Japanese American Archival Collection-Template

Artifacts

The images on this page are a sampling of the extensive artifact collection included in the Japanese American Archival Collection. For additional information about the JAAC, please see our website at The Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Library, California State University, Sacramento or call us at (916) 278-6144

Note: Click on the thumbnail to view the larger image

This flag was displayed in an internment camp by the parents of two Japanese American World War II soldiers.

Barracks painting 3 JCfolio2 07.jpg (138135 bytes)

Watercolor of Tule Lake barracks with watchtower, 1944. Artist: Charles Erabu Mikami, JCFolio2 07

Mikami was born in Hiroshima, Japan in 1901 and began studying sumi-e painting at the age of 14. In 1919 he immigrated to Seattle. He and his family were interned first at Tule Lake Internment Center and later transferred to Topaz Internment Center. During his incarceration, he actively painted sumi-e. After moving to Morgan Hill, California, he continued to do sumi-e painting and write senrye poems. His paintings can be found in the collection of the Japanese American Archives in San Francisco.

Oval fruit basket with handle, n.d. Artist: Constance Kurosawa McMillan, JC25R1 30

Basket made while interned at Topaz Internment Center by wrapping crepe paper around thin wires, weaving it into a basket shape, and shellacking it.

The set consists of seventy-five individually hand painted playing cards made while Mr. Nakan was at Tule Lake Internment Center. Made of hard electrical insulation boards, they became so popular that he made them for people in the other nine internment centers.

This cane was carved in Tule Lake Internment Center and has painted images of a monkey, giraffe, lion, frog, and Native Americans performing a war dance. From Beauty Behind Barbed Wire: "Curious natural wood forms were sought, collected and used by the wood-minded, and in these camp communities in which most of the getting about was by foot, it was inevitable that walking sticks in natural forms would be searched for, and others shaped for use.

Carved at Tule Lake Internment Center, the tortoise or "Kame" has a long tradition in Japanese folklore. The "kame" represents 10,000 years of life and is often depicted in Japanese art and symbolisms.

Carved at Poston Internment Center, the artist carved this pin depicting a deer and fawn for Amy Inouye Shimada.

Carved at Amache Internment Center, this carving from a tree branch depicts two figures climbing a mountain and another figure sitting at the top.

Made at Tule Lake Internment Center, these items were woven out of an onion sack.

Friends and acquaintances of Fusaye Yokoyama signed the shirt while she was at the Tule Lake Internment Center and then she embroidered over their signatures.

Made at Amache Internment Center, the pin is painted with a caricature of "lil' neebo" - meaning little Nisei boy - and was the mascot for the camp.

The six paint brushes were used at Amache Internment Center for sumi-e painting and calligraphy

Made at the Gila River Internment Center. The pen and pencil are made from ironwood and the holder is carved from the Saguaro cactus. The wooden base of the holder is made from wood salvaged from a crate box.

Made at the Gila River Internment Center. The wooden handles are painted with a scene from the Gila River camp.

Used at Amache Internment Center. The flower making tools were bought from Japan ca. 1928 and the entire set includes 25 iron makers, 5 cast iron flower molds, 1 cast iron base, 1 bamboo plate, 2 bamboo tubes, 1 long tweezer, 1 homemade holemaker, 1 ruler. Also included is one white, paper flower petal,

The vest was sent by Matsushita's mother from the Amache Internment Center while he was a member of Company "I", 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The term "Sen nin bari" literally means 1,000 knots sewn by people, but in a real sense the many knots were sewn by women into sashes, shirts, vests and other items. It is said that each knot represents its maker's wish for the wearer's everlasting fortune in war. This vest was worn by Matsushita during many of his battles in Italy during World War II.

Made at the Tule Lake Internment Center, this leather folding wallet has the design of Tule Lake carved into the front.

This pin was issued by the War Relocation Authority and owned by Lilly Hirota while she was interned at Tule Lake Internment Center.