H86.33.1

• world war ii

Storage Box. Description: Handmade from pieces of packing crates and shipping boxes, nailed sides, heavy black painted hinge on top at one end, steel hasp and eye hardware at other for padlock closure. Small steel Master brand padlock with key attached by piece of wire. Drawer pull mounted on box top with long screws which were bent underneath. Wording on outside of three sides are remnants of lettering on packing and shipping boxes used to make this box. On one there is a clear date of 1942. Dimensions: 15-1/2" x 6" x 10" History: Made by Jack Ishi while interned at Topaz during WWII. Also included the items listed below carefully packed in this box and carefully wrapped with paper for cushioning; some fancy handprinted Japanese designs. References/Remarks: a: box b: padlock c: key (From the donor file) Handmade box and contents belonged to Jack Ishi, during his internment at Topaz during WWII. After the war he returned to S.F. and worked for the Hendricks family until he retired. Jack Ishi was born in Honolulu about 1905, before Hawaii became a territory of the U.S. He came to California as a boy through Angel Island, lived in San Francisco. While interned at Topaz, Utah he learned carpentry skills, was released in 1945 and became janitor and handyman for the Hendricks family home and various rental properties. He retired in 1971, died about 1977.

Used: Topaz Internment Camp | Japanese American Internment