Denver artist unveils mural honoring Japanese American roots at Sakura Square
A downtown Denver landmark is getting a new look as part of a tribute to Colorado's Japanese American community.
Sakura Square, home to Pacific Mercantile -- a third-generation family-owned grocery store specializing in Japanese and Asian foods -- is the site of several new murals by Denver artist Casey Kawaguchi.
Kawaguchi's latest piece, titled Rooted in Tradition, pays tribute to George Inai, the founder of Pacific Mercantile. Inai launched the business after World War II, following his release from a Japanese American internment camp.
"This mural is a finishing of a mural that wraps the entire Pacific Mercantile building. I'm painting a Japanese character with a butterfly and a bonsai tree," Kawaguchi said.
Casey Kawaguchi's latest mural, still in progress, can be seen on the wall of Pacific Mercantile in Denver on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
CBS
"The bonsai tree represents his legacy and really what they're continuing on here at the store," Kawaguchi said. "The tree also represents the deep roots that run throughout Sakura Square."
The mural itself is an ode to Pacific Mercantile and its legacy of helping feed the community, with crops in the background of one of the murals and a fruitful harvest in another on the other side of the building.
An official unveiling of the mural is set for Tuesday, June 3, with additional events planned at Sakura Square throughout the summer.
The project is supported by a $10,000 public art sponsorship from the city of Denver.
Denver muralist Casey Kawaguchi talks about his latest piece in Sakura Square in Denver on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
CBS
"It's really a hub for the community. It's what's kept Sakura Square alive," Kawaguchi said.
"I hope they get a feeling just right off the bat from this piece of artwork that this is a special place," he continued. "I hope they discover the deep roots that are here connected with this store and this block."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
‘Color walking' is trending — here's everything you need to know
The walking trends are coming in thick and fast now that summer is approaching, and TikTok — as TikTok does — is sending each one stratospheric. If you haven't heard about it yet, put down your "hot girl walk," "silent walking," or the "Japanese walking method" for just a moment and join me in the latest TikTok fitness craze — "color walking." I use up way more of my journalistic time than I'd like slamming and damning the misleading (and sometimes downright nonsensical) wellness trends I see on TikTok. It can often feel like a relentless game of Whack-A-Mole — just when you think one has finally gone, another one springs up from nowhere. But color walking? I'm actually totally sold, to be honest. Here's what I learned from the TikTok color walking trend — and why you may benefit from trying it, too. The color walking technique is a great way to engage in National Walking Month, and because the benefits of walking are extensive, who wouldn't want to find more ways to make it more interesting, too? Dale Orton, head of photo culture and quality at nature-inspired photography company CEWE, who champions walking in nature, says: Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 'Color walking is similar to many mindfulness practices and grounding techniques, such as deep breathing, naming categories and the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory experience, which aim to ease anxiety and help you feel more aware of your surroundings. These techniques help to anchor your thoughts and bring you back to the present moment.' He adds that you can experience the same effect with color walking — simply focus on a specific color while you walk to draw attention away from overthinking or distractions. 'It also trains your eyes to notice the small details, which heightens sensory awareness,' he says. 'Equally, we know that taking photos of nature can also help focus the mind, so combining your color walking and stopping to take photos can have double the benefit.' Orton suggests five tips if you plan to color walk. Here are a few things I noticed besides colors. Given that I was heading to my local park for this exercise, I decided not to go with green — my initial intention. Instead, I chose a color I'd have to look harder to find, which I thought could help improve my focus and prevent distractions. I landed on blue. Those walking near me probably wondered why I was standing in a field staring at the sky, but hey, we move. First, I watched how the clouds moved and interacted with the blue sky tucked away behind them; I felt…peaceful. Like the feeling after a big exhale when you've been holding your breath. I then walked around and looked for other blues that were less obvious — the color of a T-shirt (warning, don't stare at people for longer than is socially acceptable) or the orange and blue of a ball clutched between the spit-slick jaws of a panting puppy. It made me present in the moment and feel calmer in my mind. I get it, we don't all