Mukaeda (Katsuma) Papers, 1941-1996, bulk 1941-1960

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Summary

Title:
Katsuma Mukaeda papers
Dates:
1941-1996, bulk 1941-1960
Creators:
Mukaeda, Katsuma, 1890-1995
Abstract:
Katsuma Mukaeda was an Issei lawyer, community activist, and long-time president of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles, California. The collection consists of personal correspondence, photographs, community service medals, and biographical information spanning from 1941 to 1995.
Extent:
5 folders, 5 medals, 15 panorama photographs
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Katsuma Mukaeda papers. 2003.175, Japanese American National Museum. Los Angeles, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Katsuma Mukaeda Papers contain biographical information, personal correspondence, photographs, and 3D objects.

Biographical / historical:

Katsuma Mukaeda was born on November 19, 1890 in the Kumamoto prefecture of Japan. He immigrated to the United States in 1908 and began working on his uncle’s strawberry farm in Arcadia, California. Following the death of his uncle, Mukaeda, went on to attend the YMCA High School in Los Angeles and later attended college at the University of Southern California and the Southwestern University School of Law. His educational background and bilingual abilities allowed him to become a respected businessman and community leader in pre-War Los Angeles. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, he imported American films into Japan, held leadership positions in the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Central Japanese Association, and served as a court interpreter.

Following the outbreak of World War II, Mukaeda was sent to the Justice Department’s Santa Fe detention facility in 1942. Mukaeda’s bilingual skills allowed him to become a spokesman for fellow inmates and helped him build strong relationships with the Camp’s administration. Following the end of the War, Katsuma Mukaeda was threatened with forced repatriation to Japan. His case was eventually dropped and he was allowed to return to Los Angeles in 1946. Upon returning to Los Angeles, Mukaeda continued to be an active member of the city’s Japanese American community and served as the President of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center for 20 years. He remained involved in Los Angeles’ Japanese American community until his death in 1995.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mr. Richard K. Mukaeda, 2003.
Arrangement:

The Katsuma Mukaeda Papers is broken down into the following series and subseries:

Series 1: Personal Papers, 1941-1996

Subseries 1: Biographical Information, 1975-1996

Subseries 2: Correspondence, 1941-1981

Subseries 3: Letters of Reference, 1942-1953

This series contains the personal papers of Katsuma Mukaeda. Subseries 1 includes biographical information created by and for him. Subseries 2 includes his personal correspondence with friends, professional colleagues, and notable figures such as California Governor Edmund (Gerry) Brown and former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley. Subseries 3 includes letters of reference written for Katsuma Mukaeda by his professional colleagues when Mukaeda was threatened with forced repatriation.

Series 2: Photographs, 1947-1962

This series contains 15 panorama photographs commemorating various banquets. Banquet sponsors include the Japanese American Citizenz League, the Japanese Consulate in LA, the Japanese-American Society of Los Angeles, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, and the Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. Most are from community organization sponsored banquets, but there is also one in support of Governor Goodwin Knight.

Series 3: 3D Objects, 1975-1986

This series contains five medals awarded to Katsuma Mukaeda. All are enclosed in decorative boxes.

Physical location:
Japanese American National Museum, 100 N Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Alexandra Giffen
Date Prepared:
© 2015
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Lauren Zuchowski. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: September 28, 2015.

Access and use

Restrictions:

By appointment only. Please contact the Collections Management and Access Unit by email (collections@janm.org) or phone (213-830-5615).

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], Katsuma Mukaeda papers. 2003.175, 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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