Lauren Zuchowski
Japanese American National Museum
© 2016
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 830-5615
Email: collections@janm.org
URL: http://www.janm.org/
Japanese American National Museum. All rights reserved.
Finding aid for the George Hoshida Papers
Collection number: 96.117
Japanese American National MuseumLos Angeles, California
- Processed by:
- Lauren Zuchowski
- Date Completed:
- 2016
- Encoded by:
- Lauren Zuchowski
© 2016 Japanese American National Museum. All rights reserved.
Title: George Hoshida papers
Dates: 1942-1983
Bulk Dates: 1942-1944
Collection number: 96.117
Creator:
Hoshida, George, 1907-1985
Collection Size:
0.75 linear feet
Repository:
Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Los Angeles, California 90012
Abstract: George Hoshida (1907-1985) was incarcerated in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was separated from his family
for two years. This collection primarily consists of correspondence written by the Hoshida family while separated during World
War II. It also contains artwork created by Hoshida to document camp life, legal documents, government documents, and notes.
Physical location: Japanese American National Museum. 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
By appointment only.
Please contact the Collections Management and Access Unit by email (collections@janm.org) or telephone (213-830-5615).
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Collections
Management and Access Unit (collections@janm.org).
[Identification of item], George Hoshida papers. 96.117, Japanese American National Museum. Los Angeles, CA.
In 1996, led by daughters Sandra Hoshida and June Honma, George Hoshida’s family donated his sketchbooks and letters to the
permanent collection of the Japanese American National Museum.
Biography / Administrative History
George Hoshida (1907-1985) was born in Japan and immigrated to Hilo, Hawaii with his family in 1912. His formal education
ended when he graduated from junior high school, later earning his GED after the war. Hoshida began working for Hilo Electric
Company, married his wife Tamae, and started a family. He had four daughters: Taeko, June, Sandra, and Carole. Although he
professed little interest in international politics, Hoshida’s Buddhist faith coupled with his leadership in the temple and
interest in Judo led him to be classified as potentially dangerous by the government following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
He was arrested and incarcerated in Kilauea Military Camp. Over the next two years Hoshida would be transferred to the following
Department of Justice camps: Sand Island detention facility (Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii); Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio, Texas);
Lordsburg Internment Camp (Camp Lordsburg, New Mexico); Santa Fe Internment Camp (Santa Fe, New Mexico). Hoshida was separated
from his wife and family during the first two years of his incarceration.
Hoshida’s wife and daughters initially remained in Hawaii but they were sent to the Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas
with the hopes of reuniting the family. Their daughter, Taeko, was severely disabled and remained institutionalized in Hawaii.
Sadly, she died in Hawaii before the family was able to return. Once Hoshida was reunited with his family in Jerome they were
transferred to Gila River. The Hoshida family returned to Hilo after the war in 1945. Hoshida moved to Los Angeles with his
wife and daughter, Carole, in 1959 where he worked as a deputy clerk in the municipal court. Their other daughters, June and
Sandra, would later join the family. Hoshida returned to Hawaii after his retirement, where he wrote and published an autobiography
entitled Life of a Japanese Immigrant Boy in Hawaii.
Hoshida passed away in 1985.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection provides insight into the daily lives of a separated family during World War II. It contains letters between
Hoshida and his family, letters to and from government officials, drawings made by Hoshida illustrating camp life, and government
documents.
Letters written by Hoshida to his wife illustrate life at Justice Department Camps while Tamae’s letters highlight their daily
struggles of life without her husband as she remained in Hilo and later lived in Jerome. Hoshida’s love of drawing comes out
in letters to his family in which he makes humorous portraits for his daughters and sketches of his living conditions for
his wife. Letters in 1943 emphasize the family’s struggle to be reunited after Tamae and the children relocate to Jerome.
The collection is largely letters between the immediate Hoshida family but also includes letters between a variety of family
members,friends, and government officials.
Hoshida cultivated a life-long interest in drawing during his incarceration. He filled notebooks with drawings and watercolors
of his time behind barbed wire. His artwork includes portraits of his family as well as his fellow inmates, depictions of
daily activities, and landscapes of the surrounding environment. His sketches continue once reunited with his family, portraying
Gila River activities.
Additionally, the collection includes government documents that portray regulations applicable to Japanese American internees
as well as civilians in the Territory of Hawaii. Many of the documents relate to the Evacuations Claims Act of July 2, 1948.
Petitions filed by George and other Hawaiian internees separated form loved ones provide insight into the drawn out legal
processes involved in transfers to bring families together.
Items have been arranged chronologically when applicable with undated materials at the end of each series.
Series 1 : Correspondence
Subseries 1: Personal
Subseries 2: Government
Series 2: Government Documents
Subseries 1: Interment Camps
Subseries 2: Territory of Hawaii
Subseries 3: Regulations and Instructions
Series 3: Legal Documents
Subseries 1: Claims
Subseries 2: Petitions
Series 4: Miscellaneous
Subseries 1: Notes
Subseries 2: Press Clippings
Subseries 3: Forms
Series 5: Sketches
Subseries 1: Sketches by George Hoshida
Subseries 2: Sketches by Others
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Hoshida, George, 1907-1985
Japanese Americans
water color painting
drawings and graphics
World War II
Japanese Americans--Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945.