have time for long or leisurely walks whenever we feel like it, but you can benefit from even just 10 minutes of color walking. This wasn't a step tracking exercise, so I switched my phone to silent (a bit like when I tried silent walking), took out my earphones and removed my Apple Watch. Free from my self-imposed tech shackles, I explored and spent longer walking (and observing) than I would have done if I'd dutifully trotted out my regular walking route. Naturally, and without checking, I'm pretty sure I clocked up more steps. But that's not the point. Instead of going through the rhythms of my daily routine, I was actually noticing things for the first time, and I found it very soothing and enjoyable. If you're looking for a pair of the best running shoes you can wear for long walks, too, these sneakers are super cushioned and comfy. I regularly choose them for runs and walks! With my tech switched off, I could switch off. Anyone who knows me knows that I am chaotic by my very nature — a 5'2" hurricane of clumsy golden retriever energy and topic-hopping chat. I've also, and I know many people can relate, had a bit of a tough start to the year. During these mentally trickier months, my daily walks have been less about the physical benefits (hello rucking) and more about building mental stamina and finding some peace of mind. And so for once, I found myself genuinely relaxing and switching off my brain. Not for long — the worries and anxieties of the day ahead would still creep in, but just before I began floating off toward them, I'd then refocus my brain on the color blue and find myself re-anchored and tethered. I haven't found many of these mindfulness exercises work for me in life — if someone recommends 'traditional' meditation to me again, I won't be held responsible for my actions — but this one did. I enjoyed seeking out the color, observing how it interacted with its surroundings, then panning out to the object itself, how it moved, or how things moved around it. Simple, free to do and endlessly meditative. Tick, tick, tick. I honestly believe there are benefits for everyone with color walking, and it's a wellness trend I finally don't mind TikTok blowing up. If, for whatever reason, colors don't work for you, I recommend trying sounds instead. Try to choose one beforehand — like bird song — and listen for it wherever you go. If you fancy entering a trance-like state the next time you go walking, try a color walk. Trust me!
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Faith Salie offers her two cents on the end of the penny
What is worthless, but priceless? Overlooked, but treasured? Ubiquitous, but ephemeral? What makes us stop in the street to transcend our pride and stoop to pick it up? It's the humble, shiny, tiny penny. The Treasury announced it will cease making new pennies by early next year. Will they disappear immediately? No. But like so many things in our lives – reliably snowy winters, face-to-face conversations, books whose pages we can turn – pennies are fading away. Before you shrug me off as a sentimental fool old enough to remember visiting the penny candy store on Cape Cod, I do understand that pennies are "outdated" and "inefficient." The government spends about 3.7 cents to make 1 penny. That's a loss of $85 million last year alone. And around half of us don't even carry cash anymore. I don't think the Tooth Fairy believes in pennies nowadays. So, canceling them makes "cents." But in a world where it seems like everyone's looking down, a penny can remind us things might be looking up ... you know, pennies from heaven? You know who was on the first penny in 1792? A woman! It was deemed un-American back then to depict a ruler on a coin, so pennies featured Lady Liberty. It wasn't until 1909 that President Lincoln's face graced the coin. His iconic profile was designed by a Lithuanian-born Jewish immigrant, Victor David Brenner, who created what's thought to be the most reproduced piece of art in history. 1943 pennies were made of zinc-coated steel, because copper was needed for World War II. Should we just throw that history away? Well, yes! As long as we imbue each toss with our wishes. "A penny for your thoughts" was coined nearly 500 years ago by Sir Thomas More, back when offering someone a penny meant their musings were really worth something. These are just my two cents, but ... nobody throws a bitcoin into a fountain. Call me a numismatic nostalgic, but in a world full of crypto and virtuality, I'll keep my eyes peeled for the tarnished, tangible, inefficient promise of luck. For more info: Story produced by Liza Monasebian. Editor: Ed Givnish. See also: Face value: Portraits on money ("Sunday Morning")Moneymakers: Artists at the U.S. Mint ("Sunday Morning") Almanac: "In God We Trust" ("Sunday Morning") The history of the penny ("Sunday Morning") The wonderfully weird world of artist Luigi Serafini Fans turn out for estate sale at home of Tom Petty Trump says Musk is "not really leaving" as DOGE savings lag behind projections
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
What is a kamado grill, and how do they work?
