Inventory of the Kenjinkai Publications SPC.2019.027
Yoko OKunishi
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2023
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Kenjinkai Publications
Creator:
Nanka Fukushima Kenjinkai. 南加福島県人会
Creator:
Nanka Hiroshima Kenjinkai
Creator:
Nanka Mie Kenjinkai
Creator:
Nanka Wakayama Kenjinkai
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2019.027
Physical Description:
4 boxes
(4 document boxes)
Physical Description:
1.46 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1955-2014
Abstract: This collection consists of publications by prefectural associations, that is, "kenjinkais 県人会," in Southern California and
Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California, "Nanka Kenjin Kyogikai 南加県人会協議会." The organizations have compiled
commemorative publications to celebrate their major anniversary milestones, and those publications are not widely known about
but distributed among the members only. Anniversary booklets include an overview of their history, historical images, biographical
information on the members, information about events and activities, and local businesses' advertisements.
Language of Material:
Japanese
, English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gerth Archives and Special Collections hosted an outreach event, "Kenjinkai Open House," inviting Southern California kenjinkai
members on January 26, 2019. Their anniversary booklets were donated by the attendees during the event. The Gerth Archives
has actively collected publications by the local community-based organizations, which are not widely known about but distributed
among the community members only.
Availability of Digital Reproductions
Nanka Wakayama Kenjinkai has granted the Gerth Archives permission to digitize and make their anniversary publications available
online.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged following the numbering system assigned to prefectures by the Japanese govenement:
-
北海道地方区分 Hokkaido Region: 01 北海道 Hokkaido;
-
東北地方区分 Tohoku Region: 02 青森県 Aomori-ken; 03 岩手県 Iwate-ken; 04 宮城県 Miyagi-ken; 05 秋田県 Akita-ken; 06 山形県 Yamagata-ken; 07 福島県 Fukushima-ken;
-
関東地方区分 Kanto Region: 08 茨城県 Ibaraki-ken; 09 栃木県 Tochigi-ken; 10 群馬県 Gunma-ken; 11 埼玉県 Saitama-ken; 12 千葉県 Chiba-ken; 13 東京都 Tokyo-to; 14 神奈川県 Kanagawa-ken;
-
中部地方区分 Chubu Region: 15 新潟県 Niigata-ken; 16 富山県 Toyama-ken; 17 石川県 Ishikawa-ken; 18 福井県 Fukui-ken; 19 山梨県 Yamanashi-ken; 20 長野県 Nagano-ken; 21
岐阜県 Gifu-ken; 22 静岡県 Shizuoka-ken; 23 愛知県 Aichi-ken;
-
近畿地方区分 Kinki Region: 24 三重県 Mie-ken; 25 滋賀県 Shiga-ken; 26 京都府 Kyoto-fu; 27 大阪府 Osaka-fu; 28 兵庫県 Hyogo-ken; 29 奈良県 Nara-ken; 30 和歌山県 Wakayama-ken;
-
四国地方区分 Shikoku Region: 36 徳島県 Tokushima-ken; 37 香川県 Kagawa-ken; 38 愛媛県 Ehime-ken; 39 高知県 Kochi-ken;
-
九州地方区分 Kyushu Region: 40 福岡県 Fukuoka-ken; 41 佐賀県 Saga-ken; 42 長崎県 Nagasaki-ken; 43 熊本県 Kumamoto-ken; 44 大分県 Oita-ken; 45 宮崎県 Miyazaki-ken; 46 鹿児島県
Kagoshima-ken; 47 沖縄県 Okinawa-ken.
Kenjinkai 県人会
Kenjinkais, that is, Japanese prefectural associations, were formed by the Issei, who immigrated from the same prefectures
in Japan. Although the associations were politically active at one time when competing for the seats of the Japanese Associations,
"Nihonjinkais," which functioned as a proxy for the Japanese government in the United States, kenjinkais mainly served as
mutual aid societies in the community. They provided services to meet Japanese immigrants' needs, bringing together the people
who shared the same dialects and lifestyles in their hometowns, promoting the community network to support businesses and
hiring, aiding the people struggling from hardships, and coordinating funerals for the members who had no family in the U.S.
The first kenjinkai established in Southern California was the Nanka Kagoshima Kenjinkai in 1899, and other earlier kenjinkais
emerged between 1904 and 1915. Their auxiliary women's societies and youth groups followed, enhancing the network and supporting
educational programs.
While the Nisei and the Sansei played a central role in the community, reestablishing their lives after the war, kenjinkais'
activities declined initially. In the 1950s, kenjinkais were revitalized, responding to the community's needs. They sponsored
social events for the community as the Issei were aging and became nostalgic and strongly desired to be united with their
friends sharing the same roots. While post-war Japan was struggling from the war damage and devastation, kenjinkais provided
their hometowns with disaster relief aids and supported the postwar Japanese immigrants from their prefectures.
