Biographical and family records, Series 1.
1940-2002, bulk 1942-1989
Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series comprises Yamada's biographical and family papers. It contains materials about her parents, Hide and Jack Yasutake,
and two of her brothers, Michael and William (Tosh) Yasutake. It also includes materials about her husband Yoshikasu Yamada.
The papers provide insight into different aspects of the Japanese American experience during and after World War II because
while some family members were interned, others were decorated American soldiers. Of particular interest are the files that
Yamada procured from the United States' government regarding her father's arrest and internment.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by surname.
box 17, folder 1
Yamada, Mitsuye
1955-1984, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains photocopy of Mitsuye's U.S. naturalization certificate, U.S. citizenship welcome booklet, photocopy of a photograph
of her in the Minidoka choir, draft of interview with her, clippings about her life and career, and an article in Japanese.
Yamada, Yoshikasu (Yoshikadzu)
Biographical/Historical note
Yoshikasu "Yosh" Yamada, Mitsuye's husband, was drafted into the U.S. Army prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served
in the medical detachment for the 5th Air Base Group, and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, Bronze Star, Good
Conduct Ribbon, Army Distinguished Unit Badge, Philippines Liberation Ribbon with two stars, American Defense Ribbon, and
the Legion of Merit Medal. He earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Purdue in 1950. He later worked as a principal research chemist
at Bell & Howell Research Laboratories and then started his own business, Yamada Graphics.
box 17, folder 2-8, 11
Professional materials
1954-1977, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains curriculum vitae, patents, scientific notes and articles, his 5 year pin from Bell & Howell, and material on his
invention of improvements in perpetual and multi-year calendars.
box 17, folder 11
Datebook or journal "Daily Aide" with entries in Japanese,
1945
Scope and Contents note
Pages missing from July 10th onward.
box 17, folder 9
Discharge papers, military record, and veterans' eligibility papers
1946-1993
box 17, folder 10
Handwritten narrative of war experience, articles, and other materials
undated
box 17, folder 11
Legion of Merit medal
undated
box 18, folder 1
Yasutake / Yamada family history project correspondences
1999
box 18, folder 2
Alien Property Custodian claim: legal correspondence
1957-1959
box 18, folder 3
Family house in Seattle moved to museum in Meiji Mura, Japan: remembrance,
1985
box 18, folder 4
Internee profiles
undated
Scope and Contents note
Date of original profiles is not stated; these copies were printed in 1992.
box 18, folder 5
Resettlement in Cincinnati, Ohio: photocopies of correspondence with U.S. government
1944-1945
box 18, folder 6
Telegrams to and from Crystal City Internment Camp
1944, undated
box 18, folder 7
Yasutake, Hide: immunization record, correspondence, and receipts
Biographical/Historical note
Hide Yasutake, Mitsuye's mother, was interned during World War II at the Minidoka Relocation Center in Hunt, Idaho and later
joined her husband at Crystal City Internment Camp in Texas.
Yasutake, Jack Kaichire
Biographical/Historical note
Jack Yasutake, Mitsuye Yamada's father, first immigrated to the United States from Japan in 1907. According to U. S. Department
of Justice records he was "apprehended" December 7, 1941 as an "alien enemy," with an alleged tie to a group known as "The
Silver Shirts," under suspicion of espionage. At the time of his arrest he was working as an interpreter for the U.S. Immigration
and Naturalization Service. He was initially imprisoned at Fort Lewis, Washington, later relocated to Crystal City Internment
Camp in Texas, and "paroled" to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1944. In 1947 Jack, Hide, and their youngest son, Joseph, moved to Chicago
where Jack was the executive secretary of the Chicago Resettlers' Committee, a social service organization that helped former
camp inmates find work and housing. In 1953 he was honored as the first Japan-born person in the city of Chicago to become
an American citizen through naturalization.
box 18, folder 8-10
Freedom of Information Act files
1981-1991
Scope and Contents note
Contains articles and brochures on the Freedom of Information Act and Yamada's requests for release of files about Jack Yasutake.
box 18, folder 11-13, box 19, folder 1-10
Government records and correspondence
1940-1953, 1981-1986
Scope and Contents note
Contains photocopies of Department of Justice records and FBI reports on Jack Yasutake, including early (1940) investigations
on Yasutake. Materials document his arrest, imprisonment at Fort Lewis, relocation to Crystal City internment camp, parole,
personal property inventories, and letters of support. The files also include citizenship and naturalization records. Yamada's
1980s correspondence with the U.S. government requesting the documents is interspersed throughout the records.
