Guide to the Kojima family papers M2117
Griselda Mercado and Malgorzata Schaefer
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2016
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Kojima family papers
creator:
Kojima, Minoru
creator:
Kojima, Ishi
Identifier/Call Number: M2117
Physical Description:
4 Linear Feet
(2 boxes, 2 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): c. 1931-1960
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Content Description
The materials include loose photographs, a photograph album, letters, ephemera such as Toshiko's school records, a "Memorial
Chimes" boxed funeral album regarding Kenji Kojima, and other materials relating to the Kojima family and their struggle to
re-establish their lives after World War II. Including over 120 letters, circa 1948-1960, most with their original mailing
envelopes sent to Toshiko Kojima in New York City from her brother Minoru in Pasadena and other locations in California as
well as when he was in the military, and letters from her mother Ichi Kojima in Pasadena.
Biographical / Historical
Kenji Kojima (1886-1947) and Ichi Kojima (born 1894) initially arrived in the United States in 1912 and settled in San Diego.
Toshiko Kojima, their daughter, was born in San Diego in 1919, and her brother Minoru was born a few years later in 1923.
Toshiko graduated from San Diego State College and went on to be an artist known for wood engraving. Minoru took up dentistry,
establishing a practice in National City, CA, and eventually became part of the U.S. armed forces as a dentist. During World
War II, the Kojima family was sent to an internment camp in Poston, Arizona, to which they occasionally allude in their letters.
Conditions Governing Use
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased for Stanford University, Special Collections in March 2014.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Kojima family papers, circa 1939-1960 (M2117). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives,
Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Japanese Americans -- California -- History -- 20th century
Kojima, Minoru
Kojima, Ishi
Kojima, Toshiko, 1919-
box 1, folder 2
Correspondence
07/1948 to 10/1948
box 1, folder 3
Correspondence
11/1948 to 12/1948
box 1, folder 4
Correspondence
01/1949 to 05/1949
box 1, folder 5
Correspondence
09/1949 to 11/1949
box 1, folder 6
Correspondence
02/1950 to 06/1950
box 1, folder 7
Correspondence
08/1950 to 12/1950
box 1, folder 8
Correspondence
01/1951 to 02/1951
box 1, folder 9
Correspondence
04/1951 to 10/1951
box 1, folder 10
Correspondence
11/1951 to 12/1951
box 1, folder 11
Correspondence
01/1952 to 06/1952
box 1, folder 12
Correspondence
07/1952 to 10/1952
box 1, folder 14
Correspondence
03/1954 to 05/1954
box 1, folder 15
Correspondence
07/1954 to 08/1954
box 1, folder 18
Miscellaneous Correspondence
box 1, folder 20
Kojima, Toshiko San Diego State College Transcripts
box 2, folder 9
San Diego State College Degree
Box 2, Folder 13
Family Snapshot negatives
Box 2, Folder 14
Family Snapshot negatives
Box 2, Folder 14
Family Snapshot negatives
Box 2, Folder 12
Loose Pictures from Family Photograph Album
flat-box 3
Family Photograph Album circa 1940
General
Photographs are not adhered and can easily fall out so careful handling is required to keep integrity of album.
flat-box 4
"Memorial Chimes" boxed funeral album and papers
Scope and Contents
Contains material regarding the death and service items, billing, arrangements, visitors book and condolences pertaining to
Kenji Kojima (1886 - 1947), husband of Ishi K and father of Roshiko and Minoru. Includes memorial stone biling (with design)
from Thos. Holmes and Sons Pasadena, items from Mountain View Cemetery and Crematorium in Pasadena CA, Los Angeles Co. hospital
bills, receipts, sympathy cards, a small spiral notebook with date of 1947 at the hospital written entirely in columned Japanese,
noting one name in English - the wake arrangements were held at the Edwards and Cummings funeral directors location in Pasadena.
Adapted from seller's information.
flat-box 4
Two copper etching plates, "Construction Greek Theatre" and "Adobe Falls", approx. 5" x 7 1/2", probably made by Toshiko Kojima
while at San Diego art school
