Japanese Internment Sculpture

In the loud and busy downtown San Jose, there is a statue that represents how the Japanese lived before and after World War II. 

The artist Ruth Asawa made one statue with two sides shows the phases of an average Japanese living before and after the war. 

On one side of the sculpture, we see a lot of Japanese immigrating to the West Coast adapting to farm life and agriculture. 

A group of Immigrants getting off of the boat looking into a whole new world. 

Farmers picking fresh apples off of the trees and place them in the market. 

The vast vineyards and hills add to the beauty of the California land.

Picking mochi off the pants while the farmers carry on their newborn on their backs. 

The families taking a picnic by the trees watching it all as if life couldn't get any better. 

People forced to move out of their town, cars filled with their personal items. 

Lined forming in each bus to deport to another place they will soon call home forever. 

"MUST VACATE" and "EVACUATION SALE" signs taking up the windows in the stores. 

The businessmen in suits are waiting for the deportation to take in place. 

When you turn to the other side of the sculpture shows how the Japanese lived after-war life in concentration camps. 

Loved ones saying goodbye as they leave on the train going to war with armed men in every sight. 

Rows of small houses are being built for each family. 

In crowded food halls, cafeteria style food was served one by one. 

Sad faces in the alleyway of each house, trying to live through one day at a time. 

A small family receiving living through the pain with another loved one died during the war. 

Crosses in each grave increasing showing the aftermath of a terrible war. 

Group of men gathering near a fire trying to stay warm in the cold winters in combat. 

Standing tall in the heart of Silicon Valley a memorial statue. With each bronze beignet on the statue paints a vivid image of how the Japanese lived through post-war and after the war.