Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of History
First Advisor
Gordon B. Dodds
Term of Graduation
Spring 2000
Date of Publication
5-22-2000
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.) in History
Department
History
Language
English
Subjects
Japanese Americans -- Pacific Northwest -- History -- 20th century, Japanese Americans -- Education -- Pacific Northwest -- History -- 20th century, Japanese Schools -- Pacific Northwest -- History -- 20th century
Physical Description
1 online resource (xii, 149 pages)
Abstract
The Pacific Northwest opened a door of opportunity for people from all over the world. Among those who settled there to pursue the American dream were many Japanese and their descendants. Since the establishment of direct shipping line between the Pacific Northwest and Japan in the late nineteenth century, numerous Japanese immigrants crossed the Pacific Ocean to seek employment in the United States. As the number of lssei (first generation Japanese) increased, they began to organize institutions to help each other and improve their life in the New World. One of the most significant institutions was the Japanese Language School. More than forty schools were founded in Oregon and Washington before World War II for Nisei children to learn Japanese language and cultural tradition.
This study first explores a general profile of the early Japanese settlers. It then moves to a consideration of Nisei educational programs at the Japanese language schools, including an overview of the history and roles of the schools; school lessons and textbooks; and the problems schools faced under a rising tide of Anti-Japanese sentiment throughout the time period. This thesis finally investigates the correlation between school education and the formation of Nisei identity. A wide variety of sources are used to provide insight including books, journal articles, newspapers, Japanese textbooks, and oral history interviews. These oral interviews are especially helpful to vividly describe the feelings and thoughts of Nisei students who attended the schools.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44636
Recommended Citation
Sadahiro, Misako, "The American of Japanese Heritage: Nisei (Second-Generation Japanese Americans) and Their School Education in the Pacific Northwest Before World War II" (2000). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 7038.