Inventory of the Horita Family Papers SPC.2021.026

Allison Wall
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2022/09/20
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu


Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Horita Family Papers
source: Horita
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2021.026
Physical Description: 4 boxes
Physical Description: 2.6 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1940-2010, undated
Abstract: The Horita Family Papers (1940-2010, undated) collection contains 2.6 linear feet of documents from the Horita family, a Japanese American family from the Los Angeles area. The collection focuses on married couple Chitoshi "Harry" Horita (1896-1990) and Marue Nakashima Horita (1901-1982) and their extended family and includes records of the family's incarceration at the Poston (Colorado River) incarceration camp, research into the family's history, photographs, and correspondence.
Language of Material: English .

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into four series:
  1. Documents relating to Poston Incarceration Camp
  2. Family History
  3. Photographs
  4. Correspondence

Preferred Citation

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

Scope and Contents

Horita Family Papers (1940-2010, undated) contains materials documenting the history of the Horita family. This includes records of their incarceration the at Poston (Colorado River) incarceration camp, including forced removal papers and official camp documents, as well as research into the family's history, including a family tree, family crest, personal identification documents, and education documents. Also included are photographs of family members and trips to Japan, family correspondence, and eight ink-on-paper drawings.

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.

Biographical / Historical

Chitoshi "Harry" Horita was born in 1896 in Kutami, Kumamoto, Japan. He married Marue Nakashima (1901-1982) in August of 1923. They had seven children. The Horita family was incarcerated at the Poston (Colorado River) incarceration camp in Parker, Arizona from 1941-1945. Chitoshi and Marue later moved to Los Angeles, where Chitoshi worked as a dry cleaner. The couple, along with their children and grandchildren, visited Japan several times over the course of the next few decades (which they documented in the photo albums contained in this collection) and remained deeply involved with the Japanese American community in the Los Angeles area.

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. 

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Japanese American families
World War, 1939-1945 -- Forced removal of civilians -- United States
Japan
Family life
Photograph albums
Family vacations
Poston Incarceration Camp
Horita

 

Documents related to Poston (Colorado River) incarceration camp 1942-1944

Physical Description: 4 folders

Scope and Contents

This series contains documents relating to the Horita Family's incarceration at the Poston (Colorado River) Incarceration Camp, including family documents, relocation papers, and official camp documents.
box 1, folder 1-3

Poston Relocation Important Papers 1942-1944

Scope and Contents

This file contains documents relating to the forced removal of the Horita family, including a letter from the Department of Justice, railway travel information, parole records, financial documents, a war ration book, correspondence, financial records, Request for Transportation of Property document , and a certificate from the Poston School of Tailoring for Marue Horita along with sewing patterns. Also included are a passport for Marue Horita and a Certificate of Naturalization for Chitoshi Horita and Marue Horita.

Processing Information

The title of this folder was taken from the original binder.
box 1, folder 4

Poston (Colorado River) incarcation camp official documents circa 1942-1944

 

Family History 1941-2010, undated

Physical Description: 8 folders

Scope and Contents

This series contains documents relating to the history of the Horita family, including prayer books, a family tree, research into the family's history, personal identification documents, education documents, memorial service information, and eight ink-on-paper drawings.
box 1, folder 5

Prayer books undated

box 1, folder 6

Family tree undated

box 1, folder 7

Family crest and photographs undated

box 1, folder 8

Family research 2010

box 1, folder 9

Personal identification documents 1942-1981

box 1, folder 10

Education documents 1941-1945

box 1, folder 11

1999 Eitaikyo Perpetual Memorial Service Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple 1999

box 1, folder 12

1999 Eitaikyo Perpetual Memorial Service Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple 2000

box 1, folder 13

Monterey Park Japanese American Seniors Incorporated 1970-1979

drawer 3, folder 9

Ink drawings undated

 

Photographs 1940-1999, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains family photographs, including pictures from various trips to Japan, professional group portraits, and other images of various family members.
box 1, folder 14

Family photographs 1999

box 1, item 1

Family group photo with mat undated

box 2, folder 1

Family photographs, miscellaneous subjects, 1 of 2 1940-1976, undated

box 2, folder 2

Family photographs, miscellaneous subjects, 2 of 2 1950-2007, undated

box 2, folder 3

Family photographs taken in Kutami, Kumamoto Japan 1960, undated

box 2, folder 4

Toshiko Horita Okutsu photo album circa 1940-1949

box 2, folder 5

Family album with notes and flowers 1981, undated

box 2, folder 6

Photograph album made for the late Marue Horita March 1981

box 2, folder 7

1965 Visit to Japan 1965

box 3, folder 1

1977 trip to Japan 1977

box 3, folder 2

1979 trip to Japan 1979

box 3, folder 3

Other family photographs undated

 

Family Correspondence 1945-2008

Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondence from the Horita family. This includes letters to extended family about family history (along with photographs), as well as plans for family events. Also included are letters regarding the death of a family member.
box 4, folder 1

Family correspondence regarding Naoto Nakashima 2006-2007

Scope and Contents

This file contains printed email correspondence with extended family regarding the passing of a family member, Naoto Nakashima. Also included are a copy of Nakashima's death certificate, a writing by Nakashima, and photographs of him.
box 4, folder 2

Family correspondence and related photographs 1945-2007

Scope and Contents

This file contains letters and printed out emails to family members exchanging family photographs. Also included are caligraphy and images on paper done by a family member while in the hospital.
box 4, folder 3

Family correspondence and events 1984-2008, undated

Scope and Contents

This file contains mailed correspondence regarding family events, including a graduation and memorial service, as well as a floor plan and program for the memorial service.