Spiritual Legacy Project – Japanese American Immigrants in Los Angeles – Sponsored by Chikashi Tanaka Photo Estate

Spiritual Legacy Series (ink, digital print on wood) 2018

The Spiritual Legacy is a series of photographic images circa 1910-1920 of the Japanese American Community in Los Angeles derived from glass plate negatives taken by Chikashi Tanaka who had a studio in Little Tokyo. Chikashi’s uncle was Gi’Ichi Tanaka, founder of Union Church of Los Angeles. It served as a cornerstone for the Japanese community in Los Angeles for over a century.

This project was sponsored by Little Tokyo Historical Society and Chikashi Tanaka Photo Estate to preserve the history of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

Recently, due to rising real estate value in the Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles, gentrification is affecting the cultural and religious institutions, and Japanese people in LA are faced with a challenge. This series was made in response to the rapid changes and manipulation of history taking place by the administration and leadership of some of the institutions like Union Church of Los Angeles where investment banking and development opportunities prioritize over sustainability and spiritual responsibility.

The work tells a story of the brave Issei Pioneers that came to Los Angeles before WW2, struggled to make money before losing everything and interned to camps. Mike Saijo often juxtaposes text/image, this time collaborating with his mother who wrote in English and Japanese. Expressions of what an Issei immigrating to American must have felt or experienced inside, or some fictional writing.

Tanaka Family & Union Church (3rd St, Los Angeles)