Inventory of the City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show Photograph Albums SPC.1900.032

Jennifer Hill
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2022-01-25
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu


Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show Photograph Albums
Creator: Nishimura, Bill Toru
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.1900.032
Physical Description: 1 box 5 albums
Physical Description: 0.42 box
Date (inclusive): 1980-1986
Abstract: This collection includes five photograph albums from the City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show sponsored by the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association. The albums contain newspaper clippings, photographs, programs, and invitation letters for the event. Topics include Japanese American gardeners, bonsai, ikebana, Japanese gardens, martial arts, and other topics related to the event and the Nikkei (Japanese American) community.
Language of Material: English .

Scope and Contents

City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show Photograph Albums (0.42 linear feet) contains five photograph albums from 1980 to 1986. The albums include newspaper clippings, photographs, programs, and invitation letters for the Japanese Cultural Show event held in Gardena, California, and sponsored by the Gardena Valley Gardeners Association (GVGA). The GVGA was formed in 1955, and the first City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show was held in December 1961. Photographs from the event include bonsai, ikebana arrangements, Japanese gardens, and other displays. Other images from the events and demonstrations include Karate demonstrations, Judo and Kendo tournaments, Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), Buyo (Japanese classic dance), and other displays, demonstrations, and events during the show.

Preferred Citation

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material  guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Related Materials

This collection is part of the California State University Japanese American Digitization Project. For related materials please consult: CSU Japanese American Digitization Project. 

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated by Bill Nishimura.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jennifer Hill in 2022. The titles are from the album covers.

Biographical / Historical

The Gardena Valley Gardners Association (GVGA) was formed in July 1955 and had its first meeting at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI). In November 1960, the GVGA invited the Gardena Mayor to the Fourth Annual California Landscape Gardeners' Convention. The mayor later approached the organization to begin a beautification program for the City of Gardena. As a result, in 1961, the GVCA created the Issei Japanese Garden on 162nd Street. Following the Issei Japanese Garden installation, they organized the inaugural Miniature Landscaping Show in December 1961, later renamed the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Show, in 1968. The events were held in the Gardena Valley Community Center and later in the Ken Nakaoka Center. The last show was in 1996.

Bibliography

Nakagawa, Martha. "Gardena Valley Gardeners Association to Disband." Rafu Shimpo, Rafu Shimpo, 5 Aug. 2021, https://rafu.com/2016/01/gardena-valley-gardeners-association-to-disband/.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Japanese American gardeners -- California, Southern
Gardens, Japanese--California, Southern
Landscape gardening
Flower arrangement, Japanese
Japanese Americans
Bonsai
Gardena (Calif.)
Gardena Valley Gardners Association

box 1, folder 1

Nineteenth Annual City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show photograph album 1980

box 1, folder 2

Twenty-second Annual City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show photograph album 1983

box 1, folder 3

Twenty-third Annual City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show photograph album 1984

box 1, folder 4

Twenty-fourth Annual City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show photograph album 1985

box 1, folder 5

Twenty-five Anniversary City of Gardena Japanese Cultural Show photograph album 1986