American Tapestry: 25 Stories from the Collection
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American Tapestry presents an intimate look into an ethnic community. At the same time, it celebrates the lives of everyday individual Americans who embody the “We” in “We the People” in the U.S. Constitution. In a democracy, every person counts. The colorful diversity of cultures, peoples, and points of view is what we see today as an American Tapestry.
Slides in this album |
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Namyo Bessho’s Certificate of Naturalization , March 11, 1919, Gift of Indiana Bessho (92.81.16)Namyo Bessho was one of the earliest Issei to fight for naturalization. What makes someone American?
Namyo Bessho’s Certificate of Naturalization |
chanami
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U.S. Dollar Bill, Gift of Maxine Tomoyasu (2001.157.1 and .2)In 1942, the US government issued bills on the islands stamped with “HAWAI‘I.” What can you do with a dollar?
U.S. Dollar Bill, Gift of Maxine Tomoyasu (2001.157.1 and .2) |
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To Find a Job by Henry Sugimoto, oil on canvas, 1927, Gift of Madeleine Sugimoto and Naomi Tagawa (92.97.107)In his painting “To Find a Job” the image depicts a buranke-katsugi, a term for a migratory agricultural laborer, around the turn of the 20th century. Where is this man going?
Detail of painting - "To Find a Job" |
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My Papa by Henry Sugimoto, oil on canvas, 1943, Gift of Madeleine Sugimoto and Naomi Tagawa (92.97.139)In his painting “My Papa” the image depicts a man taken away from his family farm by an FBI agent as his family watches. Where is this man going?
Detail of painting - "My Papa" |
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Diary written by Gordon Hirabayashi, 1942, Collection of Jim Hirabayashi (4.2010.1)Gordon Hirabayashi fought for his freedom all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. What is worth fighting for?
Diary written by Gordon Hirabayashi, 1942 |
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Drawing from Citizen 13660, Miné Okubo, ink on paper, ca. 1942-44, Gift of Mine Okubo Estate (2007.62)Miné Okubo was a pioneering Nisei woman documenting her experiences while confined in American concentration camps. How do you record your story?
Drawing from Citizen 13660, Miné Okubo, ink on paper, ca. 1942-44 |
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Diary written by Stanley Hayami, ca. 1942-45, Gift from the Estate of Frank Naoichi and Asano Hayami, parents of Stanley Kunio Hayami (95.226.1)Stanley Hayami left Heart Mountain to join the U.S. Army in Italy where he was killed in combat. What ideals do you believe in?
Stanley Hayami diary |
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Letters written by George Saito, ca. 1944, Gift of Mary S. Tominaga (94.49.41)George and his two brothers were in the U.S. Army fighting for America while his family was incarcerated in the Amache concentration camp. What does fighting two wars mean?
Letter written by George Saito, ca. 1944 |
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My Only Crime is My Face by Mary Oyama Mittwer in Liberty Magazine, August 1943, Gift of Helen Ely Brill (95.93.10B)Mary was a Nisei writer reflecting many of the issues her generation faced during World War II. What does prejudice mean?
My Only Crime is My Face by Mary Oyama Mittwer in Liberty Magazine, August 1943 |
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Crusaders Scrapbook made by Rinko Shimasaki, ca. 1943-45, Gift of Yuri Kochiyama (94.144.10)The Crusaders where a group of young women intent on making a difference while in America's concentration camps. How can you make a difference?
Crusaders Scrapbook, ca. 1943-45 |
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All But Blind by Clara Estelle Breed featured in Library Journal 68, February 1943, Gift of Elizabeth Y. Yamada (93.75.22A)Ms. Breed was a librarian who corresponded with many of the Japanese American youth that were incarcerated during World War II. What can you do with a pen and paper?
"All But Blind" by Clara Estelle Breed |
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A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle by Asians in America, Chris Kando Iijima, Joanne Nobuko Miyamoto, 1973, Collection of Nobuko Miyamoto (30.1998.5)Nobuko and Chris were young people trying to change the world with their music. How is a pearl made?
"We Are the Children" record |
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Photograph of Vincent H. Okamoto, ca. 1970, Gift of Anonymous (95.215)Vincent H. Okamoto is the most highly decorated Japanese American to survive the Vietnam War. What does “looking like the enemy” mean?
Vincent H. Okamoto |
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Bicycle, ca. 1930, Gift of Elaine Otomo (2006.35.1)Elaine Otomo had this bike returned after more than 60 years. What makes a good friend?
Bicycle, ca. 1930 |
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American Families woven by Momo Nagano, 1999, Gift of Momo Nagano (2001.82.1)Momo Nagano's tapestry memorializes her community before the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Where is the strength in your neighborhood?
American Families woven by Momo Nagano, 1999 |
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Furo, ca. 1927, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George T. Esaki (88.38.1)This furo has been a catalyst for many lively exchanges. Why do we record our memories?
Furo, ca. 1927 |
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Redress documents from Norman Y. Mineta, ca. 1980, Gift of Norman Y. Mineta (96.370)Secretary Mineta was involved in numerous legislative acts including redress for Japanese Americans. What does it mean to right a wrong?
Redress documents from Norman Y. Mineta, ca. 1980 |
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Marbles collected by Toru Saito, ca. 1940, Collection of Toru Saito (3.2010.1)Toru Saito went back to his place of incarceration to dig up these marbles he left more than fifty years ago. Why would these marbles make you cry |
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Model of Manzanar Concentration Camp Barrack created by Robert Y. Hasuike, 1986, Gift of Robert Y. Hasuike (91.123.4)Robert Hasuike was a model maker for Mattel Toys. How do you build community?
Model of Manzanar barrack |
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1939 Silvertone American short wave radio made by Sears, Roebuck and Co., Gift of in Memory of Ramon MacWilliamson (2000.120.1)Mr. MacWilliamson used this radio from a Japanese American family to tell the story of an American injustice. What does justice mean to you?
1939 Silvertone American short wave radio made by Sears, Roebuck and Co. |
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Lavalier Mic from Current TV series, 2010, Courtesy of Adam YamaguchiAdam Yamaguchi is executive producer and correspondent for Current TV’s no limits documentary series “Vanguard.” How important is it to have a voice?
Lavalier Mic from Current TV series, 2010 |
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Skateboard from “Return to Manzanar,” Courtesy of Eric Nakamura.Eric Nakamura rode this skateboard across the vast site of Manzanar. What does it mean to be a witness?
Skateboard from “Return to Manzanar” |
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Starfleet captain's uniform worn by George Takei, in Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country, 1991, Gift of George Takei (98.361.4)George Takei is an advocate for equality on the screen and in real life. What does it mean to be equal?
Detail of George Takei's Starfleet captain's uniform |
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Robert Ideishi’s black computer bag, September 11, 2001, Gift of Robert Ideishi (2010.3.2)Robert Ideishi is a Sansei and was in Tower One of the WTC when it was struck by terrorists. Who is a hero in your life?
Computer bag |
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Yellow Woman photograph of Marcy Borders by Stan Honda taken on September 11, 2001, Gift of Stan Honda / Agence France Presse (2010.5.1)Stan Honda was in NYC when terrorists struck the WTC and captured the tragedy of this event with his camera. Where were you when a major event occurred?
Yellow Woman photograph of Marcy Borders by Stan Honda |
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Historic BuildingHistoric Building and former Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Now the Museum's largest artifact. Where is the heart of your community?
Historic Building |
American Tapestry: 25 Stories from the Collection
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