Tessaku: Resistance

 By Diana Emiko Tsuchida, designed by Stefanie Yniguez, photographs by Jon Endow.

Tessaku 鉄柵 (iron fence) was the name of a journal of Japanese fiction, poetry and essays published from March 1944 to July 1945 in the Tule lake Segregation Center during World War II. This journal series and oral history project is inspired by the spirit of the original Tessaku, and showcases stories from families who experienced the incarceration, as told by the survivors themselves or their descendants. The Tessaku oral history project began as a personal family history exploration in 2015. 

Tule Lake's eventual reputation as the camp where the "no/nos" were sent (referring to those who answered "no" to questions 27 and 28 on the so-called "loyalty questionnaire") reverberated with negative connotation for decades. Seen as either pro-Japan or cowards for what was interpreted as evading the call of duty to serve in the U.S. military, the "no/nos" carried a stigma of shame for years after the camp, and their stories were often silenced by the greater narrative of the heroism of the Nisei soldiers and veterans. 

Resistance tells the story of those Nisei and Kibei who stood against the mainstream and dared to protest their incarceration when the consequences for doing so were unknown at best and severe at worst. The stories include Jim Tanimoto, a member of the Block 42 resistors who collectively refused to sign the "loyalty questionnaire"; Frank Matsuda, who was arrested in Poston for his actions against a prominent JACL leader; George Nakagawa, a Kibei who was detained from Manzanar and sent to Crystal City; George Sasaki, a camp baseball star who said "no/no" and felt the reverberations of his decision to protest for years after the war, and activist Mo Nishida, who recalls watching his parents suffering and uncertainty through the eyes of a child during their upheaval. 

Paper: 76 pp.

UNLESS FINAL SALE:
Full refunds (less shipping and handling) will be issued provided that the merchandise is in resalable condition upon receipt and the merchandise is returned within 30 days of the delivery date. Before returning any merchandise for a refund or exchange, please email us at museumstore@janm.org. We will provide you with information necessary for the return authorization.

JANM Store Return Policy

STANDARD DELIVERY: Standard deliveries within the continental U.S. are sent via UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail from Los Angeles, California. Delivery time varies depending on location and product availability but generally takes from 3-10 business days. You will be advised of a delay in shipping that exceeds 30 days.

JANM Store Shipping Policy

The JANM Store is now offering onsite pick-up for orders placed online. Just select “Pick Up in Store” at checkout. You will receive a notification email when your order is ready for pick-up.

Pick-up is by appointment only! Please reply with the date and approximate time you will be picking up your order.
We ask that you pick up your order no later than 10 days after it is ready. If your reply is not received within one week, or you cannot pick up your order within 10 days, your order may be canceled.

We DO NOT guarantee same-day pick-up. Orders received by 3:00 p.m. on a business day will usually be available for pick up by the next available pick-up date. When you arrive at the entrance to the Museum, please call the Store at 888.769.5559, and one of our Sales Associates will bring out your order.

Please allow an extra day for pick-ups on Thanksgiving weekend and the week before Christmas.

We require that you make an appointment for pick up. Appointment times are Tuesday-Saturday 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Days and hours available for a pick up (subject to change without prior notice).

We are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Membership in JANM provides numerous benefits (*including 10% off eligible JANM Store purchases!), and supports our mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the experiences of Japanese Americans. Become a new Member, renew your Membership, or share JANM with a friend or loved one by giving a Gift Membership.

Add a membership to your cart and you'll immediately receive 10% off all qualifying items on your order.

Join Today