Japanese American Resettlement through the Lens: Hikaru Iwasaki and the WRA's Photographic Section, 1943-1945

by Lane Ryo Hirabayashi

Photographs by Hikaru C. IwasakiForeword by the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta
In Japanese American Resettlement through the Lens, Lane Ryo Hirabayashi gathers a unique collection of photographs by War Relocation Authority photographer Hikaru Iwasaki, the only full-time WRA photographer from the period still living.With substantive focus on resettlement - and in particular Iwasaki's photos of Japanese Americans following their release from WRA camps from 1943 to 1945 - Hirabayashi explores the WRA's use of photography in its mission not only to encourage "loyal" Japanese Americans to return to society at large as quickly as possible but also to convince Euro-Americans this was safe and advantageous. Hirabayashi also assesses the relative success of the WRA project, as well as the multiple uses of the photographs over time, first by the WRA and then by students, scholars, and community members in the present day.

Although the photos have been used to illustrate a number of publications, this book is the first sustained treatment addressing questions directly related to official WRA photographs. How and under what conditions were they taken? Where were they developed, selected, and stored? How were they used during the 1940s? What impact did they have during and following the war?

By focusing on the WRA's Photographic Section, Japanese American Resettlement through the Lens makes a unique contribution to the body of literature on Japanese Americans during World War II.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 2009

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptional book because it goes behind the scenes of one of the biggest scars on our American government—the resettlement of Japanese Americans. With the flick of a wrist President F Roosevelt signed an Order to strip these “American “ citizens of their rights and property.

The pictures are great and the analysis is superb. Great referenced research as well.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and critical look at the official U.S. Government photography of Japanese American resettlement during World War II. Heartbreaking to read of the lives and opportunities lost during this tragic period of American history.

[Frederic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful large-format reproductions of the photos, with good supporting text and period/original captions written by WRA staff.

[Aiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many efforts were made to document and photograph Japanese internment and I learned a lot about Hikaru Carl Iwaski’s work.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. Lots of pictures - it is about photography, after all - and very interesting information about the photographer Carl Iwasaki. I felt like this had new ways to look at the WRA photos, that being that they were true examples of people's lives, but they were very much for the promoting of a message.

[Cymiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When is photography historical and when is it propaganda? The author looks at the photos taken photographer Iwasaki (who just recently passed away in Denver) during World War II for the WRA.