George Fujii papers, 1942-1945, bulk 1942

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Summary

Creators:
Fujii, George
Abstract:
This collection consists of letters between George and Mary Fujii, note cards created by George in his spare time while separated from his family, and one family portrait taken once the family was reunited in Crystal City, Texas.
Extent:
11 folders
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], George Fujii papers. 96.15, Japanese American National Museum. Los Angeles, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection illustrates daily life during World War II through George Fujii’s daily schedules and strategy cards as well as letters between George and his wife, Mary. Although little is known about the family outside of the context of World War II, the note cards and letters prove valuable in portraying everyday life.

Biographical / historical:

George Fujii was born in 1901 in Japan. He worked as a salesman and had involvement with Pioneer Oyster Company as well as Eagle Rock Oyster Company. George and his wife, Mary, lived in Seattle, Washington and had three children (Arline, John, and Raiko). Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, George was incarcerated in Department of Justice camps in Bismarck, North Dakota and Lordsburg, New Mexico. Mary stayed in Washington until being incarcerated with her children in Tule Lake. Eventually, the family was reunited in Crystal City, Texas.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Arline, John, and Rayko Fujii, 1996.
Arrangement:

Letters have been arranged chronologically. The collection has been broken down into the following series:

Series 1: Photographs

One black and white photograph of George and Mary with their children, Arline, John, and Raiko. The family portrait was taken in Crystal City and dated 1945.

Series 2: Correspondence

36 sheets of personal correspondence between Mary and George Fujii from February 28, 1942 through November 5, 1942. Covers the time during in which George Fujii was incarcerated in Bismarck, North Dakota and Lordsburg, New Mexico and wife Mary was living in Seattle, Washington; Long Beach, Washington; and Tule Lake, California. There is one letter addressed to Pioneer Oyster Company from George Fujii at the Bismarck camp concerning oyster business dated February 28, 1942. Another letter is addressed to Reginald H. Parsons from George Fujii concerning a petition for a re-hearing of his incarceration. The letters written by George Fujii to Mary Fujii are all typewritten in great detail concerning matters of business left behind in Seattle, WA; preparations to evacuate; concerns for health, well being of wife and 2 children; day to day activities as an internee in camp. Mary Fujii's letters are handwritten. Lined and unlined paper and onion skin paper used.

Series 3: Note Cards

57 note cards made by George Fujii while at Bismarck, North Dakota during his spare time. One card is a "Daily Schedule" card detailing minute by minute schedule of Fujii's activities. It is written in English. The back is written in Japanese. The rest of the cards are in Japanese only, with hand drawn strategy charts for the Japanese chess game called "Go."

Physical location:
Japanese American National Museum 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

By appointment only. Please Contact the Collections Management and Access Unit by email (collections@janm.org) or telephone (213-830-5615).

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Hirasaki National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum (collections@janm.org).

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], George Fujii papers. 96.15, Japanese American National Museum. Los Angeles, CA.

Location of this collection:
Collections Management & Access Unit
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012, US
Contact:
213-625-0414
collections@janm.org
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