Japanese Ghosts in the Arizona Desert

After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order that deported tens of thousands of Japanese-American citizens into internment camps located in the western U.S.

Poston

One of these camps called Poston was located on the Colorado River Indian Reservation that extents across the Arizona-California border. This reservation is the home for 4 Native American nations--the Mohave, Hopi, Nu Wu, and Navajo.

Between May and August of 1942, 17,876 Japanese-Americans were forced to leave their homes and were put on trains that relocated them to this reservation.

For the next 4 years these internees--mostly from the temperate California coast-- had to adjust to life in the desert. They endured sweltering hot summers, freezing winters and a constant barrage of dust and wind.

Many lived in barracks but some lived in homes they built themselves--with wood supplied by the government. Most reflected traditional Asian architecture-- pagoda style.

The Japanese endeavored to keep their lives as normal as possible. They grew community vegetable gardens and built a movie theatre. Bands and orchestras were formed and babies were born.

Japanese family in barracks at Poston.
Originally published 1943, LA Times

Others died. A Japanese cemetery was established at Parker--the largest town on the reservation.

In 1946, when these Japanese-Americans were finally released some families had their deceased loved ones disinterred and returned to the their homes. Others remain in this cemetery.

Most of the homes constructed by the internees were torn down and the lumber was given to the Native Americans. A few of these homes were left standing and they were offered to families on the reservation that wanted them. *

The families that moved in immediately knew these homes were haunted.

Doors would open and close without cause. Lights turned on and off at all hours of the day and night. One family saw a kitchen chair push away from the table and then move back as if someone had sat down with them.

Several residents mentioned they saw “shimmering human outlines” drifting through various rooms only to disappear through walls.

Many families were awakened by crashing silverware and rattling plates in the middle of the night. Others heard phantom footsteps and stomping throughout the day and night.

Yet others heard the sounds of voices, whispers and babies crying. One family constantly heard a woman shouting in one corner of their home.

These strange disturbances did not frighten the families that lived in these homes. They were more concerned because they understood the suffering that had been endured in the internment camp.

Native Americans are taught to respect spirits so when they encountered these Japanese spirits they knew they meant no harm. **

Excerpts taken from:

* Dan Asfar, Ghost Stories of Arizona and New Mexico.

** Antonio Garcez, American Indian Ghost Stories of the Southwest