Who I Am

Who I Am is my ongoing personal exploration of how the forced evacuation and internment of Japanese Canadians from the West Coast during World War II has shaped our community across generations. This photographic series focuses on the descendants of those affected, reflecting on how their Japanese Canadian identity has evolved since this historical injustice, and how they define themselves as Canadians today.

The portraits in this collection are photographed from behind, creating space for individuals to present themselves on their own terms—free from preconceived biases based on appearance and free from assumptions about how “Japanese” or “Canadian” they may be. By challenging traditional portraiture, which often emphasizes facial features, these faceless images redirect attention to the subject’s surroundings. Décor, personal artifacts, and physical space become subtle reflections of identity.

Who I Am is a quiet act of reclamation—an affirmation that a community can rise above adversity and reclaim its Canadian identity. Heritage is a living, ongoing dialogue.

Each photograph is paired with text revealing the subject’s identity. The text is presented in a vertical format—graphically inspired by Japanese script but adapted to read left to right in English—symbolizing the dual cultural identity of Japanese Canadians.