Decades later, the Japanese American community has transformed and the community demographics have changed. The number of
Japanese immigrants to the United States remains low. Kenjinkais have been transformed accordingly, inviting members in a
broader scope and shifting their original missions to fostering the U.S.-Japan friendship by promoting cultural exchanges
among the youth and providing disaster relief funds when affected. They have offered scholarships to the youth so that they
can be involved in kenjinkais' activities and recognize their ancestors' homelands.
Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California 南加県人会協議会
Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California 南加県人会協議会 is a federation of kenjinkais which was initiated by Consul
General Toshiro Shimanouchi of Japan in 1964 to promote communication and collaboration among them. As of 2023, 39 prefectures
among 47 prefectures in Japan exist in the Southern California.
Preferred Citation
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Yoko Okunishi in 2023.
Digital Reproductions
The Gerth Archives and Special Collections created digitized materials (born-analog objects) from original items for long-term
preservation and electronic access, adhering to best practice and standards to ensure the authenticity, integrity, and security
of material. Most of the collection has been digitized and are available online. Some of the access files (access derivatives)
have been redacted to protect personal identifiable information and others have been compressed for greater efficiency online.
For more information on digitization production, please see
CSU Japanese American Digitization Project technical reference guide .
The set of digital reproduction preservation files is stored on the Gerth Archives and Special Collections' department drive
for preservation purpose and duplicate image requests in TIFF.
The set of access files (access derivatives) was created for the digital management system and is stored on the Gerth Archives
and Special Collections' department external drive for staff use.
CSU Japanese American Digitization Project
This collection is part of the California State University Japanese American Digitization Project. Other collections about
the history of Japanese Americans are found in the digital repository:
CSU Japanese American Digitization Project .
Japanese American Community Publications
This collection includes booklets and newsletters published by Japanese American community-based organizations in Southern
California, such as cultural institutes in local areas, women's society, religious organizations, Aikido groups, a political
group, and others.
The finding aid to the Japanese American Community Publications .
Nanka Fukushima Kenjinkai Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of publications by prefectural associations, that is, "kenjinkais 県人会," and Japanese Prefectural
Association of Southern California, "Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai 南加県人会協議会." These organizations have compiled commemorative publications
to celebrate their major anniversary milestones, and those publications are not widely known about but distributed among the
members only. Anniversary booklets document an overview of the community's history, historical images, and biographical information
on the members, information about events and activities, and local businesses' advertisements.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
References
Minami Kashū Nihonjin shichijūnenshi. Los Angeles, California: Nanka Nikkeijin Shōgyō Kaigisho, 1960. Nanka Kagoshima
Kenjinkai sōritsu hyakujisshūnen : dō Fujinkai sōritsu hyakushūnen kinenshi = Nanka Kagoshima Kenjingai 110th anniversary :
Fujinkai 100th anniversary commemorative book. California?: Nanka Kagoshima Kenjinkai, 2009. Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai. "About
us." 2019. https://www.kenjinkai-kyogikai.org/about-us.html.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Japanese -- California, Southern -- History
Community organization
Miyagi-ken 宮城県 Series I Kenjinkai 04
box 1, item 04_001
Centennial celebration the Miyagi Kenjinkai of Southern California = 南加宮城県人会100周年記念誌
2003
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Fukushima-ken 福島県 Series I Kenjinkai 07
box 1, item 07_001
Nanka Fukushima Kenjinkai soritsu 85-shunen 南加福島県人会創立85周年, 1993
1993 October 31
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 1, item 07_002
Nanka Fukushima Kenjinkai soritsu 90-shunen kinen 1998-nen 南加福島県人会創立90周年記念1998年
1998 October
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 1, item 07_003
Nanka Fukushima Kenjinkai 100th anniversary, 1908-2008 = 南加福島県人会創立百周年記念
2008 June
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Chiba-ken 千葉県 Series I Kenjinkai 12
box 1, item 12_001
Southern California Chiba Kenjinkai 100th anniversary, 1907-2007 = 南加千葉県人会創立百周年記念, 1907-2007
2008
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Nagano-ken 長野県 Series I Kenjinkai 20
box 1, item 20_001
Southern California Nagano Kenjin-kai 100th anniversary = 南加長野県人会創立百周年記念誌
2006
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Gifu-ken 岐阜県 Series I Kenjinkai 21
box 1, item 21_001
Nanka Gifu Kenjinkai soritsu hyakushunen kinenshi 南加岐阜県創立百周年記念誌
2011 August
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Shizuoka-ken 静岡県 Series I Kenjinkai 22
box 1, item 22_001
One hundred years of the Nanka Shizuoka Kenjinkai = 南加静岡県人会百年の歩み, 1905-2005
2005
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Mie-ken 三重県 Series I Kenjinkai 24
box 1, item 24_001
Mie Kenjin Hokubei hattenshi 三重県人北米発展史
1966 November
Language of Material: Japanese.
