Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. The first year of the Nisei festival was 1934. The term Nisei was used to signify the second generation, or American-born Japanese who were American citizens. The festival is now [2012] known as Nisei Week. In 1935 the second annual Nisei festival included a banquet, fashion shows, an ondo (folk dance), kendo contests, a pageant tracing Japanese history, flower and tea ceremonies and a parade. Joseph Mesmer (left), Mary Franklin and Kay Sugahara on the night of the banquet of the Nisei festival at the Kawafuku Cafe (then located at the intersection of S. Los Angeles St., E. 1st St. and Weller). Mesmer and Franklin wear ribbons of the Pioneers of Los Angeles County. The banquet honored members of this historical society and prominent elder members of the Los Angeles Japanese community. Joseph Mesmer was a guest of honor at the Nisei festival [Los Angeles Times 8/13/1935]. Joseph Mesmer wears the same suit and award ribbon in a photograph taken at the Nisei festival banquet on 8/13, 1935, published in the Los Angeles Times on 8/14/1936. Handwritten on negative: Joseph Mesmer, Mrs. Mary Franklin, Kay Sugahara, 8/2/1935 Text from negative sleeve: 1739, Joseph Mesmer, Mrs. Mary Franklin, Kay Sugahara, Chinese Festival, 8/2/35, [stamped;] AUG 28 1935
Type
Image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
uclamss_1429_10108 ark:/21198/zz002ddw00
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
Events Culture People Festivals--California--Los Angeles Historical Society of Southern California and of the Pioneers of Los Angeles County Sugahara, Kay, 1909-1988 Nisei Week (Los Angeles, Calif.) Franklin, Mary, 1847-1943 Kawafuku (Restaurant : Los Angeles, Calif.) Mesmer, Joseph, 1855-1947
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