box 19, folder 11
Identification cards and naturalization materials
1950-1953
box 19, folder 12
Notes in Japanese found with Jack Yasutake records
undated
box 28, folder 4
Plaque honoring Yasutake as first Japan-born person in the city of Chicago to become an American citizen through naturalization
box 19, folder 13
Yasutake, Michael: tribute booklet and remembrances
1996-2002
Biographical/Historical note
Seiichi Michael "Mike" Yasutake, Mitsuye's brother, refused to sign portions of the "loyalty oath" upon his release from Minidoka
Relocation Center. He was opposed to war and refused to sign the portion of the oath calling him to take up arms in defense
of the United States. He was ordained in the Episcopal Church in 1950 and stood for peace, tolerance, and civil liberties
throughout his life. His papers are located at the Archives of the Episcopal Church USA.
box 19, folder 14
Yasutake, William Toshio: World War II photograph, clipping, and booklet
1945, 1979
Biographical/Historical note
William or "Tosh" Yasutake, Mitsuye's brother, enlisted in the U.S. military in 1943, hoping it would reflect favorably on
his family and improve their circumstances as internees. He served in Europe as a medical aid in the U.S. Army's 442nd Regimental
Combat Team during World War II.
Scope and Contents note
Contains photograph and clipping of Tosh receiving the Bronze Star. Also included is a 1979 reprint of the booklet,
The Story of the 442nd Combat Team.
Japanese American relocation files, Series 2.
1942-2000
Physical Description: 1.7 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains newspaper clippings, correspondence, and memorabilia concerning the Japanese American experience in internment
camps from 1941 to 1945. The series documents internment and its aftermath and includes some camp memorabilia, several retrospective
accounts of the camps, and records relating to the long political and legal struggle referred to as the "redress movement."
Arrangement
The series is arranged alphabetically by topic.
Processing note
Clippings are photocopies of originals. Originals were discarded due to fragility.
box 27, folder 4
The Minidoka Churchman
1945
box 1, folder 2
The Memoirs, Hunt High School (Hunt, Idaho) yearbook
1944
Scope and Contents note
This yearbook was given by a friend to Yamada, who did not attend this high school, having accumulated enough credits to graduate
from her Seattle high school prior to her relocation to Minidoka.
box 1, folder 3-5
Trek, camp newsletter
1942-1943
box 27, folder 8
Clipping collection of Tadashi Sekiguchi on Japanese Americans
1943-1997
Biographical/Historical note
Tadashi Sekiguchi was Yamada's childhood friend.
box 1, folder 6
Contemporary accounts and documents
1942-1945, undated
box 1, folder 7, box 20, folder 1, box 27, folder 7
Contemporary publications
1942-1945
box 28, folder 1
Japanese American National Museum individuals records
1993 August 22
box 1, folder 8, box 27, folder 3
Orphans and their care during relocation
1948-1997
box 1, folder 9-12, box 2, folder 1-7, box 27, folder 2-3
General clippings, pamphlets, correspondence, and other materials
1965-1990
box 20, folder 2-8, box 27, folder 7
JACL and NCJR files
1979-1988
Scope and Contents note
Primarily contains mailings from the National Council for Japanese Redress (NCJR) and the Japanese Citizens League (JACL).
Also includes clippings, correspondence, event programs, fliers, and other materials about redress and reparations.
box 2, folder 8
Remembrances and pilgrimages
1996-2000
box 3, folder 1
Chin, Frank
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains edited typescript.
box 3, folder 2
Hohri, William.
Repairing America
1988
Scope and Contents note
Contains correspondence, reviews, and book party planning documents.
box 3, folder 3
Lim, Deborah. "The Lim Report"
1995
box 3, folder 4
Reunion materials
1987-1997
box 20, folder 9
Scene: The Pictorial Magazine and Pictorial Guidebook
1951-1952
Scope and Contents note
Magazines contain articles and pictures relating to Japanese American life in the U.S. in the aftermath of relocation.
Literary materials and professional papers Series 3.
1942-2005
Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains résumés, literary materials, newspaper and leaflet advertisements for public readings and speeches, correspondence,
and other materials documenting Yamada's professional life and public presentations. It also includes some early literary
analysis and other essays from her college years. Because Yamada's artistic and political activities are intertwined, no attempt
has been made to distinguish between these facets of her career.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by topic.
box 3, folder 5, folder XOS 001
Awards, certificates, and résumés
1942-1996
box 3, folder 7-10
Essays
1945-1999, undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes Yamada's early essays written for college assignments and later essays written for publication.
box 21, folder 1-3
Literary correspondence
1975-1996
Scope and Contents note
Includes fan mail and correspondence regarding collaborations, publications, and permissions. It also includes correspondence
from fellow author and feminist Tillie Olsen (1912-2007).
box 21, folder 4-5, folder XOS 001
Mitsuye & Nellie film project: correspondence, fliers, and other materials,
1978-1984
box 4, folder 1-6, box 27, folder 8
Notices, reviews, and other clippings about Yamada,
1975-1996
box 21, folder 6-9, box 22, folder 1-9, box 23, folder 1-5, box 27, folder 8
Multi-Cultural Women Writers (MCWW) of Orange County records
1988-2007, undated
Biographical/Historical note
Yamada founded the MCWW of Orange County in 1980.
