Year of the Horse Ema* Topaz oral histories

oral histories

made just the way you are

Attorney General Francis Biddle issued a warrant to “take into custody all Japanese” classified as potential national security threats

Arai is forced to relive the horrific incident that he’s concealed for more than fifty years

me pairs photographs and statements from the original series (many before never published) with contemporary portraits of the same Hapa individuals and newly written statements

Year of the Horse Ema* Topaz oral historiesEma, or picture horse plaques, are a common sight at Japanese shrines, where visitors write wishes and hang them as offerings. The tradition began with pilgrims donating horses to the gods, later replaced by wooden plaques featuring horse images. Over time, various designs appeared, but the custom of writing hopes on the back remains. To celebrate 2026the Year of the Horsewere introducing a special museum ema featuring Ridge Hiranos zodiac