Evergreen Cemetery is a place of shared history and cultural heritage. “Memorable Moments: Japanese Storytelling Comes to Life at Evergreen Cemetery,” to be held Saturday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the rich tapestry of the Japanese American community in Boyle Heights.
“Japanese storytelling, a bridge between our past, present, and future, breathes life into our ancestors’ wisdom and experiences,” Boyle Heights
Community Partners said in a statement. “With its rich history and significant contributions, the Japanese community in Boyle Heights has shaped the cultural landscape we cherish today.
“Commemorating our ancestors at Evergreen Cemetery is a powerful act of remembrance, made even more significant by the collective narrative we all contribute to. The event is an invitation to honor the past and shape the future together.
“We currently have time for two additional participants, so If you are interested in sharing your Issei, Nisei, Sansei, or Yonsei family history, please email us on or before Thursday, 29th August, 5 p.m. at [email protected].
“Join us in this important endeavor to ensure that our cultural heritage continues to thrive for future generations.”
The storytelling will begin at the Garden of the Pines, dedicated to the memory of the Issei pioneers on Nov. 27, 1966, with Patti Daly sharing the Yamate family history of her father, grandparents, and uncle. She lived on Second Street just east of Boyle Avenue in Boyle Heights.
The second presenter will be Michael Okamura, who will share the story of his grandparents, Toshiyuki and Chiharu Okamura. They were pre-war Boyle Heights residents. His late father and 93-year-old uncle were born in Boyle Heights, and his grandparents had a pre-war small business, Toyo Florist & Nursery, on North San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo.
After being released from Manzanar, they relocated to Chicago for nearly ten years. They then returned to East Los Angeles in the late 1950s and had a small cleaners business on Brooklyn Avenue between Record
Avenue and Gage Avenue. They lived one block north on Dozier Street.
The cemetery is located at 204 N. Evergreen Ave. Attendees are asked to arrive between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. to sign in before the storytelling begins promptly at 10 a.m. Be sure to use the restroom beforehand, as no restrooms will be available.
Due to the warm climate and out-door conditions, wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes, boots or sneakers, and light summer clothing. Remember to apply sunscreen and consider wearing a hat. You will be walking on the graveyard terrain, which is uneven, so be extremely careful, as Boyle Heights Community Partners and Evergreen Cemetery are liable for any injuries.
Attendees are asked to refrain from videotaping or recording during the event. However, you are free to take photos.
Wearing a mask is optional. If you feel unwell or have tested positive for COVID-19, be sure to use your better judgment and avoid attending.
Parking: Please do not use the cemeteries’ parking spaces. As you enter, the event will be at the right-hand entrance pathway. Park as close to the curve as possible. There will be a sign-in table and merchandise will be available for sale (cash is preferred).
For more information, email [email protected] or visit: https://boyleheightscommunitypartners.com/