Exhibits

This exhibit introduces the footprints of many of these artists, spanning from the 1910s to 1940s, through images of their works, catalogs of art exhibitions, and art columns from English and Japanese newspapers. It will also explore the relationship between Japanese artists in New York and the American art scene of the time, and attempt to situate their creative endeavors in context as well as clarify the intentions of their work. Curated by Mai Sato, organized by the Digital Museum of the History of Japanese in New York.

This exhibit introduces how the first generations of nikkei (ethnic Japanese residing outside of Japan) and Japanese pioneers in Major League Baseball have overcome racial and ethnic stereotyping. They count every run-batted-in, base-gained, grueling victory and cruising defeat as a step towards equality. For nikkei, including Japanese New Yorkers, baseball has served to reinforce their cultural assimilation and pride in their Japanese heritage. The cultural shifts on the diamond often reflect the shifting definitions of Japanese American identity. Organized by the Digital Museum of the History of Japanese in New York.

This exhibit introduces how the connections between the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers) and Japan influenced lives and institutions on both sides of the Pacific since the late 19th century. Organized by the Digital Museum of the History of Japanese in New York.

The project recognizes the 150th anniversary of the lwakura Mission‘s 1871 departure from Japan, a pivotal moment in the country’s development of international presence. The lwakura Mission is a cornerstone of Japan’s modern history. This exhibit was organized by the Digital Museum of the History of Japanese in New York.

The New York Japanese American Oral History Project is a partnership of community organizations and individuals led by The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. Through the collection of digital oral histories, raise awareness of the under-documented community of Japanese Americans who relocated to New York in the post-WWII era who worked to rebuild their lives.

This website was created for the Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar “Rutgers Meets Japan,” taught by Professor Haruko Wakabayashi at the Rutgers University, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures in Spring 2020, which explored this crucial moment of early U.S.-Japan cultural exchange as we revisited Rutgers’ historical encounters with Japan. Students took part in building this website as they posted their works over the course of the semester.