Sumitomo Bank of California photographs, 1976

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Summary

Creators:
Sumitomo Bank of California
Abstract:
The Sumitomo Bank of California Photographs are enlarged and mounted black and white reproductions of photographs depicting the accomplishments and daily life of Japanese Americans from 1887 to 1976. The majority of the photographs document Japanese living on the west coast, particularly in California. These photograph reproductions were originally part of "The Japanese American Contribution" exhibit hosted by the Sumitomo Bank of California in 1976.
Extent:
2 oversize boxes (Box 765 and 873)
Language:
Finding aid is written in English.

Background

Scope and content:

The photographs from the Sumitomo Bank of California exhibit, "The Japanese American Contribution," document the accomplishments and daily life of the Japanese in the U.S., from early immigrants to contemporary figures. The photographs are in black and white and the originals from which they were produced range in date from 1887 to 1976. The original photographs were lent for reproduction by various contributors in California. The reproductions were enlarged and mounted on boards. The scope and content note for each photograph was taken directly from the exhibit's photo captions.

All of the photographs depict Japanese American life on the west coast; all the photographs were taken in California, with the exception of two photographs from Washington state and Hawaii. Photographs of accomplishments include the first Japanese-owned nursery in California, Issei (first generation Japanese) who served in World War I, Ken Nakazawa, the first Japanese professor at USC, Chiura Obata, the first Japanese art professor at UC Berkeley, actor / movie star Sessue Hayakawa, the founders of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), architect Minoru Yamasaki, Olympic coach Yoshihiro Uchida, Olympic athlete Makoto Sakamoto, Olympic medalist Tommy Kono, President Gerald Ford signing the termination of Executive Order 9066. Photographs of daily life include Gizaemon Akahoshi, a Japanese laundryman, Japanese railroad workers, fishermen, farmers, and students, Los Angeles Little Tokyo in the early 1900s, Nihonmachi (Little Tokyo) in San Francisco during the 1930s, an early group of newly naturalized Isseis, the Sumitomo Bank of California branches in Los Angeles and Sacramento, Nisei Week festival in Los Angeles, Cherry Blossom festival in San Francisco, and the Manzanar internment camp.

Biographical / historical:

In 1953, the Sumitomo Bank of California was founded in Los Angeles and provided financial assistance to emerging Japanese businessmen. In 1955, it opened another branch in Sacramento. By 1976, it operated twenty-three branches in California and was headquartered in San Francisco. In 1976, it hosted a photograph exhibit entitled "The Japanese American Contribution" which celebrated the bicentennial of Japanese immigration to the U.S.

Acquisition information:
The Japanese American Research Project (JARP) was established in 1962 jointly by the Japanese American Citizens League and the University of California, Los Angeles. Materials in the collection were donated after JARP was established.
Arrangement:

The photographs are separated by size and arranged by chronological order within each box.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Photographs.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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