Kazuko and Wayne: A Japanese-American Romance Taken Between Dec 1955 and January 1957

"I'm wondering if without our memories, there's nothing for it but for our love to fade and die" — Kazuo Ishiguro

Kazuko arrives in California November 1956

 

A set of photos documenting the marriage of a couple named Wayne and Kazuko, taken between Dec 1955 and January 1957. Unfortunately, I do not know their last names, or anything else about them, says Doug Price. It’s sad that this set ended up on ebay, and the seller could tell me nothing about them. Marriages of this sort were not common in the ’50s, so this is an interesting glimpse of these two people, their families, and how they started their lives together.

We begin in November 1956, with the above photo. The photographer captures it ‘Kazuko’s arrival in California’. If you know Kazuko and Wayne, do tell, we’d love to hear from you…

 

Slides sent to Kazuko in Japan, 1956

Slides sent to Kazuko in Japan, 1956

Wayne, Redondo Beach, California April 1956

Wayne, Redondo Beach, California April 1956

Aloha Tower, Honolulu July 7, 1956

Aloha Tower, Honolulu July 7, 1956

Kazuko on her "first" wedding day, July 11, 1956

Kazuko on her “first” wedding day, July 11, 1956

Wayne at the American consulate, Tokyo July 11, 1956

Wayne at the American consulate, Tokyo July 11, 1956

Christmas at Aunt Hazels, Dec 1956

Christmas at Aunt Hazels, Dec 1956

Kazuko at Lake Biwa, July 1956

Kazuko at Lake Biwa, Japan, July 1956

Kazuko, Jodoji bus stop, August,1956

Kazuko, Jodoji bus stop, August,1956

Family pre-supper feast, August 1956

Family pre-supper feast, August 1956

A. Yoshiko dancing, Aug 1956

A. Yoshiko dancing, Aug 1956

Kazukos Family Portrait, August 1956

Kazukos Family Portrait, August 1956

Kazuko, Daimonji Apt, Aug 1956

Kazuko, Daimonji Apt, Aug 1956

Sanjo/Kawaramachi area August 1956

Sanjo/Kawaramachi area August 1956

Kazuko outside Daimaru Dept store, August 1956

Kazuko outside Daimaru Dept store, August 1956

Kazuko at a Kyoto hotel tea room, Aug 1956

Kazuko at a Kyoto hotel tea room, Aug 1956

Toshiko and Family, Kyoto August 1956

Toshiko and Family, Kyoto August 1956

Toshiko and Family, Kyoto RTO, Aug 1956

Toshiko and Family, Kyoto RTO, Aug 1956

Kazuko and Yasuhiko, Kyoto RTO, Aug 1956

Kazuko and Yasuhiko, Kyoto RTO, Aug 1956

Ugawara Seifu Hotel, Japan, August 1956

Ugawara Seifu Hotel, Japan, August 1956

Kazuko in the Ugawara Seifu hotel, August 1956

Kazuko in the Ugawara Seifu hotel, Japan, August 1956

Honolulu control tower, Aug 1956

Honolulu control tower, Aug 1956

PAA Clipper, return from Japan Aug 1956

PAA Clipper, return from Japan Aug 1956

Kazuko Arrives! Nov 1956

Kazuko Arrives! Nov 1956

Wayne and Kazukos wedding, 12/16/1956

Wayne and Kazukos wedding, 12/16/1956

Rose bowl parade, Pasadena, California 1957

Rose bowl parade, Pasadena, Ca 1957

Rose Bowl Parade, Jan 1957

Rose Bowl Parade, Jan 1957

Kazuko in her '49 Ford convertible, Jan 1957

Kazuko in her ’49 Ford convertible, Jan 1957

Kazuko at Hermosa Beach, Jan 1957

Kazuko at Hermosa Beach, Jan 1957

Would you like to support Flashbak?

Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.