Emerging Radiance: The Art of a Lasting Legacy

When Meta commissioned local artist Michelle Kumata to create an office mural, she saw an opportunity to uncover and share a piece of Bellevue’s overlooked history. Few people know about the Japanese American farmers who once cultivated the Eastside, and Kumata felt their stories deserved broader recognition. Through partnership with the Eastside Heritage Center and a focus on the survivors of incarceration, she began to paint a picture through the lens of oral histories, photographs, and conversations with descendants of farmers. Yet, the piece was off-limits to anyone unaffiliated with Meta. Some of the descendants expressed upset that their history was reserved for “employees only” and they could not view it themselves. 

Meta recognized the importance of a public-facing piece and sprung into action. Thus, Emerging Radiance was born. In partnership with Tani Ikeda and over 60 other technicians, artists, and community members, this interactive art installation was created as tribute to those who were once a pillar of Bellevue's community and industry. 

Before WWII, 300 Japanese American families lived in Bellevue and dominated the agricultural workforce. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Executive Order 9066, over 125,000 Americans of Japanese descent were sent to internment camps. When they returned home in scarce numbers, they found their homes and farms vandalized and little support from realtors to help them buy. Yet some persevered, determined to continue making a name for themselves on the Eastside. Emerging Radiance tells the story of those survivors and their experience of being stripped of their rights and homes.

The structure itself is shaped as a farmhouse, with larger-than-life portraits of real Japanese American farmers painted on all four sides. There are no doors — a deliberate choice by Kumata to symbolize the silence and isolation endured by so many survivors. To her, the structure is a vessel to hold the trauma. These emotions are close to Kumata's heart as a direct descendent of these farmers, who witnessed the culture of silence.

“The people who survived didn’t want their children to deal with the same racism and be targeted, so they were taught to be quiet and not stand out,” said Kumata. 

Vibrant shades of reds, yellows, and blues permeate the piece. The background depicts a night sky, representing the sadness and sorrow felt by survivors of incarceration. Yet, hidden among the stars, lie strawberries — one of the primary crops grown by Japanese American farmers — serving as a quiet but persistent legacy of their contributions to the land. The golds and yellows of the farmers’ skin represent the different ways they were perceived, but also call attention  to and honor them. Kumata explained that this is indicative of the ability to take power from prejudice and be proud of their heritage.

Emerging Radiance has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response, particularly from the Japanese American community. Its opening reception at the Bellevue Library was a poignant moment, with elders gathering to witness their history acknowledged and honored publicly. The location itself holds significance, as the library stands directly atop land once farmed by Japanese Americans. Kumata emphasized the importance of having it remain publicly accessible.

“When you experience this art as a group, it stems a conversation that connects the past with the present," Kumata said. "What happened 82 years ago is still happening now – we need to be aware of that and prevent it.” 

The interactive nature of Emerging Radiance deepens its emotional impact. Visitors can scan QR codes to hear first-person accounts from Bellevue farmers Toshio Ito, Rae Matsuoka Takekawa, and Mitsuko Hashiguchi, who share memories of their lives before, during, and after their incarceration. Augmented reality brings the artwork to life, creating a multisensory experience that places visitors in direct conversation with history. Ikeda, Emerging Radiance's creative director, wanted the viewer to feel that the farmers were coming alive. All of the people featured on the farmhouse have now passed, making the piece more important than ever for their familial legacies. 

This piece returns to Bellevue at a time when the community is experiencing increased awareness of the land’s history. As of 2022, in honor of the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, local public schools have implemented curriculum about this story for third graders. A public mural along the Grand Connection features strawberry flowers as a nod to Japanese American agriculture, while a tree stump at City Hall serves as a quiet but powerful reminder of the community’s deep roots. 

“This isn’t just Japanese American history — it’s American history,” the artists emphasize. The immersive nature of the installation makes history tangible in a way that textbooks cannot, offering an emotional connection that lingers long after visitors leave. 

With plans for ongoing programming and a living history recording in partnership with NPR’s StoryCorps, Emerging Radiance is more than an artwork — it’s a living, evolving conversation. The interactive art installation will remain at the Bellevue Library through 2027, with plans for it to one day find its permanent home in Bellevue. 

This blog is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.