Minidoka from Block 26 (1942) by Shiuko SakaiJapanese American Museum of Oregon
When the Japanese Imperial Army attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the US government acted at home. People of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast were forcibly removed from their homes and taken to desolate inland areas of the US.
Drawing of Minidoka concentration camp (1942/1945) by Yoichi "Cannon" KitayamaJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Some 125,000 men, women, and children were incarcerated for the duration of World War II.
Woodblock Print of Potbelly Stove, Minidoka (1943-06-30) by Ruth IshibashiJapanese American Museum of Oregon
The incarcerees were given one room per family furnished only with army cots and a pot belly stove.
Geta Made In Minidoka (1942/1945) by UnknownJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Making arts and crafts started as a way to beautify and add a homey touch to the bare surroundings. People began making what they needed with whatever materials they could find.
Grandma Okita's Embroidery Class (1942/1945) by UnknownJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Scrap lumber was made into tables, chairs and dressers, and clothing was used to make curtains and embroidered paintings.
Hawk Painting on Board (1942/1945) by UnknownJapanese American Museum of Oregon
As well as being a means of making the living quarters more habitable, making artwork was a way to stave off the intense boredom brought on by extended confinement.
Bird Carving (1942/1944) by Kei KoyamaJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Learning new skills and creating beautiful objects was a way of adapting to living under difficult circumstances was an expression of gaman, the Japanese concept of enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.
Desert Foothills Watercolor (1942/1945) by Harry W. YoshiJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Although formal classes taught by professional artists were established in many of the camps, arts and crafts were mostly learned informally and often self-taught. Those with specific skills were sought after to teach others.
Rooster (1942/1945) by Shigeta OuchidaJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Many of the artistic creations were inspired by indigenous materials found around camp.
Oyster Shell Journal Entry (1944) by Shiuko SakaiJapanese American Museum of Oregon
The Fort Missoula Department of Justice Center, located on a riverbed, was known for sculpture and household objects made from polished river rock; Tule Lake, situated on a dry lake bed, became known for decorative objects made from shells;
Minidoka Arts and Crafts Exhibition (1943) by unknownJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Manzanar, for its carved wooden bird pins; Gila River and Poston, for their carved and polished ironwood and cactus;
Manzanita Box (1942/1945) by Toraji OnoJapanese American Museum of Oregon
Minidoka, for its painted stones and greasewood carvings; Heart Mountain, for its embroidered pictures and Topaz, for its objects carved from slate.
Artificial Flower Ikebana and Bonsai Exhibition (1942/1945) by unknownJapanese American Museum of Oregon
In all the camps, sumi-brush painting, Ikebana flower arranging, whittling, haiku poetry, and drawing were popular hobbies. Each of the camps held art exhibitions attended by large and appreciative crowds.
