Journal, “My Manga Journal, 1984.1”, 1984

File — Box: 2, Folder: 7

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

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

1984

Extent

From the Collection: 14 boxes

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

From the Collection: Japanese

Additional Description

General

Hardbound journal, in Japanese, mostly contains sketches, watercolors and musings about Yuki’s life experiences; labels affixed to spine and cover; Yuki suffered from cancer and her first entry, accompanied by an illustration of a daruma, can be loosely translated as follows: “This is my New Year card. I tried a different New Year’s card [first but decided to] draw a good luck charm [instead]. Up until the end of last year, I was in the hospital. I came out on December 26. I had to make my “best effort” to get out and get back on my feet. That is why I chose to draw a daruma [for my New Year’s card]-they bounce back.”; page 3 contains an illustration and recollection about a stuffed koala bear named Gon-cha (little Gon) that kept Yuki company in the hospital; page 4 contains a haiku about a plant with a strong spirit that tells you spring is coming; page 5 is entitled “Green Tea Party” and describes a green tea ceremony that Yuki shared with her roommate at the hospital; she enjoyed the tea so much that she had three cups and could not sleep afterwards; the last entries are related to forgetfulness; Yuki relates humorous incidents where she confused her pajama bottoms with her pajama tops, missed trains and almost missed deadlines; contents in good condition although cover is stained and worn