Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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“Kagoshima 9066 Westridge,” cowritten by Frank Sata and Naomi Hirahara, traces the life of Sata’s father, J.T. Sata, through his photographs, sketches, paintings, and sculptures. A man committed to a life of art—not necessarily as a profession—J.T. emigrated to America from Kagoshima in 1918. In Los Angeles, he was active with the Issei photo community while working odd jobs. During World War II, J.T., his wife Yoshie, and Frank were incarcerated at Santa Anita Assembly Center and the concentration camps in Jerome, Arkansas; and Gila River, Arizona. “Kagoshima 9066 Westridge” includes artwork completed in all three detention centers as well as candid snapshots J.T. took after World War II on the campus of Westridge, an exclusive girls’ school in Pasadena, where he worked as a janitor until his retirement.

During this program on October 10, 2020, Frank Sata, Bryan Takeda (Nikkei Federation), Naomi Hirahara, and staff from the Arcadia Public Library and JANM came together virtually to discuss J.T. Sata’s life, legacy, and story.

“Kagoshima 9066 Westridge” is available for purchase from the JANM Store: janmstore.com/products/kagoshima-9066-westridge

This project was fulfilled with support from the California Civil Liberties Public Education Grant, a program of the California State Library, and is in partnership with the Arcadia Public Library.

Arcadia Public Library: arcadiaca.gov/enrich/arcadia_public_library/gilb_museum_of_arcadia_heritage/collections___research.php

Find out about more upcoming virtual programs from JANM:
janm.org/events/virtual

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Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM's members and donors. Become a member (janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs and exhibitions like these: janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!

Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org