As a Sansei, (third generation Japanese American), I explore my Japanese heritage through my art by touching on culture, history, narratives and identity. My most recent work is deeply intertwined in the Japanese incarceration during WW11. As I studied and researched my family and ancestors, I learned so much about what my family struggles and began to make art in their honor. I am on now on a mission to keep these stories alive, so that the atrocities of prejudice, inhumane treatment, and deceit by our government cease to repeat itself. We must never forget.
"Altar of Solidarity", Flowering Cherry Blossom Installation, 9' x 10' x 10', Brocade fabric, sheer fabric, thread, raffia, photos, lace, trims, Shinto Arrows
Photo by Bob Hsiang 2022
In 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 and over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry and many of them American citizens were sent away to American Concentration Camps because they were considered a “threat”. Innocent children were also strongly affected. Although the Declaration of Independence states, “All Men Are Created Equal”, it did not ring true during that era for these innocent Americans of Japanese descent.
My grandfather and family was imprisoned at Gila River in Arizona and then transferred to Tule Lake.
My work uniquely explores the themes of healing injustices. It all began with a photograph of my grandfather and his brother at their nursery in Berkeley, surrounded by soldiers and army trucks loaded with plants to be donated to Ford Ord in Monterey. When my uncle unearthed my family’s story to me, it was my heartbreaking introduction into their unjust incarceration during WWll.
My grandfather and family was imprisoned at Gila River in Arizona and then transferred to Tule Lake.
My work uniquely explores the themes of healing injustices. It all began with a photograph of my grandfather and his brother at their nursery in Berkeley, surrounded by soldiers and army trucks loaded with plants to be donated to Ford Ord in Monterey. When my uncle unearthed my family’s story to me, it was my heartbreaking introduction into their unjust incarceration during WWll.
The Golden Crane 2019, Grandpa (Fred Kakichi Fujii) at Gila River Camp tending to the gardens. I felt the devastation and pain on my grandfather’s face as I worked on my captivity piece. The somber downward gaze of loss and loneliness without his wife and children, as he gardened at Gila River Concentration Camp. In his hand, he sows the seeds of hope as the golden crane swoops in to soothe his spirit, symbolizing hope, peace, compassion, and healing.
Mixed Media on Wood, Acrylic, Graphite, Barbed Wire, Origami Paper, 18k Gold Leaf, 24" x 36"
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Legacy of Fujii Nursery 2014, -
Grandpa, Fred Kiechi Fujii and his brother, Mauro Fujii, donated thousands of flowering cherry trees and plants from their nursery in Berkeley just before incarceration during WWll, Photomontage on Wood 54" x 42"
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Bewildered, Since the onset of Covid, the Anti-Asian Hate, beatings and killings, attacks and racism against people of color, the war in Ukraine, and now the devastation of Gaza. I am feeling so bewildered! Bewilderment is an emotion commonly associated with other emotions such as being confused, perplexed, puzzled, baffled, disorientated, oblivious or lost. My bewilderment began with the onset of covid, and then the Anti Asian-Hate, children locked up at the borders, attacks and killings on people of color, the war in Ukraine… when will it end?
30" x 30", Oil on Canvas,
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"Altar of Solidarity", Flowering Cherry Blossom Installation
Brocade fabric, sheer fabric, thread, rafia, photos, lace, trims, Shinto Arrows
Hand sewn dress 2018, Redesigned Ukata, thread, fabric, trims, 18k Gold Leaf 32" x 17" x 9" - Haiku Poem, Washi Paper, Ink, Leaves, Fabric, 18k Gold Leaf 17" x 13" My Cherry Blossom Art honors my family who gave away and donated thousands of Flowering Cherry Trees and plants prior to their imprisonment during WWll.
Photographer: Reiko Fujii
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Flowering Cherry Blossom Art
Life is imperfect, life is fragile, and life is impermanent, just like a cherry blossom flower.
My love of the flowering cherry blossom flower deepened after learning about my family history during WWll and the many injustices placed upon them and so many others. Fujii Nursery donated over 3,000 Flowering Cherry Trees to the City of Berkeley and nearby communities and cities as a gesture of good will, prior to incarceration. Their last crop never made it to market.
Life is imperfect, life is fragile, and life is impermanent, just like a cherry blossom flower.
My love of the flowering cherry blossom flower deepened after learning about my family history during WWll and the many injustices placed upon them and so many others. Fujii Nursery donated over 3,000 Flowering Cherry Trees to the City of Berkeley and nearby communities and cities as a gesture of good will, prior to incarceration. Their last crop never made it to market.
Cherry Blossom Flowers - Honoring My Loved Ones
Delicately hand-sewn, one by one, step by step...
Brocade fabric, sheer fabric, thread, raffia, photos, lace, trims
Cherry Blossom Textile Flowers, Brocade and sheer fabric, thread, trims, ink, photos, 18k Gold Leaf, shinto arrows, rafia 84" x 84" x 72"
