For the sake of our Japanese brethren
Book Description
This groundbreaking study challenges conventional wisdom about faith, identity, and belonging in pre-World War II America. Drawing from nearly five decades of previously unexplored church archives, Brian Masaru Hayashi reveals the complex spiritual and cultural journey of Japanese Protestant communities in Los Angeles during a pivotal period in American history.
Rather than finding the expected story of religious assimilation, Hayashi uncovers a far more nuanced narrative. The book demonstrates how evangelical Protestantism, contrary to popular belief, did not necessarily accelerate cultural integration. Instead, it often reinforced connections to Japanese identity and values, creating a unique spiritual landscape where faith and cultural loyalty intersected in unexpected ways.
The research spans multiple generations, examining how first-generation immigrants and their American-born children navigated competing allegiances during the turbulent 1920s and 1930s. What emerges is a portrait of communities wrestling with fundamental questions of identity, purpose, and spiritual calling amid rising tensions between their adopted homeland and ancestral culture.
Through careful analysis of church records and community experiences, including the profound divisions that emerged during wartime internment, this work illuminates how religious communities grapple with questions of loyalty, belonging, and spiritual authenticity. The study offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand how faith communities navigate cultural identity while maintaining their spiritual foundations during times of social upheaval.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 217 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Japaner
- ✓ Explore Américains d'origine japonaise
- ✓ Explore Assimilation (Soziologie)
- ✓ Explore Manners and customs
- ✓ Explore Japanese, united states
- ✓ Explore Geschichte 1895-1942
- ✓ Explore Églises protestantes
- ✓ Explore Social life and customs
