By Melody Chan
Melody Chan is multidisciplinary artist and cultural bearer based in Los Angeles, with a BA in Human Development from California State University, Long Beach. Their work merges artistic practice with social impact, using public art, community storytelling, and interactive media to amplify marginalized voices.
On a quiet afternoon in Little Tokyo, Joyce leans against the counter at Bowls, a streetwear and automotive lifestyle brand deeply embedded in the world of professional drift racing. The shop is owned by Brandon and Joyce and isn’t just a retail space—it’s a gathering point for JDM enthusiasts, a place where the love of precision engineering and street car culture connects generations. Behind her, shelves lined with merchandise tell the story of a subculture deeply intertwined with the neighborhood’s energy. In the center of the shop, an actual car sits—its presence more than just display, but a testament to the passion that fuels this space. “This shop is built on combining our passions,” Joyce says. “Love for the automotive industry, love for drift culture, and love for Little Tokyo.”
Her words resonate across Little Tokyo, where generations have built belonging, businesses, and connections that define this community. In a city where neighborhoods constantly evolve, the importance of preserving history and honoring the people who shaped these spaces remains ever-present. Soon, a new chapter of this story will take form on the walls of the First Street North Residences—a mural that celebrates the hands that built this neighborhood and the community members working to ensure it thrives for years to come.
As an artist, I have always sought to merge storytelling with preservation, using murals to document the lived histories. When I walked through Little Tokyo, I wasn’t just looking for inspiration—I was listening. Joyce introduced me to Brian from Fugetsu-Do, whose family has been making mochi here for over a century. “Change is inevitable,” Brian told me. “But what matters is how we hold onto what’s important—our traditions, our stories, our connections.”
I met Chasity, 16 and David, 17 who travel from East L.A. to experience the intersection of Japanese and Hispanic culture, drawn to the history and shared love for cuisine. David, an avid admirer of live music and art, finds particular joy in watching a street performer who skillfully sings and plays instruments. This unique performance exemplifies the vibrant culture that draws them to the area.
Victor, who grew up in East Los Angeles in a single-parent household, finds solace in the art, anime, and collectibles that fill the streets of Little Tokyo—a reminder that identity is preserved not just in history books, but in everyday rituals of joy. Engaging with Japanese art has brought his family closer together, fostering shared experiences and deepening their connections.
Little Tokyo has long been part of my creative journey. My first art book—Yoshitomo Nara’s works—was bought here, igniting a love for illustration that would shape my career. In 2023, I attended the Printed Matter Art Book Fair in this very neighborhood, and today, I collaborate with vendors from that fair, like Tiny Splendor and Good Mother Gallery. Every step of my growth as an artist has been tied to this place, and now, this mural is my way of giving back.
The piece I envision will not just capture history—it will depict the people creating it. The construction workers laying the foundation of the affordable housing complex. The shop owners opening their doors each morning. The elders who fought for this neighborhood, guiding the next generation. These are the hands shaping Little Tokyo, brick by brick.
Inspired by Nancy Kikuchi’s Home is Little Tokyo, I animated the plaque as a reminder of what public art can do: preserve stories, strengthen cultural ties, and remind us that we belong. I hope that this mural will not just be something to look at, but something that speaks— to the people who have fought for this space, and to the dreams that will continue to bloom here.
This is more than a painting. This is a love letter to Little Tokyo.