Scope and Contents note
Contains organizational history, minutes, agreements, articles, correspondence, literary reviews, and various materials discussed
at meetings. Includes loose poems and essays by Yamada and various other women. Also includes MCWW anthology,
Scaling the Chord.
box 23, folder 6-7
Photographs and slides from various conferences and events
1978-2000, undated
box 23, folder 8-9
Publication permissions
1982-2002
Readings and presentations,
Scope and Contents note
Contains fliers, brochures, invitations, event programs photographs, and other materials related to Yamada's readings, presentations,
and panel participation. Invents include Minidoka reunions, Amnesty International events, Japanese American remembrances,
and a variety of events about human rights, women's rights, writing, and poetry. It also includes materials for events that
she chaired or organized.
box 24, folder 1-6, folder XOS 001
box 24, folder 7
Shameless Hussy Press: catalogs, correspondence, and other materials
1976-1980 and undated
Community Support for Academic Relevance (CSAR)
box 24, folder 9
Cypress Junior College
1969-1984
box 13, folder 3
CSU Long Beach, Women's Studies lawsuit
1982-1986
box 13, folder 4
English 100 course materials
undated
box 13, folder 5
Multi-Cultural Students Club
1979-1983
box 24, folder 11-13
Cypress Junior College and UCI course syllabi, descriptions, evaluations, and other materials
1991-2005
Scope and Contents note
Contains material from courses taught by Yamada, including English, Asian American Writing: Life Stories, The Art of Writing
Poetry, American Literature, Asian American Literature, Creative Writing, and others.
Processing Information note
Although the names of the courses appear clearly on the records, the academic institution's name is often omitted, and therefore
no attempt to separate these materials by institution has been made.
box 25, folder 1-2
Grievances, complaint forms, and petitions related to Yamada's career at Cypress Junior College
1977
box 27, folder 9
Artwork and poetry from students at Seattle Preparatory School
1989 June
box 28, folder 2
The Heritage of Maternal Love
2000 March 21
box 28, folder 3
Family Blossoms: A Different Look into Filipino-American Life
undated
box 25, folder 3
Student poetry:
Finger Spasms, edited by Yamada
1980
box 25, folder 4
Student responses to
Sowing Ti Leaves
1992
Amnesty International records Series 4.
1975-1993
Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains correspondence, meeting materials, pamphlets, and other documentation relating to Yamada's activities
in Amnesty International, in particular with the Irvine Urgent Action Group and as an officer with Amnesty International U.S.A.
(AIUSA).
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically by topic.
box 6, folder 4
General Meetings
1982-1990
Committee on International Development
box 6, folder 10
Bilingual Literature Project
1990-1991
box 6, folder 11, box 7, folder 1
box 7, folder 2
Coordination groups
1988-1990
box 7, folder 3-4
Cultural diversification
1986-1990
box 8, folder 3
Armenia and Turkey
1989-1992
box 8, folder 12
International Council
1987-1991
Irvine, Adoption Group 178
box 9, folder 2
Rosters and committee lists
1981-1986
box 9, folder 3
Language Programs Unit
1990-1991
box 9, folder 4
Nagan, Winston P.
1987-1990
Scope and Contents note
South African anti-apartheid activist, writings about and by.
box 9, folder 5
Norwegian AI, Operation "A Day's Work" for Norwegian youth
1990-1991
box 9, folder 6
Publication lists
1987-1990
box 9, folder 7
Recruitment and media
1987-1992
box 9, folder 9
Regional and special presentations
1987-1991
box 9, folder 10
Regional planning and priorities
1987
Section Development Committee
box 9, folder 12
Africa (sub-Saharan)
1990-1992
box 9, folder 14
Asia, South Korea, and Bangkok
1990
box 10, folder 3
Indian subcontinent
1990-1991
box 10, folder 7
Spelman Conference on Women and Human Rights
1989-1990
box 10, folder 10
Urgent action letters
1977-1985
box 10, folder 11
Women's Action Group
1985-1991
box 10, folder 12
Women's Campaign
1984-1991
box 10, folder 13
Women's Case History Index
1991
box 10, folder 14
Women's intersectional meetings
1990-1991
box 11, folder 1
Work on Your Own Country Rule
1987
box 11, folder 2
Yamada: correspondence and clippings concerning her participation in AI
1975-1987
Subject files Series 5.
1973-2004
Physical Description: 2.4 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains correspondence, meeting documentation, pamphlet materials, journal reprints, news clippings, and other
materials that served to inform Yamada's teaching and political activism. Although most of the files were originally assembled
by Yamada, some were given to her by her brother, Rev. Michael Yasutake, a political and religious activist living in Chicago.
