The Japanese American National Museum is set to present an exciting new exhibition titled “Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community,” from July 31 to November 12 at Art Center College of Design’s Peter and Merle Mullin Gallery in Pasadena.
This exhibition, curated by cultural scholar and writer Oliver Wang, will highlight the significant contributions of Japanese Americans to the car culture in Southern California.
Alongside the exhibition, a companion book titled “Cruising J-Town: Japanese American Car Culture in Los Angeles” by Wang will be released on August 5, published by Angel City Press at Los Angeles Public Library.
Wang’s book explores the intertwined history of the Japanese American community and the automobile, dating back to the early days of the car.
Through previously untold stories, Wang aims to illustrate how this dynamic community has utilized cars as a means of expressing creativity, chasing dreams, and seeking freedom.
In the book’s introduction, Wang reflects on his upbringing in the San Gabriel Valley and reveals that he did not initially consider himself a car enthusiast.
Despite this, he became intrigued by the phenomenon of young Asian Americans customizing their cars and engaging in street racing during his high school years.
His academic pursuits in Asian American Studies further piqued his interest in how this community has engaged with popular culture over the years.
Wang recalls that by the 2000s, articles had begun to appear discussing the Asian American presence in the import car scene, yet there was a lack of sustained scholarly focus on the subject.
Frustrated by the absence of comprehensive literature, a conversation with a friend in 2016 prompted him to consider writing the book himself.
Wang’s friend challenged him, pointing out that if he felt passionate about the topic, he should take the initiative to explore it.
Spurred by this motivation and the encouragement of his wife Sharon Mizota, a fourth-generation Japanese American, Wang interviewed his father-in-law, Don Mizota, a third-generation Japanese American.
He discovered that Don and his peers had started a car club called ‘kame’ in the 1950s, humorously named after the Japanese word for turtle as a nod to their slower vehicles.
This initial conversation opened the door to Wang’s exploration of the Japanese American car scene, leading him to interview others from the same generation who had engaged in similar pursuits.
As he delved deeper, Wang began to uncover the rich history of car culture within the Japanese American community, documenting stories from locations such as Mid-City and South Bay, including Gardena and Torrance.
His research eventually led to the publication of a brief article in Discover Nikkei, the museum’s newsletter, though he initially had reservations about turning his findings into a full-fledged book.
In 2018, after discussions with the museum about creating an exhibition on cars, Wang accepted the challenge, eager to share these important histories with the public.
Despite setbacks from the pandemic that delayed the project, interviews with people from diverse backgrounds in the community resumed in earnest in 2022, building a wealth of material for both the exhibition and the book.
Wang notes that the seven-year journey of collecting stories and insights yielded continuous surprises, broadening his understanding of the subject matter.
Among the most striking discoveries was the role of fish trucks in the post-WWII Japanese American community.
In the late 1940s, as many Japanese Americans returned to Los Angeles after internment, they relied on fish trucks that provided door-to-door delivery of essential Japanese food items.
These trucks filled a vital community need by offering fresh fish, rice, and other staples to those lacking access to grocery stores.
By the early 1960s, fish truck drivers organized themselves into the Los Angeles Retail Fish Association to negotiate better prices and avoid competition, showcasing a unique aspect of community solidarity.
The book, while not meant to serve as a complete history of Japanese car culture, features contributions from various writers that touch upon topics like the voluntary evacuation of Japanese Americans, the impact of WWII, the development of fish trucks, and the influence of freeway construction on displacement.
Additionally, writers explore modern themes like drift racing and the careers of Asian American auto designers.
Wang emphasizes that the book and exhibition are intended to explore the stories of people within the Japanese American community and their profound connection to cars, rather than simply focusing on brands or vehicles.
The exhibition includes five featured cars, each reflecting different themes such as speed, style, work, and community.
Among these is a 1940s Meteor hot rod previously owned by George Nakamura, a customized 1951 Mercury coupe named “Purple Reign,” and a 1973 Datsun 510 integral to the early street racing scene.
Further artifacts on display include historic race helmets, 1980s accessories, archival photographs, and jackets from various car clubs, enriching the narrative behind each showcased vehicle.
Wang expresses hope that the audience will gain a deeper appreciation of the impact Japanese Americans have had on Los Angeles’ car culture, emphasizing their often overlooked contributions over the last century.
He clarifies that while many may assume the project revolves around Japanese car brands, it is fundamentally about the experiences and narratives of a community and their relationship with cars.
In the years ahead, Wang plans to embark on various projects, including researching the cultural significance of New Order’s song “Bizarre Love Triangle” for Asian American Gen Xers and delving into inter-ethnic marriages, as well as reviving his podcast idea called “Songs for Ourselves.”
For now, the “Cruising J-Town” exhibition and book stand as vital contributions to the understanding of Japanese American history and car culture.
image source from：heysocal
