As the leading institution in the United States that collects and preserves the history and culture of Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans, the Japanese American National Museum is delighted to share the diverse artistic talent from our collection.

These works of art—presented as reproductions—represent the history of immigration and wartime incarceration and show us what these artists witnessed and felt at that time.

During World War II, Japanese Americans living on the West Coast were unjustly incarcerated in America’s concentration camps. Despite their circumstances, these artists did not lose their creativity or their senses of humor. Even though they endured daily hardships, they depicted the beauty and joy that they were still able to find around them.

We hope that you too will be moved by the courage and creativity of these Japanese American artists.

Top image: Hisako Hibi, Laundry Room, oil on canvas, 50.8 × 61 cm., Japanese American National Museum, Gift of Ibuki Hibi Lee, 96.601.15