Journal, “Flower Diary, 1981.5-1985.4”, 1981-1985
Scope and Contents
The Yamamoto family papers contain records and photographs related to the lives of Cho and Jinzo "Joe" Yamamoto and their two daughters, Yuki and Fumi. Included in the collection are passports and travel documents related to Cho and Jinzo’s passage from Japan to the United States (1917, 1920), naturalization documents (1956) and Cho’s watercolor drawings (ca. 1963). Also included are Yuki Yamamoto’s poems (1938-1939), telegrams sent to her during World War II (1942-1945), personal journals and sketches (1971-1986), correspondence sent to her sister, Fumi (1945-1980s) and a collection of drawings. Additionally, the collection contains Fumi Yamamoto’s passports, report cards and diplomas (1928-1951), journals (1944-1998), fiction and non-fiction writings (1939-1960s), postcards from friends and family (1940s-1970s) and miscellaneous material, including sorobans (abacuses), and a biographical, academic paper (1997) that was written by a Northwestern University student after she conducted an interview with Fumi.
The Photographs series contains images from both Japan and the U.S. reflecting Cho and Jinzo's early married life, their daughters' childhoods in Whitefish, MT and Spokane, WA, Yuki's adult life in Japan, Fumi's adult life in New York and Chicago, and Cho and Fumi's trips to Japan to visit Yuki. Of note are photographs of Jinzo "Joe" Yamamoto in a United States military uniform, Jinzo and Cho in their Japanese market in Spokane, WA, and the Yamamoto family on a ship as they bid farewell to Yuki on her departure for Japan.
Dates
- 1981-1985
Extent
From the Collection: 14 boxes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: Japanese
General
Journal, in Japanese, contains watercolors and poetic descriptions of flowers; loosely woven fabric cover contains handwritten title; interior page has a stamp with the author’s name, Yuki; the artist describes the physical characteristics of each flower and her personal impressions of the flower; she often assigns human characteristics to the flowers; for example, she states “on a cloudy day, I do not see any flowers, however, when the clouds allow a quick sliver of sunlight, the flowers smile; but when the clouds hide the light the flowers say sayonara!”; one may secure the journal with a brown fabric tie; fragile condition; pages have detached from the text block
Repository Details
Part of the JASC Legacy Center Repository