Unveils Two Dazzling New Exhibits:
Japanese War Brides: Across A Wide Divide and Women of Yamato
On view through September 28
Delray Beach, FL – The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is proud to present two powerful exhibitions that illuminate the complex and often overlooked experiences of Japanese women in American history: Japanese War Brides: Across A Wide Divide and Women of Yamato. Both exhibits are on view now through September 28.
Japanese War Brides: Across A Wide Divide explores the lives of the nearly 45,000 Japanese women who immigrated to the United States as wives of U.S. military servicemembers after World War II. These young women left their homes and families to navigate the complexities of postwar American society. Their arrival marked the largest women-only immigration event in U.S. history, increasing the Asian American population by 10% by 1960, according to the Smithsonian.
In contrast to other immigrant groups, Japanese war brides were often isolated, settling in US cities and towns, typically without familial, linguistic, or cultural support. Yet they demonstrated remarkable resilience, learning English, adapting to American customs, and becoming integral members of their communities. Many worked in or started businesses, raised families, and slowly began to shift public perception. Their quiet determination helped change the reception and acceptance of Asian cultures, paving the way for future generations of immigrants.
The exhibition, produced in collaboration with The War Bride Experience, Inc., the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, and The Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Accompanying this national collection is Women of Yamato, a complementary exhibit that highlights the Japanese women who helped shape South Florida’s Yamato Colony and surrounding communities. Their legacy is a testament to cultural preservation, quiet strength, and generational impact—told through oral histories, photographs, and personal artifacts.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org, and follow on social @morikamimuseum.