Ever wonder why some people thrive in the whirlwind of Downtown Los Angeles while others leave with tales of burnout and chaos? The city is a paradox of energy and exhaustion, a concrete jungle of dreams and deadlines. Legend tells of a small piece of tranquility and good fortune found in a mysterious gift called a Bozu plant. It’s a treasured item sought by downtown residents to bring living charm and balance to their universe. This Nisei Week, on August 16th at the Little Tokyo Street Fair, is where you can find it.
A Bozu is a handcrafted piece of living art, a product of meticulous craftsmanship by Yukio and his family in Little Tokyo. Together, they carefully pair exotic plants with handmade pots to create truly one-of-a-kind designs that seem to attach themselves to the energy of the person who chooses them. The vendor makes no effort to convince a buyer, instead, they patiently watch as each plant makes its way from the table to its owner. Once a selection is made, a bond is formed that solidifies the moment the Bozu reaches its final destination.
Finding a Bozu plant is not an everyday occurrence. The return of the Little Tokyo Street Fair, held in conjunction with the Nisei Week Festival, presents a rare opportunity to find one of these coveted plants. The fair will transform Weller Court on 2nd and San Pedro into a Japanese cultural treasure hunt for unique items. Bozu plants, artisan crafts, jewelry, and artwork can all be found during the fair, which showcases a city block of independent artisans, including Kiosk Boyz.
Kiosk Boyz are co-founders of the Little Tokyo Street Fair event whose urban fashion blends art and musical influences with a modern Japanese aesthetic.
The adjacent tri-level utopia of food and entertainment at Weller Court hosts the street fair, where you can find all-you-can-eat sushi, spirits, and another half-dozen shops. While the Nisei Week Festival provides the grand backdrop of Japanese-American culture—with a Grand Parade, car show, and drum performances—the Little Tokyo Street Fair is where the true artistic expression and community spirit of artisans like Bozu LA shines.
The Little Tokyo Street Fair returns on August 16th at Weller Court from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Yes, the plant is rare, but just in case you miss the fair, you can still find Bozu plants in a few other select locations: “Boxx Coffee Roasters” in the Arts District, Rice & Nori – Lil Tokyo DTLA, and Adrift Burger Bar on Abbot Kinney. @bozu_la
