unveiling a piece of Utah's history
A COMMUNITY IS THE MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF KNOWING THAT THE PLACE IS SHARED, AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE PLACE DEFINE AND LIMIT THE
POSSIBILITIES OF EACH OTHER'S LIVES. IT IS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT PEOPLE HAVE OF EACH OTHER, THEIR CONCERN FOR EACH OTHER, THEIR TRUST IN EACH OTHER, THE FREEDOM WITH WHICH THEY COME AND GO AMONG THEMSELVES.
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WENDELL BERRY
DID YOU KNOW?
During the late 1880’s, Japanese immigrants arrived in the
United States to work in the mining, agriculture, and railroad industry. Many of the Japanese settled in Utah. The first generation immigrants were known as the Issei. Throughout the years, the community continued to grow, establishing a new life. A cultural hub soon began to form, known as first south, J-town, Japanese town or most commonly now known as Japantown. Japantown (South Temple to State Street from 400 South to 700 West) was a place where the community lived, established businesses, and grew a strong community network. In the 1960's Japantown was demolished to make room for the Salt Palace Convention Center. Businesses shutdown, and the Japanese community was displaced.
IN 1966, JAPANTOWN WAS DEMOLISHED TO MAKE ROOM FOR A NEW SALT PALACE CONVENTION CENTER
"AMERICA IS UNIQUE BECAUSE OF IT’S DIVERSITY, WE ARE ALL PUT TOGETHER FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES,YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO TOO FAR TO EXPERIENCE DIVERSITY, IF YOU TAKE THAT AWAY AMERICA DOESN’T EXIST."
TOSHIHARU KANO
Hiroshima Survivor
"JAPANTOWN HAPPENED BECAUSE OF SEGREGATION, DISCRIMINATION, PREJUDICE, AND FEAR..... ALL THE INCOMING IMMIGRANTS WERE IN THIS AREA OF THE CITY."
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IRENE MAYA OTA
University of Utah, Dept. of Social Work
Demolition of Aloha Cafe, Marriott Library, Japanese Archives
"WHAT MAKES A GREAT CITY ISN’T THE STRUCTURES, IT IS PEOPLE. AND COMMUNITY."
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JANI IWAMOTO
Utah State Legislature, 4th District
world war II and the japanese community
WE WERE INCARCERATED BECAUSE WE WERE JAPANESE. 120,000 JAPANESE WERE UPROOTED FROM THEIR HOMES, ACCUSED OF BEING AGENTS, AND WITHOUT A TRIAL WE WERE PUT IN JAIL, WE LOST OUR HOMES OUR CARS, OUR BUSINESSES, MOST OF US WERE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND COMMITTED NO CRIME .
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TED NAGATA
Graphic Designer and Artist
