TADAIMA: I'm Home

Bringing Seattle’s Boys’ and Girls’ Day Dolls Home

Opening February 14, 2026

MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry)

I have spent 2025 curating an exhibit and creating a commissioned painting and community artwork display that will be on view February 14 to April 26, 2026. 

Image: Detail of Tadaima.

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About the exhibit:

After more than 80 years, a treasured collection returns “home” to Seattle’s Japanese American community. In 1942 dozens of traditional Boys’ and Girls’ Day dolls were entrusted to Bailey Gatzert Elementary School by Japanese American families facing forced incarceration. Most were never reclaimed after the war. Artist Miya Sukune uses recent research in MOHAI’s collection, as well as interviews with Japanese American survivors and their descendants, to create an installation called “Tadaima,” meaning “I’m home.”

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Meet the Artist:

Saturday, February 14, 1 pm at MOHAI

A brief talk by artist and curator Miya Sukune followed by exhibit viewing.  Along with the dolls, her accompanying commissioned painting and community artwork display will be on view.

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Remember (Day of Exile 1941)

Public art memorial sculpture to be installed February 2026 at Ober Park, Vashon. 

Unveiling event May 2026.

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Thank you to the Sakai and Matsuda families for sharing their stories.

Support provided by T-Mobile Hometown Grant, Friends of Mukai, Vashon-Maury Heritage Museum and Vashon Park District.