Michiko Iseri and Tayeko Iseri at the Heart Mountain Japanese Relocation Center, 1942-1944

THF711116 / Michiko Iseri and Tayeko Iseri at the Heart Mountain Japanese Relocation Center, 1942-1944
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Artifact Overview

During World War II, the War Relocation Authority removed and unjustly incarcerated more than 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry into War Relocation Camps. Michiko Iseri (left) taught traditional Asian dances to other internees at the Heart Mountain, Wyoming camp. Michiko continued to teach dance after being released in 1944 and is remembered for her choreography in Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I in the 1950s.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1942-1944

Subject Date

1942-1944

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2023.103.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process
Handwriting

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.5 in
Width: 2.5 in

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    Artifact

    Michiko Iseri, Choreographer and Dancer in Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The King and I," 1955

    American-born Michiko Iseri (1923-2024) studied traditional Asian dance from an early age. Interned in a relocation camp with others of Japanese ancestry during World War II and released in 1944, Iseri moved to New York and continued teaching. Iseri is remembered as a featured dancer and choreographer in Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical The King and I in the 1950s, bringing greater authenticity to the production.