box 1, item 24_002
Mie kenjin-kai of Southern California 100th anniversary = 南加三重県人会創立百周年記念
2004 May
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Wakayama-ken 和歌山県 Series I Kenjinkai 30
box 2, item 30_001
Nanka Wakayama Kenjin-kai seventy-fifth anniversary, 1911-1986 = 南加和歌山県人会創立七十五周年記念誌, 千九百十一年-千九百八十六年
1986
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 2, item 30_002
Eighty-fifth anniversary established 1911 Nanka Wakayama Kenjinkai = 南加和歌山県人会創立八十五周年記念誌
1998
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 2, item 30_003
Nanka Wakayama Kenjinkai celebrating 100 years = 南加和歌山県人会創立百周年記念, 1911-2011
2013
Language of Material: Japanese.
Hiroshima-ken 広島県 Series I Kenjinkai 34
box 2, item 34_001
1955 Hiroshima Kenjin directory of Southern California = 南加廣島懸人住所録
1955
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 2, item 34_002
Hiroshima Kenjin-kai of Southern California, Inc. 75th anniversary = 南加広島県人会創立75周年記念
1985 June 30
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 2, item 34_003
Hiroshima Kenjin-kai of Southern California, Inc. 90th anniversary = 南加広島県人会創立九十周年記念
2000 January
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 2, item 34_004
Hiroshima Kenjin-kai of Southern California, Inc. 100th anniversary = 南加広島県人会百周年記念
2011 June
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Ehime-ken 愛媛県 Series I Kenjinkai 38
box 2, item 38_001
Southern California Ehime Kenjinkai 75th anniversary book = 南加愛媛県人会創立75周年記念誌
1985 December 28
box 3, item 38_002
Southern California Ehime Kenjinkai 100th anniversary = 南加愛媛県人会創立100周年記念誌
2010
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Kochi-ken 高知県 Series I Kenjinkai 39
box 3, item 39_001
Southern California Kochi Kenjin-kai 100th Anniversary = 南加高知県人会創立百周年記念
2010 January
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Fukuoka-ken 福岡県 Series I Kenjinkai 40
box 3, item 40_001
Nanka Fukuoka Kenjinkai soritsu 90-shunen kinen 1998-nen 南加福岡県人会創立90周年1998年
1998 October
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 3, item 40_002
Nanka Fukuoka Kenjinkai 100th anniversary = 南加福岡県人会創立百周年記念, 1908-2008
2009 March
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Saga-ken 佐賀県 Series I Kenjinkai 41
box 3, item 41_001
Nanka Saga Kenjin-kai 100th anniversary = 南加佐賀県人会創立百周年記念, 1905-2005
2006 March
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Kumamoto-ken 熊本県 Series I Kenjinkai 43
box 3, item 43_001
100th anniversary 2000, Nanka Kumamto Kenjinkai = 南加熊本県人会創立百周年記念
2000 November
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Miyazaki-ken 宮崎県 Series I Kenjinkai 45
box 3, item 45_001
20th anniversary edition = アメリカ宮崎県人会創立20周年記念誌, 1987-1997
1997 October 1
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Kagoshima-ken 鹿児島県 Series I Kenjinkai 46
box 3, item 46_001
Nanka Kagoshima Kenjinkai 100th anniversary 1999 = 南加鹿児島県人史創立百周年記念 1999
1999 September
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 3, item 46_002
Nanka Kagoshima Kenjinkai 110th anniversary Fujinkai 100th anniversary commemorative book = 南加鹿児島県人会創立百十周年同婦人会創立百周年記念誌
2009
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Okinawa-ken 沖縄県 Series I Kenjinkai 47
box 3, item 47_001
Okinawa Association of America 100th anniversary : "from generation to generation" = 北米沖縄県人会創立百周年記念祝賀式典 : いちぬいちまでぃん
2009
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California 南加県人会協議会 Series I Kyogikai
box 4, folder 01
Nanka Kenjin Kaicho Kyogikai soritsu jisshunen kinen 南加県人会長協議会創立十周年記念
1974
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 4, folder 02
Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai soritsu 15-shunen kinen 南加県人会協議会創立15周年記念
1979
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 4, folder 03
Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai soritsu 25-shunen kinen 南加県人会協議会創立25周年記念
1989
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 4, folder 04
Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California 35th anniversary 南加県人会協議会創立三十五周年記念
1999 November 14
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
box 4, folder 05
Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California 50th anniversary 1964-2014 = 南加県人会協議会創立50周年記念
2014
Language of Material: Japanese, English.
