Marking a poignant chapter in history, the Chandler Museum invites the public to a day of remembrance for the 125,284 individuals of Japanese ancestry incarcerated during World War II. In collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum, the event on Nov. 1 will highlight the Ireichō: Book of Names, a mobile monument dedicated to honoring each person affected by internment.
The day's events, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 5 p.m., are free to all attendees. Scheduled performances include a stirring Taiko drumming by Ken Koshio and insightful lectures such as Adrian Mulligan's exploration of resilience at the Gila River, and Kathy Nakagawa's recounting of the Japanese American flower farms in Phoenix. Meanwhile, visitors having an opportunity to stamp a name in the Ireichō will find the experience deeply personal yet contributing to the collective memorial.
This engagement with history is more than a static exhibition. Duncan Ryuken Williams, founder of the Irei Project and director of the USC Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture, emphasized the Ireichō's significance in a statement, "Each individual act of stamping a name in the Ireichō becomes part of this ever-growing monument." Williams continued by noting the importance of bringing the book to communities nationwide to honor the incarcerees.
Appointments for the book stamping can be made online, with walk-ins accommodated as possible. Detailed information about the day’s full roster of lectures and presentations can also be found on the museum’s website.
The Ireichō event aligns with Chandler Museum's ongoing exhibition "Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River", which is set to run through Jan. 25, 2026. The museum, located at 300 S Chandler Village Drive, operates Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m., closed on Mondays. For further details on the event or other museum offerings, you can visit Chandler Museum or reach out to media contact Rebecca Vega at 480-782-2717.
