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.

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.

15 linear feet (15 boxes, 1 flat folder)

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).

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.