“She knew at the time it was important to capture what was happening,” Cynthia says. “After Topaz closed, the WRA (War Relocation Authority) came and took pictures of all of her sketches for their records. She was told not to publish them.”3
Thanks to Ella and Walter Honderich, we have two important records of daily life in Topaz.
In 1988, Daisy Satoda, organizer of the first all-Topaz reunion, wrote to Ella, inviting her to attend. “We are indeed grateful to people like Mr. Honderich and yourself who cared enough to do something to ease the injustice of impounding a whole group of innocent people which was in violation of the U.S. Constitution.”4 Several of Ella’s sketches that she had entrusted to Dave Tatsuno would be displayed at the reunion. These sketches were subsequently donated to the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Los Angeles with Ella’s blessing.
Ella died in 1999, Walter in 1985.
Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing your story about your grandmother. She was very good at portraying life in Topaz; her artistry was superb. Hope her other artwork can be found somewhere.
I was 7, going on 8, the year we were interned. I do remember some things, but not all. So every artwork/photos help to bring back some memory of that era.
In the meantime, Happy New Year and all the best for 2024. — jun, san francisco, ca
Thank you for the kind words Jun. I appreciate you reading and commenting on the story and am happy to have been able to share with the help of Topaz Stories.
My mother was just a baby and my grandparents have past. It’s so nice to hear from someone that experienced it first hand. It’s so important to remember, understand and share so it never happens again.
Have a wonderful New Year-
Cynthia, this is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your and your family’s experience and relationship with the Topaz internment camps. Your daughters look very happy to be at this amazing exhibit.