13 Stones and Two Sculptues of Japanese American

13 Stones and Two Sculpture of Japanese American

There are 13 stones and two sculptures that touched my heartstrings at the Japanese American Historical Plaza. Many of the stones were engraved with short poems and the names of evacuation areas. The plaza was designed by Portland landscape architect Robert Murase. The plaza has become famous in the world.

Many-Japanese Americans have engraved the 13 stones with words about their life during the war, their family and peace. The 13 stones silently stand at the plaza. The memorial is for American people who had Japanese ancestors and for those Japanese immigrants who made their lives here. People fought for their independence, freedom, and peace and they died in the war. Many Japanese-Americans, American people, and visitors pray for the Japanese-Americans that their souls may rest in peace. In addition, 100 cherry trees are planted around the stones. The cherry blossoms are out for a short time each year. When the cherry petals fall like snowflakes, many people say, "The view is so beautiful without feeling grief and being furious about the war and discrimination." I think the13 stones and 100 cherry trees are very important for Japanese-American and American people.

The 13 stones were engraved with some the poems and the names of evacuated places. Haiku was written in both English and Japanese. The poems tells stories of Japanese-Americans because the poems are written by Japanese-Americans. Their poems tell American People about the war and peace, independence and freedom. When many visitors saw the poems, they cannot express their feelings in words because the meanings of the poems are very angry and sad. When I saw the poems, I felt impressed by two poems. One is "Our young men and women joined the army, too. They are proud to be Americans." Another is "Sure, I go to school same as you. I am an American." Many young people the same age as me joined the war because they fought as Americans for their family. I cannot believe such sad things because I did not experience the war. I have never separated from my family, I can eat enough food, and I can live enough in my life. I cannot really understand their agony of the war but I can learn about Japanese-Americans. To learn about Japanese American is very important for me. In addition, the stones which were engraved were about the internment camps. There are many areas and I already know about Poston because I read the book, Weedflower, about Sumiko and I learned about Americans.

Two sculptures stand at the plaza and the sculpture also tells us the story of Japanese-Americans. The two sculptures were engraved with pictures of Japanese-Americans. For example, it is the Japanese-American soldiers, Japanese-American families, and a girl who takes the bus to evacuate as if it was one scene of the war and evacuation. The two tell me about the story of Japanese-Americans and I felt so sad and angry about the war and discrimination. Moreover, the Japanese-American Historical Plaza has received many awards. For example, it has won national awards, one state award, four metropolitan awards and so on.

The poems, stones on which were written about the internment camps, and two scalptures were made to remind people of the story of Japanese-Americans. The 13 stones and two sculptures are very important for Japan and the U.S. Many important things for us are lost by the war.