The Stone Whisperer: Isamu Noguchi's Return to Los Angeles

Photo: Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection/Los Angeles Public Library

On a quiet morning in Little Tokyo, two ancient basalt pillars stand in silent conversation. One reaches skyward, proud and determined, while its companion rests horizontally, as if in peaceful repose. These stones, carefully chosen from the heart of Japan, tell a story that began in the city where Isamu Noguchi drew his first breath.

The stones speak of journeys—not just their own voyage across the Pacific, but of the thousands of Japanese immigrants, the Issei, who crossed the same waters with dreams in their hearts and uncertainty in their steps. Like these pioneers, Noguchi himself would spend much of his life between worlds, becoming one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, while always wrestling with questions of identity and belonging.

In 1983, the city of his birth called Noguchi home once more. The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo needed someone who could speak the language of two cultures, someone who could transform a plaza into a poem. They needed Noguchi. His response was characteristically thoughtful—he didn't just design a space; he orchestrated a symphony in stone.

"Move the theater," he insisted, pushing against initial plans that would have cluttered the plaza's heart. "Let the people have their circle." His vision was clear: create a space where the community could gather, celebrate, and remember. The plaza would be more than concrete and stone; it would be a stage for life itself.

The centerpiece of his design, "To the Issei," emerged from Noguchi's deep understanding of balance. The two basalt pillars arrived from Japan bearing the marks of centuries, and Noguchi, with the wisdom of restraint, knew better than to impose too much of himself upon them. He touched them only lightly with his tools, allowing their natural beauty to speak of the strength and dignity of the immigrant generation they honored.

As Los Angeles grew and changed around the plaza, Noguchi's creation remained a constant, drawing people into its peaceful embrace. Children would run their hands along the cool stone, elderly visitors would rest in its shade, and community gatherings would flow around the pillars like water around ancient rocks in a stream.

As Noguchi's 120th birthday approaches, the legacy of his work in Los Angeles continues to resonate. At JACCC, where Noguchi's iconic plaza stands, we’re preparing a special celebration to honor the artist's enduring influence. This event will feature performances, speeches, and a private preview of Noguchi's famous Akari Light Sculptures in the MISE 店 pop-up, adding another layer of light and shadow to his lasting impact.

In the end, Noguchi's story in Los Angeles came full circle. His plaza remains a testament to the power of spaces that invite us to pause, reflect, and remember who we are and where we came from. In the heart of Little Tokyo, two basalt pillars continue their eternal conversation, whispering tales of journey, identity, and return to all who stop to listen.

Through Noguchi's eyes, we learn that art isn't just about creating beautiful objects—it's about crafting spaces where beauty and meaning can take root and grow. His plaza stands as more than a monument; it's a living reminder that in a city as diverse as Los Angeles, we can find common ground in the spaces between cultures, in the silent poetry of stone, and in the enduring spirit of those who came before us.