PASADENA — A presentation on Japanese American photographer Tōyō Miyatake by his grandson, Alan Miyatake, will take place on Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m. at Pasadena Public Library’s Lamanda Park Branch, 140 S. Altadena Dr., Pasadena.
Tōyō Miyatake (1895–1979) was best known for his photographs documenting his fellow Japanese Americans during their incarceration at Manzanar during World War II. He smuggled a camera lens into the camp and constructed a camera body from wood. The pictures he secretly took at the camp are among the relatively few that show the plight of the U.S. citizen inmates.
After the war, the Miyatake family returned to Los Angeles, where their home had been entrusted to some of their Caucasian friends during the incarceration. Unlike many families who lost their homes, the Miyatakes were able to resume their life and provide shelter to a few less fortunate incarcerees and their families.
In post-war Little Tokyo, many residents were unable to afford Miyatake’s services, and some opted instead to barter goods to have him photograph weddings and portraits. Running the front office, his wife, Hiro, once negotiated his services for a Steinway piano and, another time, for a litter of poodles.
One-hour program, followed by Q&A. For more information about the library, including accessibility, call (626) 744-7266.
For more information about Tōyō Miyatake Studio, which is located in San Gabriel, visit www.toyomiyatake.com.