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[National Boy Scout Jamboree at Irvine Ranch, CA, including Japanese Scouts, Troop 379, Richard Nixon and more / 1953]

[National Boy Scout Jamboree at Irvine Ranch, CA, including Japanese Scouts, Troop 379, Richard Nixon and more / 1953]

Date1953
Mediumacetate
DimensionsFilm Format: 16.00 mm
ClassificationsMoving Images
Credit LineIn Memory of Chikashi & Asa Tanaka and Yasuo "Clifford" & Yuri Tanaka
Object number2007.61.6
DescriptionColor home movie footage, filmed by the Tanaka family in 1953, showing Japanese Boy Scout Troop 34 attending the 4th National Boy Scout Jamboree in Irvine Ranch, California. Footage includes shots around the campground, including the “Avenue of Flags” and Troop 34’s campsite; casual socializing with each other as well as other Boy Scout troops; performances by Boy Scouts Los Angeles Troop 379 marching with drums and bugle corps, Sixth Army Pipe Band Presidio San Francisco company, Troop 34 shishimai (Japanese lion dance), and Buddhist ceremony; Vice President Richard Nixon addressing attendees.

Timecode list:
0:30 -- Shot pans down Japanese flag that is planted at camp — boys crowded around tables under a canopy; members from Troops 19, 6, 27, and 26 can be seen, in addition to Japanese Boy Scouts from Troop 34 (and 1?) all socializing together
1:42 -- Japanese Boy Scout Troop 34 leader and member are standing with a white woman (unsure of identity; might be a celebrity?) in a red dress who is reading off an index card or scrap paper
1:52 -- Same troop leader is drinking a bottled beverage underneath a “Pepsi-Post No. 2” sign; Barq’s logo is on the sign, meeting with other troop leaders
2:09 -- Various campsites, including teepees; Japanese windsock (koinobori) is flying above
2:49 -- Boy Scouts in swimwear and carrying towels
3:05 -- A group of Boy Scouts are gathered underneath a collection of Japanese sashimono-style flags and koinobori (windsock)
3:22 -- Japanese Boy Scout Troop 34 returning in costume from shishimai (Japanese lion dance); troop members socialize under the canopies with Boy Scouts from other troops; leaders from different troops also socialize (including a leader from Troop 6 or 8?)
4:24 -- Boy Scouts Los Angeles Troop 379 marching with drums and bugle corps
5:09 -- Shots of “Avenue of Flags” area, including raising of flags; Liberty Bell replica
5:39 -- Boy Scouts working around their campsite and shots of the campgrounds (various types of tents, including teepee style, and flags are seen)
6:30 -- Japanese Boy Scout troop leader talking with other Boy Scout troop leaders; troop lined up, boy in front is carrying a big red flag
7:11 -- Sixth Army Pipe Band Presidio San Francisco company members on stage in kilts performing for audience of Boy Scouts in Campfire Area No 4
7:48 – Boys in happi coats play music on drums and flute during Japanese lion dance (shishimai) performance while other boys in yukata and masks dance with fans; pans to audience
8:36 -- Flag and sign: “Mt. Diablo Council B.S.A Jamboree Troop No. 30 Orinda-Lafayette-Danville-Berkely” ; American flag
9:09 -- Vice President Richard Nixon speaks to a group including the Japanese Boy Scouts; footage also shows large crowds assembled on sloped hillside to view the stage
9:46 -- Buddhist ceremony (standard Buddhist flag appears to be raised upside down, American flag also visible) with participation from Japanese Boy Scout Troop 34; International Boy Scout Council convening?
10:20 -- Japanese Boy Scout Troop 34 members and others in the party eating a meal under a canopy; food is potluck/buffet style (appears to be rice balls (onigiri), maki rolls, grilled meat)
10:53 -- Two Boy Scouts drinking from paper cups; Troop 69 patch visible on one boy (not sure if American or Japanese)
10:56 -- Group of adults and children who are not in uniform gathered under a canopy; drying laundry is seen hanging on a small clothesline in the sun; Boy Scouts and others (adults and children of a variety of ages) socializing
11:23 -- Film tape ends

Color home movie footage of the Japanese Boy Scout Troop 34 attending 4th World Boy Scout Jamboree in Irvine Ranch, California in 1953. Features Tokyo Troop 34 scouts in uniform with Japanese flag patch on their uniforms. Includes boy scouts from other troops showing interest in the items that the Japanese boys have packed for their outing; camp site with teepee and koi flying over torii; boys in happi coats walking with shishimai while another plays a drum; Los Angeles Troop 379 drum and bugle corp performing; raising of various national flags; performances by Sixth Army Pipe Band, Presidio (6:54), Shishimai (lion dance) (7:21); sign "Mt. Diablo Council B.S.A., Jamboree Troop 30, Orinda, Lafayette, Danville, Berkeley" (8:21); boys gathered to listen to Vice President Richard Nixon address the crowd (8:33); extremely large gathering on field (9:13); Buddhist ceremonial practices take place at this international Boy Scout council convening (9:31); Japanese troop eating food with chopsticks and socializing (10:05).
;1 film reel : si., col. ; 16 mm. original reversal pos. , Title supplied by cataloger.

2007.61.5,.6,.7,.9,.10 of Tanaka Collection and "Nisie-Ondo: Fireworks, Beach" (mispelling on "Nisei" on label) in MINI DV and Beta on shelf: 18 SH D2. Also labeled as BC.48-51.
Copyright JANM
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1932
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Ludwig Drums (Chicago, Ill.)
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Boy Scouts of America
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