In the face of adversity, there exists a quiet strength that transcends suffering—an inner resilience known in Japanese culture as Gaman (我慢). Translated as "enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity," Gaman has long been a core virtue in Japan. However, its significance was never more evident than during World War II, when both Issei (first-generation Japanese immigrants) and Nisei (second-generation Japanese American citizens) endured unimaginable hardships.
The Tsugawa family at the Minidoka War Relocation Center, Idaho, Block 30, 1942. Photo courtesy of the Tsugawa family. Taken from Lori Tsugawa's Book "Let The Samurai Be Your Guide"
The Ordeal of Incarceration and War
For Japanese Americans, Gaman became a way of life when the United States government forcibly removed over 120,000 individuals of Japanese descent from their homes following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Stripped of their rights, livelihoods, and dignity, these families were sent to American concentration camps in desolate locations across the country. The barracks were hastily built, food was scarce, and armed guards loomed over the camps—yet, through Gaman, the community persevered.
Rather than succumb to bitterness, they rebuilt their lives within the confines of the camps. They cultivated gardens in arid soil, established schools for their children, and maintained cultural traditions that kept their spirits intact. Their resilience was not an act of submission but a quiet defiance—an assertion of dignity in the face of injustice.
The Japanese American Soldiers Who Embodied Gaman
While their families endured incarceration, many Japanese American men volunteered to fight for the very country that had questioned their loyalty. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up almost entirely of Japanese Americans, became one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history. Facing not only the brutality of war but also deep-seated prejudice, they demonstrated Gaman by proving their courage and unwavering commitment.
Meanwhile, members of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), Japanese Americans who served as translators, interrogators, and intelligence specialists for the U.S. Army embodied Gaman in a profound way. In the Pacific, they were fighting not only against Japan, their ancestral homeland, but also against deep-seated prejudice from their own country. Both US and Pacific-based members of the MIS had families unjustly imprisoned in American concentration camps, yet they chose to serve with honor, proving their loyalty through quiet perseverance and sacrifice.
The MIS played a crucial but often overlooked role in the Pacific Theater. Their ability to translate intercepted communications, interrogate prisoners of war, and decipher military plans provided the U.S. with a strategic advantage. Their work was credited with shortening the war and saving countless lives, yet their contributions remained classified for decades. Despite the lack of recognition, these men pressed forward, enduring the emotional and psychological toll of their unique position.
For many MIS soldiers, Gaman was not just about enduring hardship—it was about maintaining dignity and purpose amid adversity. They faced suspicion from their fellow soldiers, the burden of cultural conflict, and the knowledge that they were fighting an enemy who looked like them. Yet, they carried out their duties with quiet resolve, believing that their sacrifices would pave the way for a better future.
Even after the war, their struggles did not end. Many returning Japanese American soldiers faced continued discrimination, but their service eventually helped change perceptions of Japanese Americans. Their resilience, both in war and in the fight for justice afterward, exemplifies the enduring power of Gaman—not just as an act of endurance, but as a path to honor, integrity, and eventual redemption.
Art and Resilience Behind Barbed Wire
Those incarcerated within the confines of the camps found solace and expression by utilizing their energy and talents in creating objects of beauty from materials at hand. Some turned to painting or pen and ink drawings, and decorative objects, while others created furniture such as Japanese tansus from scrap wood found within the camps.
In 2019, I had the privilege of attending the JACL National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. During my visit, I explored the Topaz Japanese American WWII Confinement Site in Delta, Utah, where I was deeply moved by the artifacts on display. The photographs I captured highlight the remarkable beauty and creativity found within these historical pieces.
These are just some of the artworks from the Topaz Museum:
The Art of Gaman: Beauty and Resilience in the Face of Injustice
During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated in desolate camps across the United States. Stripped of their freedom, dignity, and livelihoods, they faced an uncertain future behind barbed wire. Yet, in the midst of hardship, they found a way to endure—not just by surviving, but by creating.
In The Art of Gaman, Delphine Hirasuna captures this extraordinary resilience through the objects crafted by those imprisoned in the camps. With limited resources, incarcerees used scrap wood, shells, paper, and metal to create furniture, tools, toys, and exquisite works of art. These objects were more than just pastimes—they were a testament to the human spirit’s refusal to be broken. Through their craftsmanship, they transformed confinement into an opportunity to express beauty, maintain dignity, and reclaim a sense of self.
Hirasuna’s book, filled with photographs and personal stories, serves as both a historical record and a tribute to those who found solace in creativity. The delicate carvings, intricate paintings, and handmade objects are evidence of a quiet strength that refused to be erased. In my book, Let the Samurai Be Your Guide, Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, emphasizing perseverance, honor, and inner strength can be seen as a foundation of the principle of Gaman teaching us that endurance is not passive suffering but an act of resilience and self respect. The Art of Gaman is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, art can be an act of defiance, a declaration of dignity, and a way to uphold one’s honor. The legacy of these artists endures, their creations standing as silent witnesses to the perseverance and courage of a generation.
Lessons from Gaman
The legacy of Gaman extends beyond history—it is a lesson in perseverance, dignity, and quiet strength. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, we have the ability to endure with grace. For the Japanese and Japanese Americans who lived through World War II, Gaman was more than a cultural value; it was a testament to their unbreakable spirit.
Today, in moments of struggle, we can look to their example. Gaman teaches us that resilience is not loud or boastful—it is steady, patient, and enduring. It is the ability to rise with dignity, no matter the challenge.
How do you practice Gaman in your own life?
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