Manzanar Collection

Personal letter discusses mutuel friends and acquaintances; the climate at Manzanar; her coursework in psychology, shorthand, and wood carving; and her work teaching a kindergarten class. Nagahama remarks on the contradictions faced in classroom discussions in which teachers are supposed to emphasize the home, given their living conditions in Manzanar, and muses that she may use a doll house as a model in order to give students a glimpse "of what a home is supposed to look like." She also mentions learning to play the saxophone, and that she may play for a PTA party.

Personal letter describes Christmas Day in the internment camp, mentioning the wind, dust, and cold conditions along with the beauty of the Sierras and her first view of snow. Toda also describes a Christmas party that drew people of all ages, and asks about Salzman's work and if Salzman is affected by gas rationing or other shortages, noting that they have felt effects of rationing at Manzanar.

Christmas letter addressed to Wilda [Johnson], describing a family reunion at Mammoth Lakes and providing news of family and friends. Mentioned also are several of Murakami's writings, including the booklet, entitled "A Probable Jesus"; an open letter to Niseis that was printed in the November, [1994?] issue of the Tozai Times, published in Los Angeles; and a future project that Murakami describes as "my Las Vegas project to Niseis residing there."

Personal letter discusses work in doctor's office; teaching; and taking classes as well as club meetings featuring games and refreshments. Toda also asks how Salzman, "our defense worker" is doing.

Personal letter thanking Salzman for sending an encyclopedia and noting that "daily work is about the same" and that "everything is on the boresome side." Also mentions visit by church friends; a move by Miriko [Nagahama], her mother and sister to a new place within the camp, undertaken because of a new regulation seeking to reduce the number of inhabitants per apartment; and that Honey [Toda] is well.

Personal letter discusses how much Nagahama misses their circle of friends and Glendale [California], despite her knowledge that "the sentiment toward us is not very favorable" and mentions that Honey [Toda] "has left the barbed-wire confines of Manzanar" for work taking care of children for a family in Washington, DC. Notes that Nisei teachers have been given a raise and a promotion to professional rating and describes her work schedule and life as a kindergarten teacher, including the difficulties of teaching "16 children at one time in one little 2 x 4." Also briefly describes Bainbridge Island and the Nisei from there; expresses her appreciation to Salzman for doing some shopping for her; and describes the weather, including dust and wind.

Correspondence from Miriko Nagahama to Betty Salzman, December 27, 1943

Personal letter mentions mutuel acquaintances and desire to see visitors, a ban on anything other than business visitors, and a requirement that all visitors must apply for permits. The letter also mentions the prospect of being in Manzanar for a long time. Toda states that camp life will not stop them from having fun, such as a picnics; she mentions "weiner bakes" along with hot, dusty conditions. She also notes Salzman's work on swing shifts and urges Salzman not to let her work get her down, but rather to "do your part for the U.S.A. - 'Keep them flying!'"

Personal letter describing school and life in Washington, DC, including attendance at the Cavalcade of Freedom show, and asking about friends, including two who may have been at an incarceration camp that she describes as being perhaps near Tahoe.

Personal letter discusses Nagahama's shorthand and drafting classes; Salzman's promotion to instrument tester [at Lockheed]; her own and Salzman's saxophone playing; Hideo [Watanabe's?] employment as business manager in the "Free Press" (her quotes) office; and rationing at Manzanar. She also expresses sorrow at the loss the prior week of 177 "former Bainbridge Island people" who had been removed to "Hunt Relocation Center in Minidoka, Idaho" mentioning that they had petitioned to "evacuate to the Idaho center right after the riot when there was so much tension because they wanted to be with the people from up north where they had come from." She further discusses her surprise that people had been brought to Manzanar from Bainbridge Island in the first place.