Pastimes
“It may be hard for people who have always lived according to the American pattern to comprehend the full import of the term ‘nothing to do,’ but to (the internees) confined within a . . .barbed-wire enclosure it was only too real and full of meaning . . . No going anywhere to see or do anything!”
-Final Report of the War Relocation Authority


Despite working in camp or attending school, many Japanese Americans found time to join clubs and play sports. Some people, particularly the older Issei men and women, the original immigrants from Japan, chose not to work.

Children and adults participated in a variety of games and sports. Playing and watching baseball was so popular that Manzanar supported not just baseball teams, but leagues of multiple teams. Many blocks built basketball courts. Students played volleyball in the firebreak west of the auditorium.  Some internees even built a 9-hole “golf course” of oiled sand in the southwest corner of the camp. Japanese traditions were kept alive through judo and kendo and games like Goh and Shogi.

Arts and craft clubs provided opportunities to share knowledge and culture. Artists gave lessons in painting and sketching, providing their own equipment and supplies themselves. Several expert sewing teachers who had operated a sewing school before the war gave lessons to over 1,100 individuals. Early on, hundreds of students learned paper flower-making without real flowers. Knitting, embroidery, puppetry, and Japanese calligraphy helped internees pass the time and beautify their surroundings.

Jewlery

Bird BroochBird Brooch [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4119_broochBird.html" target="_blank"]
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Orange Bird PinOrange Bird Pin [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5164_brooch.html" target="_blank"]
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Green Bird PinGreen Bird Pin [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ7554_broochBird.html" target="_blank"]
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Bird PinBird Pin [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4121_broochPink.html" target="_blank"]
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Rose BouquetRose Bouquet [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5143_corsage.html" target="_blank"]
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Pansy Bouquet Pansy Bouquet [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5141_corsage.html" target="_blank"]
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Rose Basket BroochRose Basket Brooch [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5144_broochFlowers.html" target="_blank"]
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Sun Flower BroochSun Flower Brooch [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5147_broochFlower.html" target="_blank"]
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Basket BroochBasket Brooch [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5145_broochBasket.html" target="_blank"]
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Shell NecklaceShell Necklace [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5148_necklace.html" target="_blank"]
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JewelryJewelry [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4125_broochFlowers.html" target="_blank"]
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HeadbandHeadband [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5149_headband.html" target="_blank"]
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Red CorsageRed Corsage [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5142_redCorsage.html" target="_blank"]
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SculptureSculpture [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5169_sculpture.html" target="_blank"]
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CarvingCarving [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4055_Steatite.html" target="_blank"]
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Woodwork

Jewelry BoxJewelry Box [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANA5214_jewelryBox.html" target="_blank"]
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StandStand [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4627_musicStand.html" target="_blank"]
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Koto [Japanese Zither] Koto [Japanese Zither] [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4627_musicStand.html" target="_blank"]
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Childs Dressing TableChilds Dressing Table [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4630_dressingTable.html" target="_blank"]
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Koto Music StandKoto Music Stands [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4627_musicStand.html" target="_blank"]
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PlaquePlaque [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5177_woodCarving.html" target="_blank"]
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Miscellaneous

Toy SoldiersToy Soldiers [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ2382_toySoldier.html" target="_blank"]
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Toy GunToy Gun [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ2562_toyGun.html" target="_blank"]
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Toy TankToy Tank [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ7574_littleTank.html" target="_blank"]
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Toy Cup and SaucerToy Cup and Saucer [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ2265_toyCupSaucer.html" target="_blank"]
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Model BoatModel Boat [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ2239_boat.html" target="_blank"]
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Go Game PiecesGo Game Pieces [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ1419_1420_gamePieces.html" target="_blank"]
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Checkers Game PieceCheckers Game Piece [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ2521_gamepiece.html" target="_blank"]
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Shogi Game Pieces [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ4116_gamingPieces.html" target="_blank"]
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Toy JacksToy Jacks [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ498_jack.html" target="_blank"]
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MarblesMarbles [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ7573_marbles.html" target="_blank"]
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Hiking Sticks Hiking Sticks [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ5191_5192_walkingStick.html" target="_blank"]
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FishhooksFishhooks [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ838_fishhooks.html" target="_blank"]
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Wire and String Remnant Wire and String Remnant [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ2295_wire.html" target="_blank"]
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Photographs and Documents

Making Artificial FlowersMaking Artificial Flowers [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/UCB_WRAC_900_makingFlowers.html" target="_blank"]
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Musical Review Program [overview] Musical Review Program [overview] [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ_0126_03_001b-_MusicalRevueOutside.html" target="_blank"]
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Evening of Music ProgramEvening of Music Program [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ_0170_003_ProgramOutside.html" target="_blank"]
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Three One Act Plays ProgramThree One Act Plays Program [a href="exb/Camp/past_times/MANZ_0170_004_ProgramOutside.html" target="_blank"]
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