We invite those who were born a Tanaka, married into a Tanaka family, are related to a Tanaka, or are connected to the Tanaka name to share their family’s story and photographs.

This submission reflects your perspective of your Tanaka family’s journey. It does not need to be a complete family history or include every relative, event, or detail. While your story may naturally include spouses and relatives from other family lines, the focus should be on the journey of your Tanaka family.

Another sibling, cousin, child, or relative may remember the same events differently, and that is okay. Together, these different perspectives help preserve a richer and more complete picture of each family’s journey.

What to submit

Stories should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) and should not exceed 1,000 words.

Photographs should be uploaded in order of importance, with Photograph #1 being the image you most hope will be included. Depending on story length and available space, we may not be able to include every submitted photograph.

Please identify the individuals shown in each photograph whenever possible.

Submission deadline

Monday, August 10, 2026

This early deadline allows us enough time to design, produce, and print each family’s display for Tanaka Day.

One last question…

As part of each Family Journey submission, contributors are invited to answer one personal reflection question:

If you could ask one of your Tanaka ancestors one question, what would it be?

For families whose journey to America began more recently, your question may be directed to the family member who first made that journey or another Tanaka family member whose experiences helped shape your family’s story.

There are no right or wrong answers. Your question may be displayed near the end of your Family Journey Display.

Thank you for helping preserve the journeys, memories, and legacy of Tanaka families for future generations.