When the Japanese first migrated to the mainland, many were encouraged to “westernize” by becoming Christians, however others strived to keep their own religion by the establishment of Buddhist temples and such.

“I asked my parents, "You guys are Buddhist. Why did you send us to a Christian church? Being out in Valley, there was no Buddhist church out there. They said they figured any church is better than no church."

~ Bill Watanabe.
--
Memorial at Buddhist Temple 1964

Photo contributed by: Bill Watanabe
Names of people: Unknown
Date: 1964
Place: Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Photograph by: Unknown
Photo size: Unknown
Description: Furiyama family memorial service 1964.

© California State University, Northridge 2008
For more information about this project, please contact:
Edith Chen, Professor Asian American Studies Dept.
18111 Nordhoff St., JR 340
Northridge, CA 91330-8251
edith.chen@csun.edu
818-677-4966
Nancy Takayama
San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center
nt.high.mtn@juno.com