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.

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.

2 oversize boxes (Box 765 and 873)

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COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.