In the late 1800s, Seattle began regularly shipping routes with East Asia, including China, Japan, and the Philippines. This regular trade would continue through the early 1900s, dipping in World War I, but then halting almost entirely during World War II, as the port shifted to support the U.S. war effort. According to photographer Josef Scaylea, this 1948 photo shows the deck crew of the first Japanese ship in Seattle since before the war.

Scaylea (1913-2004) worked for 35 years as chief photographer for the Seattle Times, winning over 1000 awards for his photographs highlighting the scenery and people in the Pacific Northwest. He donated a collection of his photographs and photography equipment to MOHAI in 1993.

Handwritten on image: Josef Scaylea.
Handwritten on verso: News - 1948. Deck crew of the first Japanese ship in Seattle after World [War] II.