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Deep Dive: Toyo's Camera (2009)

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Toyo's Camera
Toyo's Camera focuses on Toyo Miyatake, a Japanese American photographer who smuggled a camera lens into an internment camp during World War II. Miyatake, an issei immigrant and owner of a photo shop in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo, used his makeshift camera to capture the harsh realities of life in the camps. Through collaboration with fellow craftsmen, he documented not only the dire conditions but also the spirit of his fellow internees, many of whom were American citizens serving in the military abroad. The film emphasizes Miyatake's belief in the importance of recording history to prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future. His statement, "It is my duty to record the facts, as a photographer, so that this kind of thing should never happen again," reflects the film's commitment to preserving the memories and experiences of those interned, against the backdrop of wartime prejudice and discrimination.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Toyo Miyatake, a pioneering Japanese American photographer.
  • •See the realities of life in World War II internment camps.
  • •Find out how art was used to document injustice.

Did You Know

•Toyo Miyatake was an issei photographer from Los Angeles.
•Miyatake built a camera using a smuggled lens in the internment camp.
•Many internees were American citizens who fought for the U.S. overseas.

Perfect For

Japanese American historyWorld War II studiesPhotography enthusiasts