Densho
@denshoproject.bsky.social
Preserves and shares history of the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans to promote equity and justice today.
In honor of Densho’s 30th anniversary, Densho staff chose 30 of their favorite objects from the Densho Digital Repository (DDR). These objects are ones that are particularly meaningful to staff for a variety of reasons.
January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
In honor of Densho’s 30th anniversary, Densho staff chose 30 of their favorite objects from the Densho Digital Repository (DDR). These objects are ones that are particularly meaningful to staff for a variety of reasons.
Unchecked state power endangers lives and erodes democracy.
January 26, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Unchecked state power endangers lives and erodes democracy.
As part of Densho’s “30 Oral Histories for 30 Years” series, this interview with Peggie Nishimura Bain offers a vivid reflection on creativity, ingenuity, and survival under incarceration, revealing how everyday acts of creation carried meaning far beyond their materials.
January 23, 2026 at 4:02 PM
As part of Densho’s “30 Oral Histories for 30 Years” series, this interview with Peggie Nishimura Bain offers a vivid reflection on creativity, ingenuity, and survival under incarceration, revealing how everyday acts of creation carried meaning far beyond their materials.
In our latest Catalyst article, Densho Archives Team intern Kathryn Perry Bolin explores the Yasui Family Collection—a rich repository illuminating both a landmark legal case and the intimate contours of everyday life.
January 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM
In our latest Catalyst article, Densho Archives Team intern Kathryn Perry Bolin explores the Yasui Family Collection—a rich repository illuminating both a landmark legal case and the intimate contours of everyday life.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2016, a moment of protest became a moment of invitation.
January 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2016, a moment of protest became a moment of invitation.
Today, January 17, marks 25 years since Minidoka National Historic Site joined the National Park Service.
January 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Today, January 17, marks 25 years since Minidoka National Historic Site joined the National Park Service.
As the first installment of Densho’s “30 Oral Histories for 30 Years” series, this interview with Dale Minami offers insight, challenge, and inspiration, inviting us to reflect on how history shapes who we are and what we owe one another.
January 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
As the first installment of Densho’s “30 Oral Histories for 30 Years” series, this interview with Dale Minami offers insight, challenge, and inspiration, inviting us to reflect on how history shapes who we are and what we owe one another.
We are excited to welcome Maya Hayashi as Densho’s new Event Manager! Maya will be leading the planning and production of a large in-person gala honoring Densho’s 30th anniversary.
January 13, 2026 at 4:02 PM
We are excited to welcome Maya Hayashi as Densho’s new Event Manager! Maya will be leading the planning and production of a large in-person gala honoring Densho’s 30th anniversary.
Captured in this photograph, #OTD in 1943, Japanese Americans purchased their weekly copy of The Sentinel, the newspaper published in the Heart Mountain concentration camp.
January 9, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Captured in this photograph, #OTD in 1943, Japanese Americans purchased their weekly copy of The Sentinel, the newspaper published in the Heart Mountain concentration camp.
Our year-end giving campaign has officially come to a close, and we want to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported Densho. Your generosity and belief in this work carried us through the close of the year and into 2026 with renewed purpose.
January 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Our year-end giving campaign has officially come to a close, and we want to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported Densho. Your generosity and belief in this work carried us through the close of the year and into 2026 with renewed purpose.
This year, Densho turns 30.
Executive Director Naomi Ostwald Kawamura reflects on the organization’s past, present, and future, honoring the community that built Densho and addressing the urgent work of protecting public history in an increasingly divided moment.
Executive Director Naomi Ostwald Kawamura reflects on the organization’s past, present, and future, honoring the community that built Densho and addressing the urgent work of protecting public history in an increasingly divided moment.
January 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM
This year, Densho turns 30.
Executive Director Naomi Ostwald Kawamura reflects on the organization’s past, present, and future, honoring the community that built Densho and addressing the urgent work of protecting public history in an increasingly divided moment.
Executive Director Naomi Ostwald Kawamura reflects on the organization’s past, present, and future, honoring the community that built Densho and addressing the urgent work of protecting public history in an increasingly divided moment.
Oshogatsu, or New Years, has always held an important place in the Japanese American community, even during WWII. These images show the New Year’s Day celebration at Amache in 1945, bearing witness to the creation of joy and community, even in confinement. Happy New Year from all of us at Densho!
January 1, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Oshogatsu, or New Years, has always held an important place in the Japanese American community, even during WWII. These images show the New Year’s Day celebration at Amache in 1945, bearing witness to the creation of joy and community, even in confinement. Happy New Year from all of us at Densho!
Eiichi Edward Sakauye filmed life at the Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming between 1943 and 1945 on 8mm film. Decades later, he revisited that footage, offering voice-over reflections that bring these images into fuller view.
