Our ancestors came from Japan, the land of the rising sun. By blood, we are Japanese, and our cultural ties are the heritage and traditions from Japan. Our parents, grandparents and great grandparents were raised in Japan and came here as immigrants seeking to start a new life in the land of opportunity.   

Little Tokyo first started as the economic center for Japanese immigrants in 1884, when a former Japanese sailor opened a restaurant on East First Street. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Japanese immigration to the Los Angeles area increased significantly. Many were young bachelors seeking to earn enough money to return to Japan with sufficient wealth, but with minimal English proficiency, they had to work low-income jobs on the railroads and farms.

Being conscientious hard workers, many became successful entrepreneurs in the farming, plant and flower nursery, and fishing industries. Others opened businesses catering to the growing Japanese population, particularly restaurants, boarding houses and jobs assistance. The area around East First Street began to be called “Little Tokyo.” Notably, in 1903, the Rafu Shimpo newspaper started publication, and the still in operation Fugetsu-Do manju shop opened.

Public sentiment against the influx and economic success of Japanese immigrants resulted in the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907. It required the Japanese government not to allow any more laborers to immigrate to the United States. Exceptions were given for professionals, technicians and women. However, many Japanese men would continue to immigrate, primarily and hazardously by way of Mexico. Also, many women immigrated to the United States to become “picture brides.” The marriages brought commitment, children, and stability to the Japanese immigrant community.

Japanese farmers were highly successful in growing truck crops and their distribution. They were producing and wholesaling amajority of the fresh vegetables consumed in Los Angeles. Their success fueled major anti-Japanese sentiment that resulted in the California Alien Land Law of 1913. It decreed that Aliens ineligible for citizenship were prohibited from owning land or leasing land for more than three years. But Japanese immigrants were resilient and determined and found ways around the law by tenant farming, forming corporations with White citizens, and purchasing land through their children.

Anti-Japanese sentiment also made them work together in forming community organizations to advance, protect and enhance their businesses and families. Japanese churches, banks, schools, medical clinics, and various social and cultural organizations benefiting the community, were formed. Many were located in Little Tokyo, which became the Japanese business, cultural, religious and social center for the Los Angeles and Southern California community.

The first-generation Issei were in charge of all matters, but as the growing second generation Nisei population matured, they were given a greater role. Little Tokyo businesses’ interdependence and the intergenerational desires to involve the Nisei generation, led to the start of the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in 1934.

Nisei Week brought together many of the Japanese businesses, organizations, temples, churches, cultural arts people, and other interested Japanese Americans from throughout the region. They organized and together presented a pageant and festival of Japanese products, displays, culture, activities, and eventsfor a whole week. The goal was to attract Japanese Americans from all over Southern California, as well as to introduce Little Tokyo and Japanese arts and culture to the general American population, to promote understanding and appreciation.

Nisei Week was a great success that was appreciated and enjoyed by thousands of people. It became an annual affair that expanded to include Ondo dancing, a grand parade, carnival, martial arts, and competitive athletic events. All generations participated, from the young to the old. There were baby and beauty contests and recognition of Issei pioneers.

This summer, the Nisei Week festival was held again. As usual, many people participated and enjoyed its many cultural festivities. The most highly attended activity was the Nisei Week Grand Parade. The streets of Little Tokyo were filled with Japanese Ondo dancers, musicians, floats, vehicles, dignitaries, and many varied participants. The Tanabata Festival held at the Japanese American National Museum plaza attracted visitors with its many Japanese cultural booths. The large display of colorful, hanging paper decorations called Kazari were prepared by many organizations, including those from Japan. The community Ondo dancing for all ages closed one whole block of First Street and very festively concluded Nisei Week.

In addition to Nisei Week Festival activities, Little Tokyo was active during the early summer, with its numerous Buddhist temples hosting Obon Festivals. Obon festivals are dedicated to remembering and honoring ancestors. They included carnival games, home-cooked foods, and traditional Japanese Obon dancing. 

With thousands of apartments constructed nearby and transit access improved with the opening of the Little Tokyo/Arts District Regional Connector Subway Station, Little Tokyo is bustling, especially on the weekends. Crowds come to look, shop, and dine.  In addition, superstar Shohei Otani joining the Los Angeles Dodgers and having a gigantic, 12-story tall, interactive mural on the side of the Miyako Hotel, is attracting visitors—including tourists from Japan.

Come visit iconic Little Tokyo—the center of the Japanese American community in Los Angeles and Southern California.

 

© 2024 Yukio Kawaratani