North End of Waterfront Park
The Japanese American Historical Plaza is a significant cultural and historical site situated along the Willamette River in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown neighborhood. It commemorates the Japanese American community in the Pacific Northwest. It also educates visitors about Japanese history, their contributions, and experiences, especially during periods of adversity such as World War II.
Completed in 1990, the plaza features a series of memorials, sculptures, and interpretive panels that highlight the history of Japanese Americans in Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest. Prominent elements include a memorial to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II, as well as symbols celebrating cultural heritage and resilience.
The plaza serves as an open-air museum and gathering space, fostering awareness about the injustices faced by Japanese Americans and honoring their contributions to society. There are 13 large, basalt and granite stones with engraved poetry, and a central stone with a list of the WWII Japanese internment camps. Around the base of the center stone the ground is made with jagged flagstones representing the broken dreams of people who were interned. Two tall bronze pillars at the Naito Parkway entrance are called, “Song of Innocence – Songs of Experience.” 100 cherry blossom trees were gifted to the Plaza in 1990.
The Japanese American community in Portland has a rich history dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to the region’s development through small businesses, cultural institutions, and civic engagement. The internment of Japanese Americans during WWII was a tragic chapter, and the plaza acts as a reminder of this history, promoting reflection and reconciliation.
The Plaza stands as a testament to resilience, remembrance, and cultural pride, playing an important role in preserving the history of Japanese Americans in Oregon and the United States.
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Discussion Questions:
Ask the students to stand on the curved line separating the uniform pattern of paving stones from the irregular placed stones. What does the different pattern of stone work represent? Regular order of life vs. chaos. Notice how the designer used art to show history.
Have students read some of the poetry.
Why is it important to remember what happened to the Japanese Americans during WWII?
How does walking among the stones help tell a story?
Vocabulary: memorial, sculpture, bronze, poetry, internment camp, reconciliation
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Multicultural Studies, Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.17. Use a variety of historical sources including artifacts, pictures and documents to identify factual evidence. Social Science Analysis
Visual Arts.5.PR2.3 Compare and contrast how art exhibited in and outside of school in museums, galleries, and other venues, including virtual spaces, contributes to the community. Presenting-Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Visual Arts.8.RE2.3 Interpret art by identifying the mood suggested by a work of art and describing relevant subject matter and basic art elements. Responding-Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
Visual Arts9.RE3.3 Use art vocabulary to express preferences about an artwork. Responding-Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Visual Arts.10.CO1.3 Identify and show how artwork forms meanings, situations and/or culture (e.g. popular culture, online and local experiences) Connecting artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context, to deepen understanding.