Kilauea Military Camp (Hawaii)
Sand Island U.S. Army Internment Camp (Hawaii)
Santa Ana Army Air Base (Calif.)
Fort Sam Houston (Tex.)
Lordsburg Internment Camp (N.M.)
Santa Fe Internment Camp (N.M.)
Justice Department Camps, Santa Fe
Jerome Relocation Center (Ark.)
Gila River Relocation Center
97.106, George Hoshida Drawings. Digital Surrogates are available on the Japanese American National Museum’s Website.
2002.166.1, George Hoshida Drawing. Color ink drawing of Lordsburg Hospital.
NRC.2005.95.1, Life of a Japanese Immigrant Boy in Hawai'i by George Hoshida.
Correspondence, 1942-1956
Physical Description: 0.50 linear feet
Personal, 1958-1993
Physical Description: 25 folders
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This series primarily contains correspondence between George Hoshida and his wife, Tamae, while they were separated. The letters
span his time at Kilauea Detention Camp, Sand Island Detention Camp, Fort Sam Houston Justice Department Camp with most letters
sent during Hoshida's time at the Lordsburg Internment Camp in New Mexico. He writes to Tamae while the family remains in
Hilo, Hawaii and throughout their move to Jerome Relocation Center in Denson, Arkansas. There are also letters to and from
his daughters (June and Sandra), brother (Raymond), and others.
Box 1 Folder 1
Box 1 Folder 2
Box 1 Folder 3
1942 April 1-15
Physical Description: 8 items
6 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 3 letters sent to June Hoshida from George Hoshida in Kilauea Military Camp. Letter dated
1942 April 2 includes a caroon of George to his daughter and letter dated 1942 April 15 includes cursive practice for her.
Box 1 Folder 4
Box 1 Folder 5
1942 May
Physical Description: 14 items
6 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida, 1 letter sent to June Hoshida, and 1 letter sent to [Sandra] Hoshida from George Hoshida.
Also includes 5 letters sent from Tamae Hoshida and 1 letter from June Hoshida to George Hoshida. George Hoshida was being
transferred to Sand Island during this period. Letter dated 1942 May 6 includes a drawing of June and Sandra holding hands.
Box 1 Folder 6
Box 1 Folder 7
1942 July
Physical Description: 8 items
2 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 1 letter sent to June Hoshida from George Hoshida. Includes 1 envelope to Tamae Hoshida
without corresponding letter. Also includes 1 letter to George Hoshida from Tamae Hoshida, 1 letter to George Hoshida from
his brother Raymond, and 1 letter to Tamae Hoshida from Edwin T. Ching of the Territory of Hawaii Department of Institutions
with an update on their daughter. Letters send during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.
Box 1 Folder 8
1942 August
Physical Description: 9 items
3 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida. 3 letters from Tamae Hoshida, 1 letter from June Hoshida, and 1 letter
from Raymond Hoshida sent to George Hoshida. Letter dated 1942 August 31 from Tamae Hoshida tells George Hoshida that their
neighbor's dog "Fly" has volunteered for the United States Army. Also includes a Western Union telegram from George Hoshida
to Tamae Hoshida telling her not to repatriate.Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.
Box 1 Folder 9
1942 September
Physical Description: 14 items
5 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida and 3 letters sent to June Hoshida from George Hoshida. 1 letter from June Hoshida, 1 letters
from Raymond Hoshida, and 3 letters from Tamae Hoshida sent to George Hoshida. Letter dated 1942 September 25 from Tamae Hoshida
discusses the upcoming delivery of their child. Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.
Box 1 Folder 10
1942 October
Physical Description: 14 items
7 letters and 1 telegram sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida. The telegram confirms that he will not repatriate and
is healthy. Two birthday cards sent to George Hoshida from his daughters and Tamae. 3 letters sent to George Hoshida from
Tamae Hoshida with an update about the delivery of their daughter, Carole. 1 telegram from Richi Takemoto announcing the birth
of their daughter. Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration at Lordsburg, New Mexico.
Box 1 Folder 11
Box 1 Folder 12
Box 1 Folder 13
1943 January
Physical Description: 9 items
1 telegram and 3 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida from George Hoshida. 1 telegram and 2 letters sent to George Hoshida from Tamae
Hoshida. 1 telegram sent to Richi Takemoto. 1 letter sent to Raymond Hoshida from George Hoshida. Letters contain primarily
updates regarding the family's move from Hilo, Hawaii to Jerome, Arkansas. Letters sent during George Hoshida's incarceration
in Lordsburg, New Mexico.
Box 1 Folder 14
Box 1 Folder 15
1943 March
Physical Description: 15 items
9 letters and 1 telegram sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. Telegram informs Tamae to be ready
to move soon. 4 letters sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New Mexico from Tamae Hoshida. 1 letter sent to George Hoshida
from his niece, Kazuma.
