Bhratri (1 results)

Condition: Very good -. 10 " x 7¾". Paper wrappers. Pp. [vi], 228 + [iv], 36 in Japanese from rear. Very good minus: shaken, text block detached from front hinge and some quires loose but intact at rear hinge; 3" tear to one leaf splitting the lower edge of one image and affecting a few words of text with no loss of meaning. This is an incredible, heavily illustrated resource, a rare issue of the official publication of the Young Men's and Young Women's Buddhist Associations of America, Bhratri. It is brimming with chapter histories and news, photographic images, literary creations and membership rosters, along with ads for hundreds of Japanese-owned businesses in California. Like so many to migrate to American shores, those of Japanese ancestry brought with them their religion. Buddhist temples and organizations provided invaluable services and solidarity to both the first-generation Issei and secondgeneration Nissei, helping to counter the prejudice that pervaded their lives and navigate making America home. The Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) was formed in Sri Lanka in 1898 and soon spread to other countries. It reached San Francisco the same year, an offshoot of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), which had been founded by Japanese immigrants and missionaries. By the mid-1920s both the young men's and women's groups were active throughout California. The Sanskrit word "Bhratri" means "fraternal" or "brother," an apt name for this official organ of the YM and WBAs, with its stated goal to keep "the members informed of the activities of the various organizations . . . In an indirect manner the book brings about changes for the betterment of the Leagues." An editorial section notes that "The future of our churches depends entirely upon us, the younger followers of Buddhism," with short features like "Where Do We Go From Here?", "Our Challenge!" and "We Carry On." The book also holds advice and input such as "A Message to the Second Generation Japanese from Consul General Shuh Tomii" and an article on "California Alien Land Law" written by a San Francisco attorney. This issue contains a whopping 190 photographic images, revealing local chapters, conventions and sports teams, with "snapshots" of members at work and at play. It has lists and portraits of the 29 Bhratri staff members (14 of whom, including an assistant editor, were women) and a four-page "Local Organization Officers' Chart." The book provides "Newsy Bits, District by District" and detailed reports of the 8th and 7th annual meetings, respectively, of YMBA and YWBA in 1933 and the "Proceedings of the First Canada-Hawaii-America Conference" held in San Francisco in 1932. There are histories of the various leagues, as well as a "Research" section with articles on the "Great Enlightenment," "The Inward Eye," "The Sunday Schools of America" and the women's take on "Preparation for Life." A "Literary" section shows a painting of Yosemite and short stories by group members, and 20 original poems are scattered throughout. There are also "Memorials," "Humor" and "Athletic Activity Reports Chapter by Chapter." Of special note is a directory and advertising section, illumined by this editor's note: "In conformity with the resolution passed at the 1933 Conference . . . the Bhratri staff presents this Master Directory of its membership . . . in the next forty and odd pages, you will find the names of about three thousand active members with incomplete list of former members of our North American Leagues of both Y.M. and Y.W.B.A." There are also 238 ads for (presumably) Issei- and/or Nisseiowned California businesses, 107 of which were either bilingual or wholly Japanese. These include the "N.Y.K. Line (Japan Mail)" head office in Tokyo and branches in four states, as well as local photography studios, launderers, florists, optometrists, dentists, markets and undertakers. A rare, remarkable resource on first- and second-generation Japanese Americans and student organizations in California. Not recorded in OCLC. A web search revealed one issue (not this one) within a collection of BCA records at UCLA.