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically by topic within the following four major clusters: Asian Americans, campus activities, ethnic
studies, and women.
box 11, folder 3
Irvine Asian American Association
1990-1992
box 11, folder 9
Political issues
1979-1992
box 12, folder 2
Asian Pacific Women's Network
1989
box 12, folder 3
California Asian / Pacific Women's Conference
1979-1981
box 13, folder 8
Cultural pluralism
1976-1977
box 14, folder 1
Ethnic literature
1974-1986
box 14, folder 2
Ethnic studies programs
1973-1993
box 14, folder 3
Irvine Human Relations Commission
1986-1989
box 14, folder 4
Koreans in Japan
1980-1988
MELUS (Multi-ethnic Literature of the United States)
box 14, folder 6
Membership directory
1985-1997
box 14, folder 8
Orange County Pacific Asian American Center
1977-1981
box 25, folder 5-9
Political prisoners
1992-2004
Scope and Contents note
Contains poetry and writings by political prisoners that Yamada collected and Yamada's correspondence with political prisoners,
such as Marilyn Buck. Also includes articles and other information regarding political prisoners.
box 15, folder 7, box 25, folder 10
Woman's Building (Los Angeles)
1977-1992
box 15, folder 1
Decade for Women
1975-1986
box 15, folder 2
National Women's Conference
1977
National Women's Studies Association (NWSA) Conference,
box 15, folder 5
Radical Women's Conference
1976-1990
box 27, folder 1
"Remarkable American Women"
Life magazine special report
1976
box 25, folder 11
Other women's organization
1980-1986
box 15, folder 6
Women of Color Institute
1982-1987
Audiovisual materials Series 6.
1972-1995
Physical Description: 0.8 Linear Feet
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series primarily contains video and audio recordings of Yamada's public readings and interviews. It also includes recordings
of family members, conferences, and various topics of interest to her.
Arrangement
These materials are arranged alphabetically by topic and then by title.
Restrictions
These recordings are duplicating masters; use copies must be made prior to researcher use.
box 26, item A011-M to A0112-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 2 audiocassettes
Tosh, Hide (mother), and May,
1972
box 26, item A007-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
box 26, item A008-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Concert for
Strength and Diversity,
1990
box 26, item A001-M to A002-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 2 audiocassettes
Hakata - Tatsuo and Asako,
1981
box 26, item A009-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Japanese American camp experience,
undated
box 26, item A010-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Readings and interviews featuring Yamada
KPFK Judy Chen and M. Yamada,
undated
box 26, item A013-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
KPFK Mitsuye Yamada on political prisoners,
circa 1995
box 26, item A014-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Lesbian Writers Series Benefit,
1990
box 26, item A015-M to A016-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 2 audiocassettes
Sakura Hour interview,
1983
box 26, item A017-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Sculpture Garden reading,
1986
box 26, item A018-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Women's Building Workshop,
1980
box 26, item A019-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Women Writer's Workshop,
1977
box 26, item A020-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Conferences and workshops
Scope and Contents note
These recordings may or may not feature Yamada.
box 26, item A021-M to A023-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 3 audiocassettes
box 26, item A024-M to A029-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 6 audiocassettes
box 26, item A030-M to A031-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 2 audiocassettes
box 26, item A032-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Women Writers' Conference,
1977
box 26, item A033-M to A034-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 2 audiocassettes
Women Writers' Workshop,
1977
box 26, item A040-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Cypress college student readings,
undated
box 26, item A035-M to A038-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 4 audiocassettes
Tillie Olsen reading
Tell Me a Riddle,
1972, undated
box 26, item A039-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 audiocassette
Dorothy Gee appeal hearing,
1978
box 26, item A003-M to A006-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 4 audiocassettes
Bainbridge Island Japanese Internment ,
undated
box 16, item V002-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
Japanese American Internment: Oral History: Interviewees: Hisaye Yamamoto & Wakako Yamauchi,
1993
box 16, item V003-M to V004-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 2 VHS videocassettes
Strength and Diversity,
1990
box 16, item V001-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
The View From Within: Literature from the Camps,
undated
box 16, item V005-M to V006-M
Duplicating masters
General Physical Description note: 2 VHS videocassettes
Book talk featuring Yamada,
undated
box 16, item V012-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
Crossing Cultures: Cypress College Reading,
1985
box 16, item V008-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
Eliot Bay Book Store reading, Seattle,
1990
box 16, item V010-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
Orange County Poets,
1987
box 16, item V009-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
Write On, Women! SCLSSR Awards Dinner,
1995
box 16, item V007-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
International District After Dawn,
1984
box 16, item V011-M
Duplicating master
General Physical Description note: 1 VHS videocassette