Grilling season is here, and it's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide. As the weather heats up, you might be rethinking your current grill situation. And if you're considering investing in the best grill for your yard this year, you may well have come across the name 'kamado grill.' So, what is a kamado grill, and how do they work? A kamado grill is a type of ceramic charcoal grill characterized by its distinctive egg-shaped design. They've gained popularity in recent years thanks to their versatility, easy temperature control, and great flavor. We tapped two grilling experts to learn more about kamado grills and determine whether they live up to the hype. Kamado grills have been used for centuries by chefs in China and Japan. Archaeologists have discovered clay cooking pots dating back 3,000 years, which they believe are the earliest examples of the modern ceramic kamado grill. The word 'kamado' translates to 'stove' or 'cooking range' in Japanese, providing insight into their functionality. Essentially, a kamado grill functions like a charcoal stove, capable of searing steaks, grilling burgers, baking pizzas, smoking brisket, and more. Today, kamado grills are more popular than ever, with several brands offering models at various price points to accommodate a range of needs and budgets. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. As kamado grills have grown in popularity, several brands have jumped on the bandwagon. The two most popular brands in the U.S. today are Big Green Egg (the kamado grill pioneer in the American market) and Kamado Joe. However, established grill-makers like Weber, Char-Griller, and Grilla Grills have also entered the kamado grill market. There's more choice than ever before. You can get a basic kamado grill from Char-Griller for $200 to $400. However, you can also spend as much as $1,000 on a Kamado Joe Classic Joe grill or $1,600 on a Big Green Egg XLarge. Essentially, there's a kamado grill for every budget. The OG Kamado Joe, this bold red option offers 250 square inches of cooking space and a cast iron top vent to maintain a consistent temperature in the grill. It also comes with a stand and side shelves. 'Kamado grills are made of ceramic and operate in the same function as a drum smoker,' explains Shannon Snell, pitmaster at Sonny's BBQ. 'Coals and wood are started with fire and placed in the bottom of the kamado. Air vents located at the bottom are used to control oxygen airflow and regulate temperature.' Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor-in-chief at Kitchen Deets, explains how kamado grills utilize airflow to regulate temperature and cook a variety of foods. 'By adjusting the top and bottom vents, I regulate oxygen flow to the charcoal, controlling temperature from 225°F for smoking to over 700°F for pizza,' he says. 'The thick ceramic walls create consistent, radiant heat that circulates efficiently.' This unique design enables kamado grills to excel at heat retention. 'Ceramic grills hold heat better than any grill on the market,' Snell says. 'They are generally sealed very well and are nearly indestructible.' The dome shape allows for heat distribution from all directions, so food cooks evenly. Traditional rectangular grills often have hot and cold spots because of their shape. Kamado grills are also extremely fuel-efficient compared to other types of grills. 'The fuel efficiency amazes me—I can smoke for 12+ hours on one load of charcoal,' explains Craig. 'Kamado retains moisture better than any other grill I've used, preventing that dry barbecue I occasionally get from my offset.' 'Ceramic grills hold heat better than any grill on the market' The efficiency and versatility of the kamado grill mean you can cook a wide variety of foods. You can use a low and slow heat to cook ribs, pork butt, spatchcock chicken, and more. You can also crank it to a searing high heat for steak, pizza, and burgers. Grilling, smoking, baking, roasting—the kamado can do it all. If you're thinking of buying a kamado grill, there are several factors to consider first. Kamado grills are more complex than other types of grills, especially for beginners. 'The learning curve frustrated me initially — temperature adjustments take time, and I've overshot my target more than once,' Craig says. 'The ceramic can crack if heated too quickly, as I learned with my first unit.' Snell agrees. 'This grill does require a bit of flame management, and the temperature can be a little tricky when trying to even it out,' he says. However, if you're willing to learn proper kamado grilling techniques, the result is unmatched. 'Kamado bridges the gap between my gas grill's convenience and my offset's flavor capability,' says Craig. 'It produces better smoke flavor than pellet grills while being more user-friendly than traditional smokers.' 'It is nearly indestructible, does not rust, and lasts quite a while before you have to replace it,' says Snell. 'Also, once the vents are set and the temperature evens out, this grill is one of the most consistent when it comes to using charcoal and wood.' Consider your available space before purchasing a kamado grill. Although the grill itself doesn't take up a lot of space, you'll need to ensure the grill has proper airflow beneath it for optimal cooking. You'll also need to consider space for food preparation and trays—many kamado grills have side shelves to accommodate this, but others do not. You can also choose from several different sizes to fit your space, though smaller-sized grills will have less room for cooking food. Ultimately, your decision on whether to buy a kamado grill depends on your budget, experience level, and willingness to learn. 'Kamados work best for patient grillers who enjoy the process,' says Craig. 'I recommend them for cooks wanting versatility without multiple units, those interested in both grilling and smoking, and anyone who values fuel efficiency over convenience. They're perfect for the enthusiast willing to master temperature control through practice.' Snell agrees. 'Intermediate grillers would do well with this grill,' he says. 'This grill requires some understanding of how oxygen affects the temperature of the grill, but it's also user-friendly and controlled by a single air vent.' If you love the taste of grilled, smoked, and wood-fired food and want to learn a more traditional grilling technique, you can't go wrong with a kamado grill.
