The Taguchi Legacy

a celebration of japanese heritage through tintype photography

By Kiana Bates

I am very grateful for my heritage. Being half Japanese has always been something that has set me apart; whether it was when my family was living in the southern United States or since we moved to Utah. My Baachan and Jiichan (grandmother and grandfather) joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as teenagers while living in Japan. Just a few years after their marriage, when my mother and her brother were very young, the family moved to America for religious, cultural, and educational opportunities.

I was a beneficiary of their sacrifice to come to the United States. I grew up not speaking Japanese, but serving a mission in Japan deepened my appreciation for the Japanese language and culture. Photography had been something I was interested in because of the ability to capture-in-time priceless family moments. I fueled my deepening passion for photography by capturing my Baachan. I fell in love with the intricacies of my Japanese heritage through my Baachan’s hands, her smile, her cooking and the stories she would tell me. These photos are a celebration of the culture she has shared with us.

Tintype photography captures the essence of a person that we are unable to see with the naked eye. Unlike digital photography that can be easily corrupted and deleted, these photos will last for centuries. Generations to come will have a record of the heritage that my Baachan passed on to my mother, who subsequently passed it on to me, and which I am eager to pass on to my future children.

Through this project, I would love for viewers to develop a greater appreciation for Japanese culture. I also want this project to spark an interest in viewers to learn more about their own heritage.