Masakazu Iwata papers, 1907-1998

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Summary

Creators:
Iwata, Masakazu, 1917-
Abstract:
This collection contains documents related to Masakazu Iwata’s agricultural research, primarily for his book “Planted in Good Soil,” with items dating from 1907 to 1998. Items include notes, drafts and typescripts, newspaper clippings, reports, correspondence, and other materials related to his publications.
Extent:
15 linear feet (15 boxes, 1 flat folder)
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Iwata (Masakazu) Papers. 94.58 [or 2003.176 if appropriate], Japanese American National Museum. Los Angeles, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials related to Masakazu Iwata’s research on Japanese American involvement in agriculture, with items dating from 1907 to 1998. A large portion of the papers are drafts, research notes, typescripts, bibliographies, and proofs of chapters from Iwata’s book “Planted in Good Soil.” Iwata collected information on Japanese Americans (and Japanese in other parts of the world), agriculture in the United States, immigration, and other topics. In addition to reports by others used as reference materials, the collection includes a few articles published by Iwata. Index cards and microfilm reels used during research, expense ledgers from the 1930s, and a copy of Iwata’s PhD dissertation are also included.

Biographical / historical:

Masakazu Iwata was born October 21, 1917, in Los Angeles County. He received his BA, MA, and PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as studying later at the University of Southern California and in Tokyo. He married his wife, Doreen, on July 5, 1952. Iwata eventually became a history professor at Biola University, where he was also chair of the history department from 1968 to 1977. He wrote two books (“Okuba Toshimichi: The Bismarck of Japan” and “Planted in Good Soil”) and many articles, and was awarded the 1993 National Book Award for Lifetime Scholarship by the Association for Asian American Studies. He died on March 16, 1998.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Masakazu Iwata, 1994.
Processing information:

The collection contents were verified and re-listed in 2016 by Jamie Henricks. Some initial processing was done by Keiko Nishimura.

Arrangement:

Original arrangement and folder titles were preserved; folder titles were supplied when necessary.

Physical location:
Japanese American National Museum. 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 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 (213-830-5619). Advanced notice is required.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Collections Management and Access Unit at the Japanese American National Museum (collections@janm.org).

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Iwata (Masakazu) Papers. 94.58 [or 2003.176 if appropriate], 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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