Tōyō Miyatake
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Tōyō Miyatake (1896 - 1979) was a Japanese-American photographer, best known for his photographs documenting the Japanese internment at Manzanar during WWII.
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[edit] Life
Miyatake was born in Kagawa, Shikoku in Japan in 1896. In 1909 he migrated to the United States to join his father. He settled in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles, California.
With an interest in arts - most notably, photography - Miyatake began associating with the local arts community. In 1923 he purchased his photo studio. Miyatake encouraged fellow photographer Edward Weston to exhibit his work and Miyatake is credited as giving Weston his first gallery showing.
At the time Miyatake met his future wife, it was his brother that was courting her. He began spending time with her under the guise that he was using her as a model. His brother was crushed and it is said that he "died of a broken heart" at an early age.
Before WWII, Miyatake's photography gained a moderate degree of notoriety, winning awards and photographing various personalities.
After the war, the family returned to Los Angeles, where their home was entrusted to some of their caucasian friends during the internment. Unlike many families who lost their homes, the Miyatake's were able to resume their life and also provided shelter to a few less-fortunate internees and their families. In post-war Little Tokyo, many residents were unable to afford Miyatake's services and some opted instead to barter goods to have him photograph weddings and portraits. With his wife Hiro running the front office, she once negotiated his services for a Steinway Piano and another time, she negotiated for a litter of poodles.
After the passing of his wife, Hiro, in 1971, Miyatake moved from his home on Third Street in East Los Angeles to live in neighboring Monterey Park, with his daughter and her family.
He remained active in the studio throughout this period. In the early morning, Miyatake could be seen walking around Monterey Highlands Elementary School for exercise. The last image he captured on film was taken at this park. The film was discovered and processed after his death.
Before his death in 1979, Miyatake and Ansel Adams produced a book together called Two Views of Manzanar, which is a compilation of both of their photographs during the internment.
[edit] Offspring
All of Miyatake's children were involved in photography and the family business. Archie, the eldest son, ran the family studio after Tōyō's passing in 1979. Robert Miyatake worked in the studio and later opened his own photographic color lab in South Pasadena, California. Richard (Tabo) worked in the family studio as well and left to work in photographic production. Youngest child and only daughter, Minnie, also worked in the studio performing clerical and business-related duties. A handful of Miyatake's grandchildren continue the tradition to this day.
[edit] Toyo Miyatake Studio
The Toyo Miyatake Studio moved to San Gabriel, California in 1985, where it still operates today. The studio is now managed by grandson, Alan Miyatake.
[edit] Miscellaneous
One of Miyatake's prized possessions was his white 1957 Ford Thunderbird, which is now in the possession of his youngest grandson, Mark Takahashi.
Miyatake was easily recognizable in Little Tokyo, wearing his trademark black beret and bowtie. In the TV movie Farewell to Manzanar, actor Pat Morita portrayed Zenahiro, a character based on Miyatake.
