October 7, 2026
On September 26th, Densho hosted its 30th Anniversary Gala: Legacy in Motion. For our first in-person gala since 2019, we couldn’t have asked for a more meaningful or joyful event. The evening included a musical performance by Northwest Minyo Kai, the premiere of a short documentary on the history and impact of Densho, and the presentation of the Brian Niiya Research Fellowship in honor of Brian’s retirement. Thank you to all who attended, supported, and donated in honor of this important milestone. The evening was a powerful reminder about the crucial role of community in all of our work.
Preparing For The Gala
While the Gala was scheduled for September 26th at the historic Sunset Club located in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood, Densho staff and partners were busy setting up the day before the event.
With the support of partners, volunteers, and Densho staff and board, we continued setting up the morning of the event, making final touches at all of the activity tables and ensuring we were ready for the evening.
Opening Reception
The gala began with a lively reception, and we were thrilled to see new and familiar faces. The reception featured the work of Densho’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Seraphim Hong, including a project produced during her residency.
As the evening continued, attendees enjoyed drinks and appetizers while mingling before the main program. It was amazing to see so many longtime supporters and community members, including those local to Seattle and guests traveling from afar, including from California and Hawai’i—all gathered together for this celebratory moment.
Main Program and Dinner
The main program began with a wonderful performance by Northwest Minyo Kai, a Taiko and Japanese folk music and dance group, local to Seattle.
Emcee Harold Taniguchi guided us through the rest of the night. His warm personality and humor ensured that there was never a dull moment.
As dinner commenced, we unveiled the premiere of a new short documentary film about Densho, created by filmmaker Jason Jakaitis. We heard from University of Washington’s Dean Daryl Maeda, Densho Founding Executive Director Tom Ikeda, and Densho Executive Director Naomi Ostwald Kawamura. A major highlight of the event was honoring Densho’s retiring Content Director, Brian Niiya.
After Tom recounted Brian’s many accomplishments and contributions to Densho, Naomi announced the Brian Niiya Research Fellowship, a new award created to honor Brian’s legacy and remarkable contributions to Japanese American incarceration history. Topping off the celebration, we were able to surprise Brian with one final gift: an appearance from his daughter May Niiya, who had flown from New York to surprise her father and to lead a toast in honor of his retirement.
Thank you!
This special event was made possible with the support of our staff, board, advisors, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters. We are immensely grateful to our community of supporters who continue to invest in Densho and our mission. Your generosity not only honors Densho’s past thirty years but also helps make the next thirty possible. With your support, we can continue preserving critical historical materials, reach new audiences, and invest in the next generation of leaders and scholars. We look forward to the next time we have the opportunity to connect with you, whether in person or virtually!
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If you’d like to continue the celebration of Densho’s 30th Anniversary, please join us online on October 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM PT for our virtual celebration and fundraiser, Stories that Endure: 30 Years in Community. This virtual celebration and fundraiser will continue to honor Densho’s legacy and envision its future. Learn more about this program and register here.
Thank you again for celebrating this milestone with us and, more importantly, for being part of Densho’s story.
