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Chikako Kutsuna and Cy Olejnik, Tokyo, 1958. Courtesy of Carrie Olejnik and Cris Sanchez

The experiences of the nearly 45,000 Japanese women who immigrated to the United States as wives of American military servicemembers after World War II are explored in the exhibition Japanese War Brides: Across a Wide Divide from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES). These young women left their homes to build lives within the complexities of postwar American society. Their experiences reshaped communities by challenging immigration laws and race relations.

The exhibition examines the lives of ordinary women living in extraordinary times, women who navigated the wide divide between the country of their birth and the country of their husbands. It was a divide of cultural, social and legal differences. The exhibition begins by examining how the lives of Japanese citizens and occupying American servicemen intertwined during the Allied Occupation of Japan between 1945 and 1952. It outlines the obstacles of U.S. laws banning Asian immigration and the push to change perceptions following WWII.

The exhibition highlights how these women learned to be mid-century American housewives while preserving their cultures. It is a story as varied as their circumstances from geography and the race of one’s husband, to religion, work and career military or civilian life.

Through touchscreen displays, visitors can explore a historical and cultural timeline highlighting significant dates relevant to Japanese war brides in both the U.S. and Japan. They can also hear personal accounts from Japanese women and their families that reflect on the themes of the bride schools, moving to the United States, marriage, parenting, identity and community. Videos showcase segments from 1950s films that helped shape expectations on both sides of the world. Films produced by Allied forces screened throughout Japan during the occupation period promoted American sentiments and values. While in the U.S., films and other media played a pivotal role in creating new stereotypes of Japanese people and Japanese women in particular.

The arrival of these brides marked the largest women-only immigration event in U.S. history and, by 1960, had increased the population of Asian Americans in the U.S. by 10%. In contrast to other waves of immigrants, war brides did not settle in established immigrant communities with strong Japanese cultural roots. They lived in cities and towns, big and small, across America, often without familial, linguistic or cultural support networks. Not all women lived happy lives or had intact marriages, but many carved out meaningful lives in their communities despite formidable challenges.

The exhibition draws upon the work of three daughters of Japanese war brides to better understand their mothers’ experiences. Through War Bride Experience Inc., Lucy Craft, Karen Kasmauski and Kathryn Tolbert collected oral histories of war brides and members of their families. Japanese War Brides features many of these voices that provide personal reflections on life in postwar Japan, their experience as new immigrants in the U.S. and their legacies.

Irving Archives and Museum is honored to host the exhibit, HOLD FLOWERS IN BOTH HANDS: One woman's story of love, faith and fortitude, a captivating exploration of one woman’s journey from postwar Japan to a new life in the DFW area of Texas. Featuring the story of Setsuko Nagasawa Kinslow, a Japanese war bride and beloved community member, this exhibit shines a light on her extraordinary life with themes of love, resilience, and cultural connection. On view at IAM through March 2025.

The exhibit delves into Setsuko’s remarkable life, tracing her path from her early years in Ashikaga City, Japan, to her performances with the Tokyo Rangers, and eventually to her life in the United States as the wife of Anthony Kinslow, an American servicemember. Highlights include photographs of her career as a singer, personal letters that reveal her courage in bridging two worlds, and artifacts that illustrate her role as a cultural ambassador in her adopted community.

"Setsuko Nagasawa Kinslow’s story is one of determination and grace,” said Jennifer Landry, Director of the Irving Archives and Museum. "Through this exhibit, we not only honor her legacy but also deepen our understanding of how global events shape individual lives and local communities. Her story adds a rich, personal dimension to the national themes explored in the Smithsonian’s Japanese War Brides: Across a Wide Divide."

HOLD FLOWERS IN BOTH HANDS: One woman's story of love, faith and fortitude complements the Smithsonian traveling exhibition by offering a localized perspective. Together, these exhibits highlight the experiences of nearly 45,000 Japanese women who immigrated to the United States as war brides, reshaping American culture and communities.

A particular highlight of the exhibit is Setsuko’s connection to the Tokyo Rangers, a postwar Japanese music group known for their blend of traditional Japanese performance styles and Western music influences. Rare promotional materials and performance photos capture her vibrant presence as a singer and cultural trailblazer. Visitors can also explore touching moments from her life, such as letters exchanged with her mother-in-law and scenes from their family milestones, including their departure from Japan to start a new chapter in Texas.

This exhibit serves as a poignant reminder of how personal stories connect us to larger historical narratives, offering a deeper appreciation for the unique contributions of Japanese war brides to American society.

Host or Publisher Irving Archives & Museum