representing san jose’s agricultural history, the paving pattern is inspired by historic seed packet designs from kitazawa seed company, america’s first seed company to specialize in asian vegetable seeds. kitazawa was founded in san jose in 1917 and was originally located at 85 north market street.
from 1942 to 1945 kitazawa seed company was forced close due to WWII. the kitazawa family, along with all other japanese-americans, were moved and put into relocation camps during that time. after the war, kitazawa seed company reopened and began selling seeds all across the united states – which they continue to do today.
pattern concept development with corinne takara; images of seed packages provided by california history center foundation, de anza college, cupertino, ca; images used with additional permission from kitazawa seed company.
