8th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest
Each year, the Little Tokyo Historical Society’s Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest heightens awareness of Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo by challenging both new and experienced writers to write a story that showcases familiarity with the neighborhood and the people in it. Writers from three categories, Adult, Youth, and Japanese language, weave fictional stories set in the past, present, or future. On May 23, 2021 in a virtual celebration moderated by Michael Palma, noted theatre artists, Greg Watanabe, Jully Lee, and Eiji Inoue performed dramatic readings of each winning entry.
Winners
- Adult Category: “If You Can See the Watchtower” by Jacob Laux
Honorable mentions - “The Throw” by Emily Beck Cogburn
- “Race Queen of Little Tokyo” by Chiharu Cohen
- “Little Tokyo, A.C.” by Kendra Arimoto
- “Mochi Wishes” by Sophiya Ichida Sweet
- Youth Category: “A Walk Down Memory Lane” by Casey Murase
Honorable mentions - “The Creatures of Little Tokyo” by Elise Chang
- Japanese Language Category: “Little Tokyo: City of Regeneration” by ShoRei
*Read stories from other Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contests:
1st Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
2nd Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
3rd Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
4th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
5th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
6th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
7th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
9th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
10th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest >>
Stories from this series
Little Tokyo: City of Regeneration
May 26, 2021 • ShoRei
22nd Century, Little Tokyo. Looking up at the falling snowflakes, I put my coat collar up and breathed into my hands. Some time ago, Tokio had told me that a century ago, it would have never snowed like this. Tokio is an AI that works at the Koban police box. Ever since this city decided to coexist with AI, Tokio seems to have been keeping an eye out on even the trivial of crimes to protect the safety of this …
If You Can See the Watchtower
May 24, 2021 • Jacob Laux
It’s a shame to rush through these streets. With its cozy plazas and meandering pathways, its shop windows stocked with colors and flavors, its nooks and crannies inviting you to get lost in them, Little Tokyo is meant to be strolled through. But, of course, these are days for nothing but rushing when it comes to leaving my apartment. Rush downstairs--avoid the elevator lest you might share the cramped space with someone--run to where you’re headed, for groceries, for provisions. …