KOHO, REALSOUL, Ryan Takemiya, and the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) invite you to our storytelling event, “A Love Letter to J-Town: Stories of Resilience.”
Through the different storytellers and vendors, we aim to educate people about redevelopment and gentrification in San Francisco Japantown.
This event is a platform for community members, artists, and organizations to share their perspectives and foster connection. By coming together, we can deepen our understanding, and collectively work towards a thriving Japantown for generations to come.
Vendors start from 3-5PM and the storytelling event takes place from 5-7pm.
RSVP Today! The first 50 attendees to RSVP can pick up KOHO swag at the event!
Japantown communities have endured a complex history marked by systemic oppression and extraordinary resilience. From the fight against postwar urban renewal to today's battle against gentrification, these neighborhoods have consistently faced threats to their existence. The first threat to the Japanese American community came as a result of WWII. In the 1940s, “urban renewal” promised to revitalize American cities. However, the reality forcibly removed predominantly marginalized communities from their homes, destroyed businesses, and displaced locals with no promise of returning. In San Francisco, the demolition of the Fillmore and Japantown made way for the first and largest experimental redevelopment sites in the country.
This event is a platform for community members, artists, and organizations to share their perspectives and foster connection. By coming together, we can deepen our understanding, and collectively work towards a thriving Japantown for generations to come.
Let's celebrate resilience, honor the past, and shape the future together.
Who are our storytellers?
Francis Wong
Francis Wong has a 45+ year history in student and community activism, beginning in the Asian American Movement of the 1970s and 80s. He is known for his contributions to community-based arts that share the stories and perspectives of Asian Americans. He was honored for his academic excellence and for his artistic and community practice in the Asian American community. As an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and music director, he directed and recorded musical scores for Lenora Lee’s immersive dance theater works “The Detached” and “Rescued: NY Stories” (2014) which dealt with the issue of human trafficking and “Fire of Freedom” (2015). He also released a CD of new work entitled “Needs Are Met” in collaboration with legendary saxophonist Ari Brown and veteran bassist Tatsu Aoki in Chicago.
Richard Hashimoto (Interview Recording)
Richard is currently the Corporate Manager of the City of San Francisco Japan Center Garage Corporation and has worked at the garage since 1977.
Since 2001, Richard serves as the President of the Japantown Merchants Association, an organization advocating for merchants to promote and build commerce in Japantown. He was the co-chair of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival from 2005 to 2017, which is considered to be the second largest festival of its kind in the U.S. that he cultivated as one of the ten best in the world and has received numerous accolades under his leadership.
In addition, Richard serves on the Golden Gate Institute, Inc. (Kinmon Gakuen) board of directors. Kinmon Gakuen served as the assembly and processing center for the incarceration of Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II and was recently designated by the city of San Francisco as an historic landmark and a legacy business.
Who are our vendors?
Realsoul
REALSOUL empowers educators with top-notch, culturally responsive, student-centered lessons. Our unique creative offerings integrate rich histories of marginalized communities with art, social studies, English language arts, math, and science — all while fostering community and collaboration!
Asian American Curriculum Project
The Asian American Curriculum Project, Inc. has been an award winning non-profit voluntary educational organization since 1969. Our original name was Japanese American Curriculum Project JACP, Inc. Since our beginning in 1969, we have grown to offer the most complete collection of Asian American books. The books and other materials offered are for all age groups, all levels of education and all Asian ethnic groups. Materials include literature, folk tales, posters, magazine, tapes on language and music, games, activities, teachers guides, dictionaries, bilingual materials and reference books on history, social issues and education.