331 Powell Street
ISHIKAWA STORE ca. 1900 | NIMI SHOKAI 1918-1942 | ST. JAMES | COMMUNITY SERVICE ca. 1960
By 1921, there were 578 ethnic Japanese stores and businesses along Powell Street. Nimi Shokai sold non-prescription and Japanese medicines, and general goods, such as Kodak film, American cosmetics, hair grease, and Colgate tooth powder.
"In the late 30s Nimi Shokai sold thousands of 78s and chikuonki (gramophones). Cases and cases came from Japan… Fishermen had the wind up ones… You had to change the needle every time you played." - Bob Nimi
St. James Community Service Society (SJCSS) is a non-profit organization that has dedicated over 50 years of service to the most vulnerable people in our community.
By 1921, there were 578 ethnic Japanese stores and businesses along Powell Street. Nimi Shokai sold non-prescription and Japanese medicines, and general goods, such as Kodak film, American cosmetics, hair grease, and Colgate tooth powder.
"In the late 30s Nimi Shokai sold thousands of 78s and chikuonki (gramophones). Cases and cases came from Japan… Fishermen had the wind up ones… You had to change the needle every time you played." - Bob Nimi
St. James Community Service Society (SJCSS) is a non-profit organization that has dedicated over 50 years of service to the most vulnerable people in our community.
Artist Comments and Additional Information
The panel introduces tracings of antique record covers found in Nimi Shokai (General Store/Pharmacy) from 1918 to 1942. A single record label reveals the interior to Nimi Shokai with its display cases of Kodak film, American cosmetics to powdered Colgate. At the time Asians were not allowed to practice pharmaceuticals, because of a “fear” of sabotage (selling tainted or poisoned medicine). The biggest sellers however were 78-rpm records, which were played on gramophones or chikuonki.
In May 1942, the Nimi family left Powell Street. At the time, Bob Nimi, son of Toragoro, was only nine-years-old when they were relocated to a Japanese internment camp. Bob returned to 331 around 1987 to recover the “Nimi 331” front tiles before the building was rebuilt by St. James Community Service Society.
