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:
- Documents relating to Poston Incarceration Camp
- Family History
- Photographs
- Correspondence
Preferred Citation
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
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 7
Family crest and photographs
undated
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
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, 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 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.