Japanese Canadian War Memorial

The Japanese War Memorial commemorates the Japanese Canadians who gave their lives in the service of Canada during the First World War. Erected in 1920, the monument was commissioned by the Canadian Japanese Association to honour those who served in WWI. The lantern was extinguished in 1941 at the beginning of WWII. Utilizing a grant from the City of Vancouver and support from the Parks Board, the memorial was restored and the lantern was re-lit and rededicated on August 2nd 1985.

The memorial represents a distinctive blend of Western architectural practice (i.e. classical column) and Japanese symbolism (surmounted by a Shinto pagoda form in place of a classical capital). The pillar is carved Haddington Limestone, the base is carved granite petals embedded with names of the battles fought.

Integral to the monument are two rows of Japanese cherry trees planted along an axial approach.
With the assistance of a 2014 VHF Restore It grant, the Japanese Canadian War Memorial had the column returned to the original white, the granite base cleaned, and the dedication plaque replaced with a more updated version.

For more information and other sites of importance to the Japanese Canadian Community, explore VHF's Japanese Canadian District Map Guide

Source

Nikkei Place Foundation, Stanley Park National Historic Sites Commemorative Integrity Statement 2002, VHF Files.

More information

https://najc.ca/support-the-japanese-canadian-war-memorial/