Oregon Nikkei History
On this site we highlight photos from our historical collection housed at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center in Portland's Old Town neighborhood, as well as other information about history and Japanese Americans in Oregon. Please visit www.oregonnikkei.org to learn more about the Oregon Nikkei Endowment and its programs.
Kikuo Hiromura, the father of the donor of this photo, wearing what appears to be work attire. This photo is unique in that it is one of the few where Kikuo is smiling. Circa 1920s.
The Hood River Nikkei community is shown gathered in front of the Japanese Community Hall in 1929, commemorating Japanese Ambassador Debuchi’s visit.
The Endow Family of Hood River, circa 1926. From left to right: Tei, Kane, Mitsue, Shoichi, Shohei.
Japanese American families looking for clams, circa 1925. The donor of photo thought that it might have been taken in Japan, but the Western clothes suggest this beach is somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
The Hood River Nikkei community gathered to celebrate the enthronement of Emperor Hirohito, 1928. This picture is unique in that it includes almost the entire Japanese American population in the Hood River Valley.
Teruo Tsuboi at the Tsuboi Bros. jewelry store, possibly repairing a pocket watch, circa 1920. The Tsuboi Bros. store was located in Portland’s Japantown on what is now NW 6th Avenue and Burnside Street.
The Enzo Iwashita family at a picnic in Portland, Oregon, circa 1929.
Oregon Japanese Farmers float, Portland Rose Festival
Float for the floral parade built by a group of Japanese farmers from Oregon, circa 1920. The people in this photo are unidentified.
The float is decorated with various crops grown by the farmers including the base and chimney (potatoes), the upper walls (onions), and the roof trim (cabbages).
This float was built during a time of growing anti-Japanese sentiment in Oregon, particularly against Japanese farmers. The American flag is prominently displayed on this float several times: the two flags at the front of the roof, bunting on the inside of the structure, and the roof itself.
Read more about the history of Japanese Americans in Oregon at the Oregon Encyclopedia.
Issei baseball players from the S. Ban team of Portland and a California team. The commemorative opening game between the S. Ban and California teams was March 18, 1920. The S. Ban team may have been the second Issei baseball team in the Portland area.
