Joyce Collins' collection on Yasuji Tohjo

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITArc-0505

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Joyce Collins collection on Yasuji Tohjo consists of four oversize black-and-white photographs taken by Yasuji for class projects,and one portrait of Yasuji by D. Montrallo in Box 1. His formal kimono ensemble including the kimono, haori jacket, and sandals are housed in Box 2-3. The men's black silk kimono with gold Tohjo family crest embroidered on the back features a dragon, a silk haori jacket is worn under the kimono, and a pair of traditional Japanese zori sandals to complete the outfit. The sandals are similar to flip flops and constructed of straw and black velvet cord.

Class work includes:

Black and white 6" x 6" photo of a bird house and trees developed as a student project on 10/22/1962 with original photo and teacher's critique notes on the back.

Black and white 8" x 9.5" photo of a building and steel girders developed as a student project on 4/5/1963 with original photo and teacher's critique notes on back.

Black and white 8" x 9.5" photos of an "Old House" developed as a student project on 5/3/1963. Teacher's critique notes are on the back.

Black and white 9.5" x 8.75" night photo of an A&P grocery store developed as a student project on 11/14/1963 with original photo and teacher's critique notes on back.

Dates

Creation: circa 1960's

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Yasuji Tohjo was an international student at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) during the early 1960s. Originally from Suginami (an area of Tokyo), Japan, Yasuji studied photography and planned to join his family's photography business in Japan after graduation. While at RIT, he was known as a dedicated student and played on both the varsity soccer and tennis teams. Yasuji was returning from a trip to Washington, DC when he was involved in a fatal car accident in June 1964.

Yasuji's fellow students on the soccer and tennis teams planted cherry trees on the new campus in honor of their friend. These trees served as the starting point for the Japanese garden. In 1965, Tohjo’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Usaku Tohjo, announced that they would donate a large Japanese lantern for a garden to be created in honor of their son. The Yasuji Tojo Memorial Lantern was hand-carved out of granite and was to serve as the focal point of a garden dedicated as a living memorial to eternal youth. In 1975, the garden was dedicated in memory of Yasuji and renamed the Tojo Memorial Garden.

The items in the collection were donated by Joyce Collins his "American Mother". His funeral was held at her home in Rochester, N.Y. where Yasuji lived while attending RIT.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (3 large flat boxes)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

The Joyce Collins' collection on Yasuji Tohjo consists of photographs taken by Yasuji for class projects, as well as his formal kimono ensemble including the kimono, haori jacket, and sandals.