yuki Sato), C. Ito (伊東忠三郎, Chuzaburo ITO), M. Yamasaki (山崎正人, Masato YAMASAKI), G. Shoji (東海林源之助, Gennosuke SHOJI), S. Arima (有馬純義, Sumiyoshi ARIMA) Bottom = Kaneko, G. Mihara (三原源治, Genji MIHARA), U. Kasai (笠井梅之助, Umenosuke KASAI), H. Tateoka (舘岡久, Hisashi TATEOKA), Yasumura (安村一松, Ichimatsu YASUMURA), Tsujima (津島朝一, Choichi TSUJIMA), Okamar

Translation information of the names provided by Mr. Tojo of the Seattle Consulate in 2018. Written on verso: 12/7/41 100-4463 A.S.R. and an illegible signature.

KVXC2 37 Group portrait of Japanese stand under the American and Japanese flags in front of the new official Japanese Consul Residence for the celebration of Emperor Taisho's birthday Oct. 31, 1922 Jackson Studio, Seattle

Japanese Consul Hirosi Saito appears to be the man in the middles of the front row, next to the two ladies. Mr. Tojo of the consulate office in 2018 indicated that according to Japanese Consulate records, the Official Residence was moved from 2632 Boylston Ave. N in Seattle to 1025 1st Ave. W. around 1922. The house number 1025 is visible on the stone porch post, which further indicates that this photo was taken at the new residence. The consulate office at that time was located at 650 Central Bldg. in downtown Seattle. Writing on front right in Kanji translates to: Taisho 11 (1922) Emperor's Birthday Reception at the new Official Residence of Consul. Writing on front left in Kanji translates to: Taken and given by Jackson Photo Studio. Writing on verso in Kanji translates to: October 31, Taisho (1922) Birthday reception. City of Seattle, State of Washington, United States of America. At the new Official Residence of Consul of Empire of Japan. Commemorative Photo. Owner: Togetsu Matsufuji. Written on verso in English: Bebb & Mendel Arch. S. Slope of QA Hill (RE Dennis).

KVXC2 38 Group portrait of Japanese men seated in front of a large collection of floral arrangements surrounding a funeral portrait of former Seattle Japanese Consul Mr. Hirota between 1920 and 1929 Jackson Studio, Seattle

Writing on front left in Kanji translates to: photographed by Jackson Studios. Writing on the front right in Kanji translates to: Funeral for consulate member Mr. Hirota.

Photograph without people 1/7 39 Photograph of a stage covered with greenery and floral arrangements and the Emperor's Shinto symbol in the back between 1920 and 1949 Aiko