Day of Remembrance: Honoring the Legacy of Japanese-Americans at Pike Place Market

On February 19, we observe the Day of Remembrance—a solemn reflection on one of the darkest chapters in American history. On this day in 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese-Americans. Among those affected were the Japanese-American farmers and vendors who had been an integral part of Pike Place Market since its earliest days.

A Community Built on Perseverance

From the Market’s founding in 1907, Japanese-American farmers played a critical role in its success. Despite facing exclusionary laws and racial discrimination, these hardworking families cultivated rich farmland throughout the Puget Sound region and brought their produce to Seattle’s public market. By the 1920s and 1930s, they comprised the majority of farmers selling at Pike Place Market, bringing fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers that nourished Seattle families. They were known for their expertise in small plot farming that offered affordable prices and signature calligraphy displays in product signage.

Photo Credit: Asahel Curtis, Washington State Historical Society, 1926 Japanese Producers

These farmers and their families were more than vendors—they were community members, deeply woven into the daily rhythm of the Market. They passed down knowledge of the land from generation to generation, perfecting the art of growing and selling. Their presence helped define the character of Pike Place Market, making it a place where diverse cultures came together in the shared pursuit of honest work and good food.

The Forced Removal of Japanese-Americans

In the spring of 1942, everything changed. With the signing of Executive Order 9066, Japanese residents – many wearing buttons that declared, “I am an American” – were taken away to hastily constructed incarceration camps. They lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods—forced to abandon the Market they had helped build and made thrive.

Empty Daystalls following Japanese incarceration, 1942

As the farmers left, their stalls sat empty. The once-thriving heartbeat of the Market was silenced. Their forced imprisonment decimated the Market. The number of permits for all farmers selling at the Market fell from 515 in 1939 to 196 in 1943. By 1949, the number had plummeted to 53. Seattle lost not only its farmers but also a part of its soul. Many Market customers and fellow vendors were devastated, but few could stop the relentless tide of wartime hysteria.

For years, the families endured hardship behind barbed wire, many held at the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho. Some never returned to Seattle, forced to rebuild their lives elsewhere. Others, with extraordinary resilience, came back after the war, only to find their farms taken and their businesses gone.

An empty stall on Pike Place in 1942. (Seattle Times)

The Long Road Back

Despite this injustice, the Japanese-American community showed immense strength. Slowly, some families returned to Pike Place Market, reviving the tradition of farming and selling that had been so cruelly interrupted. Over the decades, Japanese-American farmers once again became a cherished part of the Market, reclaiming a space that had always been theirs.

Today, as you walk through Pike Place Market, you witness the enduring legacy of our resilient farmers. It’s in the vibrant bouquets of fresh flowers, many cultivated by Japanese-American families who persevered despite hardship, and by Hmong farmers who found refuge and built new roots after the Vietnam War. You taste it in the produce, grown with the same care and dedication as generations before them. You see it in the talented handmade artisans of our Craft Market, crafting elegant art, jewelry, apparel, and more. Their perseverance is woven into the very fabric of the Market.

Remembering, Honoring, and Moving Forward

Day of Remembrance is not just about looking back—it is about recognizing the ongoing work of justice and reconciliation. It is about acknowledging the profound loss endured by the Japanese-American community and ensuring that history is never forgotten.

At Pike Place Market, we honor the contributions of these farmers, families, and business owners who, despite everything, helped shape this place into what it is today. Their story is one of endurance, of rebuilding after devastation, and of holding onto a legacy that could never be erased.

As we walk these historic streets, let us remember: The Market is more than a place of commerce—it is a place of memory, resilience, and community. It honors its history while moving forward in unity, continuously growing to meet the evolving needs of the businesses, residents, and neighbors it serves.

Courtesy of the Akizuki Family Collection

A Commitment to Remember

Pike Place Market and the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA) are committed to honoring Day of Remembrance every year. We recognize the lasting impact of Executive Order 9066 on our community and will continue to tell these stories, support our Japanese-American farmers and vendors, and ensure that the Market remains a place of inclusivity, history, and strength.

“Song of the Farmers,” a panel in “Song of the Earth,” by Aki Sogabe

At the entrance to the Market, Song of the Earth, a five-panel mural, stands as a lasting tribute to this history. These panels tell the story of Japanese-American farmers at Pike Place Market, their forced removal during World War II, and the devastating impact internment had on longtime Market families. More than just artwork, this mural is a reminder of the injustices they endured. We remain dedicated to ensuring that Pike Place Market is a place where all communities feel seen, valued, and supported.

Share Your Story

We know that the legacy of Japanese-Americans at Pike Place Market lives on in the stories of families, neighbors, and longtime customers. We invite our community to share their memories—whether passed down through generations or personal experiences at the Market. If you or your family have a connection to this history, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can continue to honor and preserve the history of those who made the Market what it is today.