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Domoto (Toichi) papers
M1414  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use

  • Language of Material: Japanese
    Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives
    Title: Toichi Domoto papers
    creator: Domoto, Toichi, 1902-
    Identifier/Call Number: M1414
    Physical Description: 9.5 Linear Feet (7 manuscript boxes, 6 print boxes, 2 record containers, 1 map folder)
    Date (inclusive): 1860-1996
    Abstract: Japanese American Toichi Domoto (1902-2001) was a noted horticulturist who began in his family's Domoto Brothers Nursery and later founded his own nursery in Hayward, California.

    Biographical / Historical

    Toichi Domoto was the son of first generation immigrants from Japan who settled in California. Arriving in 1883, his father and uncle worked first as laborers and within a year were able to lease and then purchase a few acres of land in Oakland, founding the Domoto Brothers Nursery in 1884. They first specialized in the cut flower trade, and later, as pioneers in California's nursery business, they were responsible for the first plant importation of many important Japanese horticultural varieties of camellias, tree peonies, and chrysanthemums. They eventually specialized in trees, shrubs, climbing vines, roses, palms and ferns. Born in 1902 in Oakland, Toichi studied at Stanford University and the University of Illinois before joining his father's and uncle's business. He later bought 27 acres of land in Hayward and started his own nursery. His first catalog featured camellias and tree peonies, as well as magnolias, water iris, flowering quince and bonsai. He was interned with his family during World War II, but returned to his Hayward nursery and continued living there until his death in 2001.

    Scope and Contents

    The collection contains family and business correspondence, legal advice concerning the Alien Land Law of 1913, early nursery business records, early nursery catalogs (from the Yokohama nursery, the Domoto Bros. nursery, and Toichi Domoto's nursery), photographs of the Domoto family and early nursery business, class notes and subject files.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Gift of Marilyn Domoto Webb and Douglass Domoto, 2004.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Open for research; material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.

    Conditions Governing Use

    All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94305-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/spc/using-collections/permission-publish. Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Horticulture -- California -- History
    Japanese Americans -- California -- History -- 20th century
    Domoto, Toichi, 1902-