Oregon Nikkei History

Obon in Portland

Frank Hirahara took this photo of odori dancing at an Obon festival, circa 1948-54. Members of the Oregon Buddhist Church and others in the Nikkei community performed bon odori in a number of places over the years, including Washington Park and the North Park Blocks in downtown Portland. This photo may have been taken at Holladay Park in Portland.

Odori Dancers

Photo (taken by Frank C. Hirahara) of members of the Oregon Buddhist Church and Epworth United Methodist Church of Portland, circa 1948-54. They are all holding American and Japanese flags, but the occasion is unknown. Left to right: Ed Tamiyasu, Alice Kida, Jean (Tsujimura) Takashima, Jean (Kida) Tomita, Shizuko (Ochiai) Okazaki, Alice (Matsumoto) Ando.

Council Crest is a park in Portland, and in 1912 (when this picture was taken), Council Crest Amusement Park was a popular attraction, accessible only by streetcar. The amusement park closed in 1929.

Kikuo Hiromura (the image donor’s father) is on the far left of this portrait. The others are unknown.

Nisei field trip

The date and occasion of this outing are unknown, but it is probably in Portland. The image donor’s family lived in Portland, and one of his brothers is in the group of children. Circa 1931.

The Mikado baseball team of Portland, Oregon, circa 1936. Players include George Somekawa, George Marumoto, John Murakami, George Azumano, Art Somekawa, Hood Shiogi, and Salem Yagawa.

Dr. Kei Koyama in his dental office at NW 3rd Avenue and Couch Street in Portland’s Japantown, circa 1941. Dr. Koyama’s office was in the Merchant Hotel building.

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.

1937 Undokai, Portland

The annual undokai (or community picnic) was the big event of the year, usually held in the early summer. Activities included races and dancing for both children and adults. The undokai always included an elaborate lunch with tasty dishes such as nishime, onigiri, fried chicken, teriyaki chicken, dried fish, pickles and sushi. This photo is dated May 13, 1937, and was taken in Portland, Oregon.

JACL Convention farewell banquet

The 6th biennial national JACL (Japanese American Citizens League) convention was held at the Multnomah Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon, in 1940.

From the Pacific Citizen:
“At the last prewar biennial (Portland: Aug. 28-Sept. 2 at Multnomah Hotel), Saburo Kido was elected national president. Unbeknownst, he and the rest of the elected national officers were to hold rein for six years - the duration of World War II.”

The Girl Reserves Nisei basketball team of Portland, Oregon, circa 1940.

The Enzo Iwashita family at a picnic in Portland, Oregon, circa 1929.

Portland Sumo Club, circa 1930

Saito Fish Company, Portland’s Japantown

Mr. Saito driving the Saito Fish Co. car, circa 1915. The Saito Fish Market was located in Portland’s Japantown on what is now NW Fourth Avenue.

1940 Japanese Association parade float, Portland Rose Festival

This float from the 1940 floral parade was honored as the “Goodwill Float - First Prize Winner.” This float continues a pattern of earlier Japanese American community floats from the Rose Festival that feature Japanese and American flags quite prominently. They have also depicted a globe with doves suspended over it, reflecting a desire for peace as World War II had already begun in East Asia and Europe.

1930 Japanese community Portland Rose Festival parade float

Portland’s Japanese community used to participate annually in the Rose Festival’s floral parade, particularly in the 1920s and ’30s as their families grew (and grew up). This float from 1930 features a torii at the front and a large Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu) at the back. The girls on the float are all dressed formally and are wearing tiaras, so this was probably the 1930 Japanese American community queen and princesses.