In many respects, the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage on April 25, 2015, at the Manzanar National Historic Site, was a resounding success, enjoyed by approximately 1,500 participants.
Whether it was the booming sounds of UCLA Kyodo Taiko, the moving, insightful words of speakers Pat Sakamoto, Hatsuko Mary Higuchi, Julia Teranishi, Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey, and keynote speaker Dr. Satsuki Ina, the always inspirational words of Rev. Paul Nakamura, or the always powerful, moving interfaith service, this year’s Pilgrimage was memorable for so many reasons.
Our photo essay from our professional photographers, Mark Kirchner and Geri Ferguson, is forthcoming. But for now, here are 68 photos capturing some of the sights from the Pilgrimage. Also, if you did not get a copy of our printed program from the event, or if you couldn’t make it to the Pilgrimage this year, you can download the 36-page program at:
46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage – Printed Program (4.6 MB; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader software)
LEAD PHOTO: Banners representing America’s World War II concentration camps are shown here during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, April 25, 2015, Manzanar National Historic Site. Photo: Gann Matsuda/Manzanar Committee.
46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage
68 photos by Gann Matsuda; ©2015 Manzanar Committee. All rights reserved. Click on any photo to view a larger image, and to scroll/click through the gallery.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko preparing for their first song at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performed at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performed at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performed at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performed at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Kizuna Executive Director Craig Ishii served as emcee during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Reservation Tribal Elder Beverly Newell welcomed participants on behalf of the Native peoples who originally lived at Manzanar.
UCSD Nikkei Student Union member Julia Teranishi spoke at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, offering a perspective from the younger generation.
UCSD Nikkei Student Union member Julia Teranishi spoke at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, offering a perspective from the younger generation.
Kizuna Executive Director Craig Ishii served as emcee during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto told her family’s story during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage
Former Poston incarceree Hatsuko Mary Higuchi told her family’s story during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
2015 Sue Kunitomi Embrey Legacy Award recipient Rev. Paul Nakamura.
2015 Sue Kunitomi Embrey Legacy Award recipient Rev. Paul Nakamura.
2015 Sue Kunitomi Embrey Legacy Award recipient Rev. Paul Nakamura, shown here with his wife, Kikuno (right). Kerry Cababa (left) of the Manzanar Committee is also shown here.
2015 Sue Kunitomi Embrey Legacy Award recipient Rev. Paul Nakamura, shown here with his wife, Kikuno right). Kerry Cababa and Bruce Embrey (left) of the Manzanar Committee are also shown here.
2015 Sue Kunitomi Embrey Legacy Award recipient Rev. Paul Nakamura (second from left), shown here with his wife, Kikuno (second from right). Kerry Cababa (left) and Bruce Embrey (right) of the Manzanar Committee are also shown here.
Former Manzanar incarceree Wilbur Sato recites a poem he wrote, honoring incarcerees from Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Manzanar Committee member Jonathan Lee sings, “Shina na yoru,” a song that was very popular in the camps during World War II.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performing their signature song, “Encore,” during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performing their signature song, “Encore,” during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performing their signature song, “Encore,” during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performing their signature song, “Encore,” during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performing their signature song, “Encore,” during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performing their signature song, “Encore,” during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
UCLA Kyodo Taiko performing their signature song, “Encore,” during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
A group shot of UCLA Kyodo Taiko after their performance at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
A group shot of UCLA Kyodo Taiko after their performance at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Keynote speaker Dr. Satsuki Ina
Keynote speaker Dr. Satsuki Ina
Members of the Florin JACL and CAIR-Sacramento Valley hold up signs that read, “Watashi wa Manzanar” (I am Manzanar) at the conclusion of Dr. Satsuki Ina’s keynote speech at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Members of the Florin JACL and CAIR-Sacramento Valley hold up signs that read, “Watashi wa Manzanar” (I am Manzanar) at the conclusion of Dr. Satsuki Ina’s keynote speech at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Members of the Florin JACL and CAIR-Sacramento Valley hold up signs that read, “Watashi wa Manzanar” (I am Manzanar) at the conclusion of Dr. Satsuki Ina’s keynote speech at the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair, Bruce Embrey, shown here delivering his closing remarks during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Manzanar Committee Co-Chair, Bruce Embrey, shown here delivering his closing remarks during the 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Monica Embrey calling out the name of each camp and its peak population during the Roll Call of the Camps.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Melany Okafuji-Lucia carried the Amache banner.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Steve Nagano carried the Crystal City banner.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Don Hata carried the Gila River banner.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. David Fujioka carried the Heart Mountain banner.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Tomoko Brooks and Manzanar Committee member Kanji Sahara carried the Jerome banner.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Former Manzanar incarceree and Manzanar Committee member Brian Maeda carried the Manzanar banner.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Former Poston incarceree Hatsuko Mary Higuchi carried the Poston banner.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Carrying the Minidoka banner is Michael Okamura.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Carrying the Rohwer (with some help) is Ruth Beadles.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Carrying the Topaz banner is Dave Goto.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage. Carrying the Tule Lake banner is Nancy Oda (left, obscured) and Ernie Jane Nishi (right).
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, which was carried this year by Bill Shishima, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Banners representing all of the American concentration camps during World War II, the Crystal City Internment Camp, and a banner honoring the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team/Military Intelligence Service, are part of each year’s Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. That’s Manzanar Committee member Jenny Chomori (foreground) and long-time Pilgrimage volunteer Tomoko Brooks behind her.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. UCLA Kyodo Taiko accompanied the dancing.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. That’s Manzanar Committee member Jenny Chomori (foreground) and long-time Pilgrimage volunteer Tomoko Brooks behind her.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. Members of UCLA Kyodo Taiko are shown here.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. From left: Kathy Masaoka, Maiya Osumi, Jenni Kuida.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. UCLA Kyodo Taiko accompanied the dancing.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. That’s Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Kerry Cababa (foreground).
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Kristen Luetkemeier is shown here.
Ondo dancing marks the traditional conclusion of the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage. Manzanar National Historic Site Ranger Kristen Luetkemeier is shown here.
News, Speeches, Reflections and Photos From The 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage/2015 Manzanar At Dusk
- Rev. Paul Nakamura:“A Ministry Bound With The Quest For Justice And Civil Rights For All” – Part 1
- Rev. Paul Nakamura: “A Ministry Bound With The Quest For Justice And Civil Rights For All” – Part 2
- Manzanar Committee’s Bruce Embrey At 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage: “Remembering Is Not Passive. We Must Act On Our Memories”
- Watashi wa Manzanar! Continuing Our Civil Rights Legacy
- Kodomo No Tame Ni, Please! For The Sake Of The Children And Grandchildren, We Need To Know!
- Hearing Stories About The Japanese American Incarceration Opens Doors To New Perspectives
- A Family Ripped Apart Forever By The Infamous Loyalty Questionnaire
- The View From Manzanar
- 2015 Manzanar At Dusk – In Photos
- 46th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage – Official Photo Essay
- My First Manzanar Pilgrimage
- The Pain Of Unjust Incarceration Transcends Generations, Ethnicity
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