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Research Guides

Japanese Canadian Archival Collections

This guide provides background information on Japanese Canadian archival collections held at the University of Toronto Libraries

Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library Holdings

Collection Description Status
Fukuma, Mika Material comes from multiple editors of The New Canadian, and operations of the newspaper. This includes material sent to the newspaper from The Japanese Canadian Committee for Democracy and other similar groups. Material from Thomas Shoyama date from WWII when he joined the Canadian Army. This material is from the Department of National Defence and are education material for learning Japanese, Japan’s military structures, and political history. Other material, collected and created by Kenzo Mori, relate to the Japanese Evacuee Committee, which he helped organize during Japanese Canadian internment. Kenzo Mori collected many publications, which have been collected here. Lastly, news and press clippings have been collected regarding the treatment of Japanese Canadians and Japanese Americans, along with Japanese soldiers during WWII. They date primarily from 1942 and cover both the USA and Canada.

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Greater Toronto Chapter of the National Association of Japanese Canadians Fonds is comprised of textual records, photographs, a few media and ephemera items. Contains membership lists, meeting minutes and agendas for many of the committees the Toronto NAJC had and participated in. Much of the material covers the period when the community organized and sought redress for the internment of Japanese Canadians during WWII. Records relating to and created by the Redress Advisory and Assistance committee are also included

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Hemmy, Jack Itsuo  Fonds consists of 10 series and is comprised of of both photographs and textual records. The photographs are either loose or organized by Jack into albums. Many of the albums have marginalia noting who the sitter is, location, or other notable information. The subjects of the photographs are both the Okazaki and Hemmi families, as well as the Japanese Canadian community such as events held by the Japanese Consulate in Toronto and gatherings at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre through his freelance work with The New Canadian.

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Hidaka, Susan Material is comprised mostly of textual records from the founding of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, and some celebrating the success of the Momiji Seniors Centre. Some personal records from Susan Hidaka’s life are also included.

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Hirabayashi, Gordon 

Scope and content: Videos consist of recordings of television programs about Japanese American and Japanese Canadian internment. Many of these cassettes feature Hirabayashi as a subject. Audio cassettes are primarily recordings of interviews conducted by Hirabayashi on Japanese American and Japanese Canadian internment. Other recordings are from the Religious Society of Friends annual meetings. Some recordings are of Hirabayashi speaking on radio channels about his experiences during WWII.

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Hyodo, Terez Material was previously housed at Lynn Deutscher Kobayashi home. Lynn received the boxes from Michael Murakami. Though it is unclear why he transferred them to her, it is probably because he was in the process of downsizing at the time and was unable to give them to the Library then as we were not accepting any donations due to covid. Lynn Deutcher Kobayashi had the material brought to the Library in 2023.

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Imai, Ken The majority of the material covers the period when Rev. Canon Imai led the St. Andrew’s congregation in Toronto. Photos of the congregation and special events are included. Some of his written work is also present, offering an insight into his relationship with religion and community. The material also reflects how the Japanese Canadians who relocated to Toronto after internment created community.

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Imai, Shin Fonds is comprised primarily of articles and material advocating for Japanese Canadian Redress. Textual material from the formation and activities of the Sodan-Kai are also included.

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Kabayama, Michiomi Abraham (Abe) Contains printed material related to the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) task force of First Nations Canadians, including meeting announcements and agendas; a small amount of material related to the Earth Spirit Festival held in Toronto in 1991; plus related correspondence. Also includes biographical and genealogical booklets on the Kabayama family, with photographs.

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Kanbara, Bryce The collection consists of material collected by Kanbara during his time as an active member of the Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association (later the National Association of Japanese Canadians) and the various off-shoot organizations. Many of the records are from the period of the Japanese Canadian Centennial, and continue from the many organizations it inspired. Records relating to Japanese Canadian Redress are also included, including material from Sodan Kai. Later records from the NAJC’s art events where Kanbara played a significant role are present, like the AI symposium.

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Murakami, Michael  Accrual consists of photographs and negatives collected and taken by the donor’s parents, Aiko and David Murakami. Photographs are primarily from Aiko (nee. Kondo) Murakami and her family in Victoria, B.C. The photographic negatives are primarily taken by David Murakami. They include scenes of the Steveston fishing industry, and those who worked in it. The negatives also include images from the Japanese Canadian internment camps in Kaslo and New Denver, where the family was living. There are also some family photographs and accompanying negatives of the Murakami’s and their friends in Toronto, O.N.

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Shimizu, Hide  Contains official documents, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, photographs and other biographical material related to the life of Japanese Canadian Hide Shimizu and her family members. Includes material related to Shimizu's awards from the Order of Canada, the Order of the Precious Crown (Government of Japan) and the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC).

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Tokiwa, Masaji George The majority of the records are handwritten letters (written in kuzushiji) received by Tokiwa from Japan and friends across Canada. They are assumed to be from pre-WWII to after the war and his time in Toronto. Some photographs of the people of Ocean Falls, B.C. are also included. Due to the language skills needed to read these letters, no further or detailed descriptions have been created.

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Ueno, George Taishichi

The material is mix of textual materials encompassing many details of the Uyeno family’s life from mostly 1939 to 1947. Many early records where created from the daily business of Tashichi George Uyeno’s business, Richmond Trading Company. The records are intermixed with letters from Mary Uyeno, who aided the business from Japan. Her letters include business information but also more personal discussions about family matters. They offer a glimpse into the life of many Japanese Canadians who grew up in both countries, identifying as both Canadian and Japanese.

Records also include correspondence with the Office of the Custodian, as the Uyeno’s assets were seized and sold. There is also official notices from the Office of the Custodian notifying the family to move further east and eventually to Ontario. Letters from the later part of the 40s are in regards to the Bird Commission and the sale of larger assets, such as the family’s property in North Vancouver.

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Yamada, Shirley  Photographs, slides and negatives taken during Japanese Canadian redress campaign rallies in B.C., Ottawa and Washington, plus audio recordings of redress-related radio programs

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Yoshida Family The collection consists of 27 records (78 rpm), primarily made of shellac. Some of the records come with lyric sheets. Music is mostly popular Japanese songs from the 1950s.

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