What Is the Ireichō
The “Irei: National Monument for the WWII Japanese American Incarceration” is a multi-faceted project. This Project seeks to expand and re-envision what a “monument” is through three distinct, but interlinking elements: a book of names as monument (Ireichō), an online archive as a monument (Ireizō), and sculptural installations as a monument (Ireihi).
For the first time, a comprehensive list of every person of Japanese ancestry incarcerated in the World War II camps has been compiled in the “Ireichō or Book of Names.” The idea of a book as a monument is inspired by the Japanese tradition of Kakochō (literally, “The Book of the Past”), a book of names typically placed on a Buddhist temple altar and brought out for memorial services when the names of those to be remembered are chanted.
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) first displayed the Ireichō through December 2024. The public was invited to view and acknowledge the names in the Ireichō by placing a Japanese hanko (stamp) underneath the name of each individual in the book. During 2025-2026, the goal of honoring the 125,000+ names will continue as the Ireichō goes on a national tour until every single individual is acknowledged.
Ireichō at Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
The Ireichō (The Book of Names) is going to be at Palo Alto Buddhist Temple (PABT) from June 5 through June 7, 2025, during its
national tour.
The PABT Registration requests have currently exceeded capacity, so no further reservations are available at PABT. Please visit the website https://ireizo.org/tour to find other locations for which you can request a reservation to visit and stamp the Book of Names.
Help at PABT During Signing
I would like to ask any available MVBT member to help PABT with filling out any volunteer slots. Signups are being solicited, look to Putra’s Post for availability.
Also, more information can be found at https://ireizo.org/tour/.
In Appreciation,
Julie Satake Ryu
2025 MVBT President