December 31, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Eiichi Edward Sakauye filmed life at the Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming between 1943 and 1945 on 8mm film. Decades later, he revisited that footage, offering voice-over reflections that bring these images into fuller view.
After her two decades of dedicated service to Densho, we’re celebrating the retirement of Naoko Tanabe, Densho’s Japanese Researcher, Translator, and a beloved member of our team since 2006. Naoko’s care, humor, and dedication have left a lasting mark on our work and community.
December 29, 2025 at 11:04 PM
After her two decades of dedicated service to Densho, we’re celebrating the retirement of Naoko Tanabe, Densho’s Japanese Researcher, Translator, and a beloved member of our team since 2006. Naoko’s care, humor, and dedication have left a lasting mark on our work and community.
During his first Christmas at the Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho in 1942, Tsuguo “Ike” Ikeda remembers that the holiday spirit still found a way to shine.
December 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
During his first Christmas at the Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho in 1942, Tsuguo “Ike” Ikeda remembers that the holiday spirit still found a way to shine.
Diana Morita Cole was born in the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Although the closure of the camps began in December 1944, Diana’s family still lived in Minidoka until October 1945. When she was just a year and a half old, her family left for Chicago, Illinois.
December 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Diana Morita Cole was born in the Minidoka concentration camp, Idaho. Although the closure of the camps began in December 1944, Diana’s family still lived in Minidoka until October 1945. When she was just a year and a half old, her family left for Chicago, Illinois.
Today marks the anniversary of Ex Parte Endo, the Supreme Court decision that helped end the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. Decided on December 18, 1944, it ruled the government could not detain loyal citizens without justification, prompting the closure of the camps.
December 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Today marks the anniversary of Ex Parte Endo, the Supreme Court decision that helped end the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. Decided on December 18, 1944, it ruled the government could not detain loyal citizens without justification, prompting the closure of the camps.
As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect not only on the unprecedented challenges that this year posed but also on the ways that we grew, mobilized, and stepped up to meet them. We welcomed new team members, expanded our programs, and deepened our commitment to stewarding JA incarceration history.
December 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect not only on the unprecedented challenges that this year posed but also on the ways that we grew, mobilized, and stepped up to meet them. We welcomed new team members, expanded our programs, and deepened our commitment to stewarding JA incarceration history.
For the first seven years of her life growing up in Peru, Elsa Kudo recalls it being “complete bliss,” knowing “nothing of suffering or hardship.” In this clip, she reflects on her parents’ (at-the-time) unusually progressive partnership—both in business and at home.
December 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM
For the first seven years of her life growing up in Peru, Elsa Kudo recalls it being “complete bliss,” knowing “nothing of suffering or hardship.” In this clip, she reflects on her parents’ (at-the-time) unusually progressive partnership—both in business and at home.
On December 7, 1941, Rae Takekawa was a teenager spending a quiet Sunday at home when regular radio programming suddenly cut out. It took her a moment to understand the broadcast: Pearl Harbor had been attacked.
December 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
On December 7, 1941, Rae Takekawa was a teenager spending a quiet Sunday at home when regular radio programming suddenly cut out. It took her a moment to understand the broadcast: Pearl Harbor had been attacked.
We are excited to welcome Rebecca as Densho’s new Development Associate!
December 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
We are excited to welcome Rebecca as Densho’s new Development Associate!
Thank you for an incredible #GivingTuesday and for helping us kick off Densho’s year-end giving season strongly! Because of your support, we were able to meet our $10,000 goal! To celebrate reaching our goal, we wanted to share some photos from our digital archive that capture our joy and gratitude.
December 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Thank you for an incredible #GivingTuesday and for helping us kick off Densho’s year-end giving season strongly! Because of your support, we were able to meet our $10,000 goal! To celebrate reaching our goal, we wanted to share some photos from our digital archive that capture our joy and gratitude.
Today is #GivingTuesday — a global day of generosity that empowers people and organizations to strengthen their communities, and the official start of Densho’s year-end giving season.
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Today is #GivingTuesday — a global day of generosity that empowers people and organizations to strengthen their communities, and the official start of Densho’s year-end giving season.
For many Japanese American incarcerees, Thanksgiving day was not just a time for eating but also a chance to gather the community for festive activities. From wrestling tournaments to dances, incarcerees created joy and community even within detention camps.
November 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
For many Japanese American incarcerees, Thanksgiving day was not just a time for eating but also a chance to gather the community for festive activities. From wrestling tournaments to dances, incarcerees created joy and community even within detention camps.
Gene Akutsu remembers family life pre-World War II shaped by his family’s closeness. Many of those moments were centered around the dinner table accompanied by meals and long conversations.
November 26, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Gene Akutsu remembers family life pre-World War II shaped by his family’s closeness. Many of those moments were centered around the dinner table accompanied by meals and long conversations.