Udo and Sasashima Family Papers, circa 1900-1945; undated

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Summary

Creators:
Takumi
Abstract:
This collection contains kensho mawashi (sumo ceremonial belt), wooden bird pins, books, and photographs. Photographs in the collection include images of sumo wrestlers, sumo wrestling tournaments and events, photographs from Los Angeles, and family photographs in the United States and Japan.
Extent:
2 boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

The Udo and Sasashima Family Papers (circa 1900-1940) includes a kensho mawashi (sumo ceremonial belt), wooden bird pins, books, and photographs related to sumo wrestling and the Sasashima and Udo family. The photographs in the collection are from sumo wrestling tournaments, photographs in Los Angeles, and family photographs of most likely Akiko with her children. The sumo wrestling photographs are most likely of her husband, Arata Sasashima. Additionally, there is one oversized photograph of an Udo family member, possibly Kichihei Udo, and a panoramic photograph of a sumo wrestling tournament in California.

Biographical / historical:

Ottojiro (Otto) Sasashima (circa 1877) immigrated to the United States around 1905. He was married to Kura Noguchi, who most likely immigrated to the United States later than her husband. They had two sons, Arata Sasashima (1902-May 14, 1961), who grew up in Japan until he came to the United States, and Chester Sasashima (April 5, 1917-April 13, 1999). Their mother, Kura, died during the influenza epidemic in 1918.

Arata Sasashima immigrated to the United States in 1917. Before moving to the United States, Arata may have been a sumo wrestler. He wrestled in the 1930s in California. In 1937, he married his wife, Akiko Lilie Udo Sasashima (July 19, 1916-February 20, 2013), and they had five children together, Barbara Takumi, Peggy Sasashima Liggett, Shirley Ihara, Linda Sasashima, and Larry Sasashima. The Sasashima family was forcibly removed to the Rower incarceration camp during World War II. At the end of World War II, they moved back to Sanger, California. In 1955, Arata and his brother Chester bought a farm together.

Chester Sasashima grew up in the United States after his brother died in 1918, he was adopted by a hispanic family who worked with his father. Around twelve years old Chester moved back in with Otto, until he died when Chester was in high school. After Otto died, Chester moved in with his widowed uncle and his uncle's partner who owned a truck farm together. Chester worked on the farm until he was drafted in 1940 to the 40th Infantry Division. Following his discharge in December 1945, he went to California Flyers School and got his engineer aircraft government license. He worked for several aircraft agencies in Los Angeles before working on a farm and later opening his own with his brother. Chester worked on the farm until he got a job at General Cable. Chester and Aikiko later married in 1966 and continued to operate the farm.

Kichitaro Udo (September 1879 or 1880-1961) immigrated from Japan when he was young and met his wife, Sude Fukushia (August 10, 1988 or 1889-1972). Kichitaro and Sude were married in San Francisco in 1915. They had seven children together, including Akiko Lilie Udo Sasashima. The family briefly moved back to Japan when Kichitaro's parents died, and the family stayed for a few years. During World War II, the Udo family was incarcerated at the Granada incarceration camp. They most likely moved back to California after the war.

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated by Barbara Takumi in 2020.
Processing information:

This collection was processed by Jennifer Hill in 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of the Gerth Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Gerth Archives and 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.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website