This collection consists of publications by prefectural associations, that is, "kenjinkais 県人会," in Southern California and Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California, "Nanka Kenjin Kyogikai 南加県人会協議会." The organizations have compiled commemorative publications to celebrate their major anniversary milestones, and those publications are not widely known about but distributed among the members only. Anniversary booklets include an overview of their history, historical images, biographical information on the members, information about events and activities, and local businesses' advertisements.

Kenjinkais, that is, Japanese prefectural associations, were formed by the Issei, who immigrated from the same prefectures in Japan. Although the associations were politically active at one time when competing for the seats of the Japanese Associations, "Nihonjinkais," which functioned as a proxy for the Japanese government in the United States, kenjinkais mainly served as mutual aid societies in the community. They provided services to meet Japanese immigrants' needs, bringing together the people who shared the same dialects and lifestyles in their hometowns, promoting the community network to support businesses and hiring, aiding the people struggling from hardships, and coordinating funerals for the members who had no family in the U.S. The first kenjinkai established in Southern California was the Nanka Kagoshima Kenjinkai in 1899, and other earlier kenjinkais emerged between 1904 and 1915. Their auxiliary women's societies and youth groups followed, enhancing the network and supporting educational programs.Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California 南加県人会協議会 is a federation of kenjinkais which was initiated by Consul General Toshiro Shimanouchi of Japan in 1964 to promote communication and collaboration among them. As of 2023, 39 prefectures among 47 prefectures in Japan exist in the Southern California.

4 boxes (4 document boxes)

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There are no access restrictions on this collection.