Collaborators: Sonia Romero | Community Redevelopment Agency in 2010 | Little Tokyo Community Council | Little Tokyo Business Improvement District.

A series of 40 medallions designed to reflect Little Tokyo’s past, present and future intrigue visitors with fun and colorful images designed by LA artist Sonia Romero.

Japanese cultural icons Maneki Neko, the Daruma and the Kokeshi are defined with bold lines and bright colors, then set against the background of graphic Japanese fans.

Installed 16 feet up and weighing less than 20 pounds, the double-sided signs are impossible to miss. Cut outs in the aluminum reveal dynamic slices of sky and city behind each sign.