Imprisoned Japanese Americans Turned to Nature During WWII Incarceration

Detainees at concentration camps found solace and creativity in the natural world around them.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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During World War II, the U.S. government detained Japanese immigrants and their American-born descendants in remote inland camps, without charges or evidence of disloyalty, simply due to their ethnicity. To cope with the fear, anger and loss, the incarcerated Japanese Americans turned to nature, finding beauty in the branches, rocks and shells around them. They created intricate carvings, jewelry and other crafts that connected them to the natural world and provided a sense of normalcy in their unjust imprisonment.

Why it matters

This story highlights the resilience and ingenuity of the Japanese American community in the face of a grave injustice. Their ability to find solace and creative expression in nature, despite being unjustly imprisoned, speaks to the human spirit's capacity to endure even in the darkest of circumstances. The article also serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of scapegoating and discriminating against minority groups, and the importance of learning from history to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

The details

Immediately upon arriving at the temporary detention facilities, known as "assembly centers," the Japanese Americans were quartered in rough barracks. When they were later transferred to the more permanent "relocation centers," they were allowed to venture beyond the barbed-wire fences and explore the natural surroundings. Teenagers like Izumi Taniguchi collected rocks, branches and shells, which they used to create intricate carvings, jewelry and other crafts. Homei Iseyama, a landscape gardener and bonsai master, became known for the exquisite teapots, cups and other items he carved out of slate stones found around the camp. Peggy Nishimura Yorita, a single mother, sold the shell jewelry she made to earn a little money, finding joy in the creative process.

  • On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, mandating the incarceration of Japanese Americans.
  • In January 1943, the Poston "sculptoring department" advertised in the camp newsletter that "stone carving is becoming a popular hobby among the residents."

The players

Izumi Taniguchi

A 16-year-old from Contra Costa County, California, who recalled collecting rocks, branches and shells to create crafts while incarcerated.

Homei Iseyama

A landscape gardener and bonsai master from Oakland, California, who became known for the exquisite teapots, cups and other items he carved out of slate stones found around the camp.

Peggy Nishimura Yorita

A 33-year-old single mother who sold the shell jewelry she made to earn a little money, finding joy in the creative process.

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What they’re saying

“She recalled: 'I enjoyed making the shell jewelry. It was a creative endeavor for me.'”

— Peggy Nishimura Yorita (Counterpunch)

The takeaway

This story serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of the Japanese American community, who found ways to cope with their unjust imprisonment during World War II by turning to the natural world around them. Their crafts and artworks not only provided a sense of normalcy and connection to their cultural heritage, but also demonstrated the human spirit's capacity to endure even in the darkest of circumstances.