Images and Imaginings of Internment: Comics and Illustrations of Camp

Eddie Sato

Born in 1930 in Seattle, Eddie Hirofumi Sato was a Japanese American artist most well known for his comic “Dokie,” which he drew while incarcerated. Sato was first sent to the Puyallup Assembly Center in Puyallup, Washington, called “Camp Harmony.” After spending some time at Puyallup, Sato was moved to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho. While at Minidoka, Sato drew comics and cartoons for the camp newspaper, The Minidoka Irrigator. Sato created his own comic character that he wanted to name “Potato,” but his editors decided to organize a contest, and the name “Dokie” won. The comic ran until May 1943, when Sato left the camp to serve in the military. After the end of the war in 1945, Sato returned to Seattle and graduated from high school in 1947, and remained an artist until the end of his life.

Dokie 


Camp Harmony Newsletter

This souvenir edition of the newsletter features sketches of the camp grounds and activities drawn by Eddie Sato when he was 19 years old. Included are memories of the daily activities in various areas of the camp, a calendar of memorable dates, and articles focusing on the upcoming move to Minidoka.

An editorial written by James Sakamoto, the head of the Japanese staff at Camp Harmony, states "Let us not forget that our record here will speak for us during that difficult period ore rehabilitation that must follow the end of the war. Let us go to our new homes cheerfully and loyally, thankful for the period of adjustment given us at Camp Harmony, with faith in the democratic principles of the United States, and determined to carry on until final victory is ours."

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