2025 Side By Side: Nihonmachi Scenes By Tokita, Nomura, And Fujii (Showcasing Pre-WWII Japantown Artworks by Three Issei Artists)NEW

Seattle’s pre-WWII nihonmachi, or Japantown, looked very different than it does today. In the decade before the war, three Issei artists flourished in the thriving Japanese community before the mass incarceration changed the face of the neighborhood forever. Kamekichi Tokita (1897-1948), Kenjiro Nomura (1896-1956), and Takuichi Fujii (1891-1964) received widespread recognition and praise for their paintings, which provide an intimate view of what nihonmachi’s familiar streets, alleys, storefronts, and houses looked like before the war.

In the American post-war years, the three artists fell into obscurity as the Japanese community struggled to rebuild their lives, but recently their life stories and artistic achievements have gradually been brought back to light. Side By Side features their work from the 1930s during the height of their artistic recognition and is the largest exhibition featuring the three artists’ work.

Summary
The Wing Luke Museum is hosting an exhibition titled "Side By Side: Nihonmachi Scenes by Tokita, Nomura, and Fujii," showcasing pre-WWII Japantown artworks by three Issei artists from August 16, 2024, to May 11, 2025.

Dates
August 16, 2024 through May 11, 2025

Location
In the George Tsutakawa Art Gallery at Wing Luke Museum

Tickets

Takuichi Fujii’s Diary
The exhibition also includes the illustrated “Diary of Takuichi Fujii” which depicts scenes that Fujii painted from within the incarceration camp during World War II, 1942-1945, making the Diary a more stunning visual reflection of loss, fear, and racism, when contrasted with the pre-War scenes.

Opening Reception - August 15, 2024 Exclusive to Members & Special Guests
RSVP for an exclusive preview of the new exhibition at our members-only opening night reception.

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