Film by Claudia Katayanagi
The Wakasa Spirit Stone honors eight men killed in U.S. concentration camps, transforming silence into remembrance and resistance.
Originally built by friends of James Wakasa and buried in secret by the Issei after the War Department and War Relocation Authority ordered its destruction, the stone was discovered decades later by archaeologists Mary Farrell and Jeff Burton, guided by a map uncovered by Nancy Ukai.
Now reimagined as a traveling washi paper sculpture made by survivors and descendants, the Wakasa Spirit Stone returns to the sites where these men were killed, ensuring their stories live on.
As we await a response from the Topaz Museum Board on our proposal to preserve the original memorial site and stone, we continue to carry forward the legacy of the Wakasa monument—shedding light on the lives lost behind barbed wire and the histories once buried.
In Memoriam: Akemi Yamane Ina
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Akemi Yamane Ina on Sunday, May 25, 2025. A founding member of the Wakasa Memorial Committee, Akemi was a gifted artist and a fierce advocate for remembrance and justice. Her beautifully painted paper cranes—each one telling a story of resilience, history, and hope—became symbols of healing and solidarity for many communities.
Akemi’s hands helped create the Wakasa Spirit Stone, and her creative energy was a driving force in shaping its vision and direction. Her spirit, artistry, and unwavering dedication to honoring those who came before us will continue to inspire our work.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who were touched by her presence, her art, and her lifelong commitment to truth and healing.
Upcoming Event | The Wakasa Spirit Stone at Changing Perspectives
Chizu Omori is organizing an upcoming summer 2025 conference titled “Changing Perspectives on Japanese American Incarceration.” The event will occur from June 21 to June 22, 2025, in Oakland, California, at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. To learn more about the conference and register, visit https://www.jampilgrimages.org/changing-perspectives.
The Wakasa Spirit Stone was made by the hands of survivors and descendants of the concentration camps.
The Wakasa stone “was being made to witness and endure something beyond its control. It was humiliated. . .Since its removal, it had inspired distress, re-division. It seemed that another stone was warranted, a second stone to console the spirit of the first.”
— BRANDON SHIMODA
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