Fresno in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Kogetsu-Do

Photographed By Lester J Letson, December 4, 2014

1. Kogetsu-Do Marker

Inscription. Kogetsu-Do A Fresno landmark. Confectioner Kogetsu - Do has survived in the same location it has occupied for 99 Years. Sugimatsu Ikeda and his wife Sakino started the business in 1915 and were able to purchase this building on "F" Street in 1920. With the outbreak of World War II, they were sent to an internment camp in Arkansas. Ikeda worked out a deal with a Chinese family to take over the shop while the family endured the camp. After 2 years of confinement, Ikeda reopened Kogetsu-Do in 1944. Sons Roy and Masao carried on the family business specializing in Mochi. This Japanese business has been a cornerstone of the Fresno community and has passed from generation to generation now being run by Ikeda's Granddaughter Lynn Ikeda, continuing on with the family recipe. This confectioner remains a staple for the Asian community of Fresno's Chinatown district.

Erected 2014 by Maj. James D. Savage Chapter 1852 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 36° 43.794′ N, 119° 47.639′ W. Marker is in Fresno, California, in Fresno County

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. Marker is on F Street, 0.1 miles west of Kern Street, on the right when traveling west. Next door to the former Victory Cafe, now the Chinatown Revitalization office and museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 920 F Street, Fresno CA 93706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. China Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Green Bush Spring (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of the Fresno Free Speech Fight (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Saroyan (approx. half a mile away); Fresno County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); Honoring the Ex-Braceros and Their Contributions (approx. half a mile away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (approx. half a mile away); Purple Heart Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fresno.

More about this marker. Marker sits indoors on a shelf and is visible through the front window.

Fresno's Chinatown image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, June 7, 2014

2. Fresno's Chinatown

Photo showing F Street west of Kogetsu-Do including the Chinese Temple owned by the Chinatown Revitalization Committee.

Photographed By Mandy Kirby, January 20, 2019

3. Kogetsu-Do Marker

Photographed By Lester J Letson, June 7, 2014

4. Kogetsu-Do Marker

Picture of the mural inside Kogetsu-Do showing what the store looked like in the 1920's.

Kogetsu-Do, 920 F Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lester J Letson, June 7, 2014

5. Kogetsu-Do, 920 F Street

The storefront on the day of the dedication.

Photographed By Chinatown Revitalization Committee, unknown

6. Chinatown

Although known as Chinatown, the area was originally settled by Chinese, Germans, Italians, Japanese, Armenians and others. After World War II, many Japanese returning from internment camps opened businesses in historic Chinatown. This map shows many of the Japanese businesses that once thrived around Kogetsu-Do in the late 1940's.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 3. submitted on January 20, 2019, by Mandy Kirby of Clovis, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 10, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.