[Home Movies of Buddhist Young People’s Convention in Tacoma, WA; Temple Fujinkai Filling Bento Boxes; Boys Playing Soldier and more / circa 1932 - 1934]

Dateca. 1932-1934

Mediumacetate

DimensionsFilm Format: 16.00 mm, L: 215 ft, Diam: 7 in

ClassificationsMoving Images

Credit LineGift of the Sasaki Family

Object number96.150.9

DescriptionBlack and white home movie footage filmed by Reverend Sensho Sasaki in Tacoma, Washington, circa 1932 to 1934. Footage includes a Young Buddhists Association (YBA) convention at the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, the temple fujinkai women filling bento (lunch) boxes, assembling for group portrait in front of the church, and two little boys playing soldier and smiling for the camera.

Timecode list:

0:35 -- “TACOMA 1932” title card.
0:44 -- Closeups of two little boys smiling for the camera. They both salute, the older one chews gum. (Possibly Senyo and Senpo Sasaki, the filmmaker’s sons. Or Senyo and an older boy.)
1:30 -- Man lights a cigarette.
1:35 -- Panning view from temple to minister's house; the little boys are seen briefly. Young Buddhists Association (YBA) members stand around in small groups.
1:51 -- Same panning view but from across the street; many cars visible along the curbs.
2:05 – Women exiting pastor’s home; camera operator is close to the temple again. Panning views of YBA members. (2:19 - Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church sign visible.)
2:25 – Person signs a program slowly, then presents the cover to the camera: “NWYP Buddhist Federation Convention”.
2:40 -- YBA men posing for large group photo on temple steps.
3:05 -- Group of people exit, man tips his hat to the camera operator, people get into cars and drive away. (Dark footage.)
3:38 -- Temple fujinkai women filling bento boxes with food, packing boxes with rice.
4:27 -- Brief view of women inside. Panning over people outside, a line of empty chairs waiting for a panorama group photograph.
5:03 -- View of convention program, flipping pages.
5:10 -- People setting up for a large group photograph in front of the temple. Long pan over people in the photograph. As the camera operator gets to the far right of the group, one of the little boys from 0:44 runs towards the camera.
5:41 -- Little boy (from 0:44) eating a snack and running around outside on a sidewalk.
5:55 -- Little boys (from 0:44) wearing (paper?) military caps and backpacks; one carries a wooden rifle and the other has a small pistol. They run around playing soldiers and saluting.
7:54 -- Little boys (from 0:44) wave from the front seat of a car.
8:04 -- Little boys (from 0:44) sit on tricycles and wave.
8:18 -- End title card “SAYONARA” [in stop-motion?]
8:28 -- Film ends

Black and white home movie footage filmed by Reverend Sensho Sasaki of Buddhist activities at temple in Tacoma, Washington, 1932. Includes Young Buddhists Association (YBA), temple fujinkai making bento, assembling for group portrait in front of temple, boys playing soldier.
0-22 ft. : Two little boys pose for camera. (OK)
22-50 ft. : Pan from temple to minister's house. People, lots of automobiles. Various shots of YBA people in front of temple. (Good)
50-66 ft. : People posing for photograph. (OK)
66-103 ft. : Fujinkai women making bento. (Great)
103-130 ft. : People setting up for group shot in front of temple. Long pan of people set up for panorama photograph. (Great)
130-202 ft. : Two boys dressed in soldier outfits, complete with backpack and guns. Playing, shooting, etc. (Great);1 film reel (215 ft.) : si., b&w ; 16 mm. original reversal pos. , Title supplied by cataloger. , Reel half full.