SACRAMENTO, Calif — A mural of capturing the history and culture of Sacramento's Japantown was celebrated Wednesday afternoon.
The mural was designed by artist Karen Tsugawa, who stylized the mural based off of historical photos and hanafuda playing cards.
The mural's panels showcased the people and places from Sacramento Japantown, and is also nestled in the heart of where Japantown used to be. Among the other notable features is the sakura tree.
"Sacramento's Japanese nickname was sakura-mento," said Tsugawa.
The sakura theme is represented a number of times across the mural in different ways. Tsugawa said the calligraphy seen at the top also translates to "sakura capitol" as well.
“This is personally really significant to me. It’s the first piece on my personal history,” said Tsugawa.
While she didn't know much about her own history prior to starting the project, she learned more about it as she dove into research for it.
Michelle Huey was among the people at the ribbon cutting for the mural. She said she didn't even know Japantown existed until recently.
"To have this mural, right where it (Japantown) used to be is so meaningful to me, and I hope other Japanese Americans see it and then other community members see it and are reminded and learn about Japantown," said Huey.
She said her family owned a hotel in the middle of Japantown before they were sent to internment camps in World War II. They established another hotel, but she said it was destroyed through redevelopment.
According to the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento had the fourth largest Japantown community on the West Coast. Between 1880 and 1940, Japanese Americans transformed their community into a cultural center with businesses and entertainment. However, World War II and urban redevelopment forced it to rebuild.
The mural can be seen at 4th and Capitol Mall.
Photos: New mural being painted as a tribute to Sacramento's Japantown history
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