Los Angeles Japantown Landmark HCNC Little Tokyo Representatives Brian Kito, Howard Nishimura, Kei Nagao and Ron Fong at the unveiling of the Los Angeles Japantown Landmark, August 16, 2006.

The Los Angeles Japantown Landmark Project is part of the California Japantown Landmarks Project, which strives to create a powerful and emotional permanent outdoor exhibit in each of the three remaining historic Japantowns (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose) in the State of California. Constructed of bronze and stone by artists Louis Quaintance and Eugene Daub, the Landmark is 9' tall weighing over 1000 lbs. The Los Angeles Landmark is currently located in the courtyard of the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street.

The goal of the California Japantown Landmarks Project is to capture the hopes and struggles of the Japanese American community and to provide visitors the opportunity to learn about and gain a better understanding of the history and challenges of the Japanese American community. In addition, this project seeks to create a historical landmark exhibit in common with each of the three communities, which would not only designate our Japantowns as a historic and cultural California community asset but also educate individuals about the history of our communities -- to the fact that they are not just tourist destinations but are real neighborhoods where our commmunities were born, where our two cultures first met, our first businesses were developed and where civil liberty violations in our American history took place.

This project was made possible by the support of:
California Civil Liberties Public Education Program
California Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Proposition 40
California Japanese American Community Leadership Council
California SB307: Legislation Preserving California's Japantowns
Historic Cultural Neigborhood Council
Little Tokyo Service Center

Little Tokyo Mural Unveiling of the Little Tokyo Mural October 29, 2005.

The mural, Home is Little Tokyo, is the culimination of three years of work by almost 500 individuals, groups and organizations. At over 100 years old, Little Tokyo is the heart of the Southern California Japanese American community. The 16 x 40 foot mural captures this long history and is a celebration of community teamwork and self-determination.

The mural, located at Central Avenue and First Street, was designed by Tony Osumi, Sergio Diaz and Jorge Diaz. The Japanese calligraphy was done by Tatsushi Nakamura. Hundreds of volunteers assisted in the prepping, painting and detailing of the mural.

This project was made possible by the support of:
California Dept. of Parks & Recreation, Proposition 40
City of Los Angeles Office of Community Beautification
Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles
Fugetsu-do Confectionery
Historic Cultural Neigborhood Council
JVP Investment, Inc.
Little Tokyo Community Council
Little Tokyo Service Center
Office of Councilmember Jan Perry

More to come