Alan Miyatake holding the original box camera his grandfather, Toyo, made in Manzanar (Photo – Cheryl Cabot)

The Life of Toyo Miyatake, photographer of Manzanar Internment Camp, will be presented by his grandson, Alan Miyatake.

By Cheryl Cabot

Alan Miyatake, grandson of Toyo Miyatake who famously photographed the Manzanar Interment camp, will give a presentation about the incredible life and photographs of Toyo at Pasadena’s Lamanda Park Library, 140 S. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, on March 2, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Toyo and his family were forced from their home and photography studio in Boyle Heights, and transferred to the Manzanar Internment Camp in Owens Valley, California. He entrusted his home and studio to Caucasian friends in his absence.

Against the rules, Toyo snuck in photography equipment and made a camera out of a wooden box. He had film smuggled in by a friend delivering supplies to the camp. Even though his camera was confiscated by the director of the camp several times, Toyo continued to take photographs so he could film “this injustice” (Manzamar).

Eventually, Toyo and the camp director came to an understanding and Toyo became the ‘unofficial’ photographer, allowing him to provide the most comprehensive photographic history of the camp.

This and other stories will be told by Alan, along with photographs taken by Toyo’s box camera, at the Lamanda Park Library presentation on March 2. There will be a Q & A following Alan’s talk.

Date/Time
03/02/2024
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Lamanda Park Branch - Pasadena Library

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