Box 1 Folder 16
1943 April
Physical Description: 20 items
9 letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in Jerome, Arkansas from George Hoshida. 6 letters sent to George Hoshida in Lordsburg, New
Mexico from Tamae Hoshida. 1 draft letter intended for George Hoshida's niece, Kazuma. 2 letters sent to June Hoshida in Jerome,
Arkansas from George Hoshida. 1 letter to Tamae Hoshida from Edward T. Ching of the Territory of Hawaii Department of Institutions
with an update on their daughter, Taeko. 1 letter sent to George Hoshida in Japanese from an unknown sender.
Box 1 Folder 17
Box 1 Folder 18
Box 1 Folder 19
Box 1 Folder 20
Box 1 Folder 21
1943 September
Box 1 Folder 22
Box 1 Folder 23
Box 1 Folder 24
Box 1 Folder 25
Box 1 Folder 26
1943 March
Physical Description: 6 items
3 letters sent from Tamae Hoshida to various United States officials recounting her evacuation to Jerome, Arkansas with the
hopes of reuniting with her husband. The letters continue to describe her physical disability to explain why she needs him
with the family. 3 acknowledgement letters sent to Tamae Hoshida in regards to her petition for family reunion.
Box 1 Folder 27
Box 1 Folder 28
Box 1 Folder 29
Box 1 Folder 30
Box 1 Folder 31
Box 1 Folder 32
Box 1 Folder 33
Government Documents,
Physical Description: 7 folders
Box 2 Folder 1
Box 2 Folder 2
Box 2 Folder 3
Physical Description: 4 item
One general license under Executive Order8389, one memorandum to all persons having use of funds of internees, one order that
all persons are prohibited from entering the Territory of Hawaii under provisions of Executive Order 9066 and Executive Order
9489, Tamae Hoshida's photo identification for the Territory of Hawaii.
Box 2 Folder 4
Box 2 Folder 5
Box 2 Folder 6
Box 2 Folder 7
Legal Documents,
Physical Description: 5 folders
Box 2 Folder 8
Box 2 Folder 9
Box 2 Folder 10
Box 2 Folder 11
Box 2 Folder 12
Miscellaneous,
Physical Description: 4 folders
Box 2 Folder 13
Box 2 Folder 14
Box 2 Folder 15
Physical Description: 5 items
Includes World's Greatest Books advertisement, two Japanese language articles, one article titled "Disloyal Japanese Will
Leave Amache: Nearly Two Hundred Will Be Shipped From Colorado Camp to Coast Center For Probable Repatriation in Nippon",
and an article titled "Sketches From Camp" featuring reproductions of George's artwork.
Box 2 Folder 16
Sketches,
Physical Description: 6 folders
Box 2 Folder 17
Box 2 Folder 18
1943
Physical Description: 2 items
The first sketch contains multiple portraits. On the front of the page the upper ink sketch is labeled: Mama, 12-20-43; 8:45
p.m.; at Jerome R.C. It is of a woman looking straight ahead with her hair up. She is wearing glasses. The bottom sketch is
of a young girl looking down labeled [Mitsue].The back of the page is a sketch titled Mama's daily war clothes. It is of a
woman standing with a bucket in her hand. She is wearing a jacket and slacks with a scarf over her head. She is wearing glasses.
It is labeled 1-14-44 8AM Jerome R.C. The second sketch is of George's daughters Sandra and Carole. Both are labeled underneath
the sketch and dated 1-14-44.
Box 2 Folder 19
1944
Physical Description: 8 items
1 ink sketch of Tamae feeding Carole, dated 1-14-44 at 8 AM. 1 full page sketch of the outdoor theater at Gila River. 1 ink
sketch of a man rolling dough. 1 sketch of three men- Mr. Hiraga, Chef Sagara, and Mr. Tankamoto- working in the mess hall
kitchen. 1 sketch of the southwest view of Gila River with a very rough sketch of the west view on the back. 1 ink sketch
of the south view of Gila River with barracks and trucks in the background. The back of the page is a sketch of the entrace
to Gilar River (Butte Camp). 1 rough sketch of the north-west view of Gila River. The back of the page is a west view of
Gila Rivers with barracks and mountains.1 ink sketch featuring small portraits of six men- Sato, Mr. Yusa, Mr. Nakamura, Mr.
[Morooka], Mr. [Hontu], and Mr. Goto.
Box 2 Folder 20
1945
Physical Description: 6 items
1 ink sketch of a meeting held at Gila River to explain resettlement.1 sketch looking out from Gila River featuring foliage,
some buildings, and two outlines of men on horses. The back of the page is a sketch of Tamae and their daughters having a
picnic. 1 ink sketch of the outdoor kabuki theater in Gila River with actors on stage. 1 ink sketch of people having a picnic
with mountains in the background.On the back of the page are two portraits- Susumu [Haseguara] and his brother, Stanley.1
sketch labeled: Special Block Meeting 8-22-45, Gila Rel. Center. The sketch is seven portraits of men with some labeled. Identified
men are Mr. Suzuki (Block Mayor), Mr. Sato, Mr. Nakamura, Mr. Kato, and Mr. Komai. On the back of the page there are more
sketches.1 sketch of the mess hall kitche for George Hoshida's block in Gila River.
Box 2 Folder 21