Tanaka Studio Collection
(2007.61) This collection includes over 1,000 photographic negatives from Issei photographer Chikashi Tanaka (1888–1977). These photographs, taken for hundreds of clients, document the vibrant and deeply-rooted Japanese American community in Southern California during the prewar era. The original envelopes that stored each negative are also a part of this collection and provide additional information, including the name of the client and the date the photograph was taken. In addition, many of these photographs were stored with artifacts such as receipts, obituaries, notes, and letters.
Chikashi Tanaka grew up in Gunma prefecture before immigrating to Hawai‘i with his uncle and sister in 1907. By 1912 he had relocated to Los Angeles and opened his own photography studio on 1st Street in Little Tokyo. He was in high demand for weddings, funerals, families, and businesses, with nearly 500 clients connected with the negatives in this collection alone. Chikashi was arrested in December of 1941 under suspicion of being a spy due to his photography equipment and eventually lost his business.
The photographs that miraculously survived despite Chikashi’s arrest and his family’s incarceration were generously donated to JANM by the Tanaka Family. Explore the resources on this page to learn more about Chikashi Tanaka and immerse yourself in prewar Los Angeles through his incredible work.
Salon workers smile while one customer receives a manicure and another sits with her hair in curlers, November 9, 1937.Japanese American National Museum, Gift in memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.24
Slideshow
Chikashi Tanaka, Tanaka Photo Studios, film negative, 1933
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.124_2
Chikashi Tanaka, Endo Wedding at Nichiren, film negative, 1939
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.51_4
Chikashi Tanaka, Ishii Wedding, film negative, 1940
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.138
Chikashi Tanaka, Funeral for Tadanari Matsuda at Evergreen, film negative 1938
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.92
Chikashi Tanaka, Filipino Federation of America, film negative, 1928
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.66
Chikashi Tanaka, Yasoichi Nomura’s First Boy’s Day, film negative, 1937
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.437
Chikashi Tanaka, Fujimoto Family, film negative, 1936
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.60
Chikashi Tanaka, Itahara Family, film negative, 1936
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.156
Chikashi Tanaka, Kumai Family, film negative, 1933
Japanese American National Museum, Gift in Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.158
Related to this Collection
Tanaka Photo Studio Online Exhibition
Items in this collection were featured in the online exhibition Tanaka Photo Studio: Family, Tradition, Business, and Community Before World War II (2023).
A family of four stands in a flower field in front of a farmhouse, June 19, 1937. Japanese American National Museum, Gift in memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.46
Bridging the Past and Present—Preserving History Through the Tanaka Photo Studio Collection
By Nara Duffie
The curator of the online exhibition reflects on her experience working with JANM and her perspective on why the Tanaka Photo Studio Collection is so valuable.
Outside of Tanaka Photo Studio on East 1st Street, December 10, 1933. Client name: Kawasaki. Japanese American National Museum, Gift in memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo “Clifford” & Yuri Tanaka, 2007.61.124_2