Hideo Wataguchi working on his route in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Photograph by Shane Sato. 2007.

Hideo is a Kibei born in Northern California. He returned to the United States from Japan in the 1950s. The Southern California neighborhood that he lives in was developed by Japanese Americans in the post-war era. Although less than fifty percent of the homes are owned by Japanese Americans now, its past history is still very apparent. Most of the newer owners have chosen to keep the Japanese-style gardens created by the original residents. Hideo and another Japanese American gardener still live on the same street and maintain many of the yards in the area.

This photograph was taken in conjunction with the exhibition, Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden, at the Japanese American National Museum from June 17 - October 21, 2007. His personal story was shared with the exhibition team as part of the research documentation.