Dear Editor,
I appreciate the Pacific Citizen article (P.C.’s Oct. 8-21, 2021, issue, “Topaz Museum Hits a Rocky Patch”) for bringing attention to the Wakasa murder and (literal) coverup. My urgent concern is regarding the proper care and conservation of the stone monument itself and the unvarnished truth about [James Hatsuaki Wakasa’s] murder, the government coverup and the almost miraculous discovery of the stone due to the research Nancy Ukai did in the National Archives. She found the map, and the two archeologists, on their own, went and spotted the stone, just barely showing above the ground.
It could have been covered up with dirt to hide it from vandalism and then excavated properly.
It’s too late for a proper excavation, but now — is it being properly conserved? There are photos showing the stone outside in a courtyard, just having been rained on. It is now snowing in Utah, where the harsh winters are notorious in Topaz legend — snow and way-below-freezing winters. Moisture can get into the stone, then freeze, after which the stone cracks where the water entered.
In her own words, Jane (Beckwith) has gone from being an avid collector to heading a museum. And heading a museum is not what she is trained to do. This important artifact in Japanese American history deserves to be in a location where it will be held in a place of honor and where it can be used as an instrument of education and enlightenment, like the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.
I have not spoken to anyone there, but they are about to reinstall the exhibitions, and the stone monument could be given a place of honor. The Topaz Museum could graciously donate the Wakasa Stone, and the Takahashi Foundation would pay for its safe transportation.
The memorial stone is a major discovery, a story that exemplifies the daily threat of death that our families lived under. Generational trauma and stress comes from this kind of story that our families tried to protect us from by silently grieving to themselves. Now, the stories can be told.
So, for me, my interest is in the history and the legacy and the memorial stone itself and the preservation of the Topaz site, going forward. History is written by the victors. I want Japanese Americans to write the history of Japanese Americans. Please tell your readers to keep a look out at the Wakasamemorial.org website and Facebook and Instagram pages for the most up-to-date information.
With respect,
Masako Takahashi,
Topaz Survivor
