Kenzo Robert Koike Papers, 1918-1967 and undated, bulk 1921-1948

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Summary

Creators:
Koike, Kenzo Robert
Abstract:
Kenzo R. Koike was a Japanese American, born in 1920 in Seattle, Washington. At the age of 12, his family moved to Los Angeles, where he attended middle school, high school, and college. In 1942, the Koike family was removed from their Los Angeles home and sent to Heart Mountain Relocation center in Wyoming. By 1943, Kenzo Koike was drafted into the United States Army, where he served as a translator in Japan from 1945 to 1946. This collection includes documents and photographs from Koike's youth in Seattle and Los Angeles, including diplomas, year books, and registration cards. It also contains military documents and photographs from Koike's time in Japan, depicting bombings after World War II, traditional Japanese dress, and Koike's relatives. In addition, a garrison hat and an aviator hat from the war are located in this collection. Postcards of barracks in Fort Sheridan and correspondence with Koike's peers in Seattle are also in this collection.
Extent:
5.5 Linear Feet (4 document boxes, 1 clamshell box, 1 oversize map folder)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English , Japanese .

Background

Scope and content:

This collection focuses on the early life of Kenzo Koike with the bulk of materials from 1921 to 1948. There are materials from Koike's early life in schools and military documents, which includes correspondence from Koike's elementary school peers. Most of the collection is photographs from his time in the Army in Japan after World War II, including pictures of the rubble caused by multiple bombings. These materials portray the life of a Japanese American before, during, and after World War II, including artifacts, such as hats worn during his time in the Army. Through this collection, one can see the discrimination of a Nisei Japanese American during the mid- 20th century.

Acquisition information:
Purchase, 2013.
Arrangement:

This collection has been organized into the following series and subseries:

  • Series 1: Personal records, 1932-1967 and undated
  • Series 2: Photographs, 1921-1948 and undated
  • Subseries 2.1: Albums, 1921-1947 and undated
  • Subseries 2.2: Portraits, 1921-1943 and undated
  • Subseries 2.3: Japan, 1945-1948 and undated
  • Series 3: Postal materials, 1918-1932 and undated
  • Series 4: Realia, undated

The materials have been arranged alphabetically by folder title within each series and subseries.

Physical location:
Please consult repository.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
800 N. Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711, US
Contact:
(909) 607‑3977
specialcollections@claremont.edu
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