The Bay School Opens Reclaimed Historical Space: The Tsuru Room
Thanks to the efforts of students, staffulty, and trustees, along with the current and alumni parent/guardian community, The Bay School is creating the “Tsuru Room,” a transformed historical space in the main building at 35 Keyes Avenue.
During World War II, General John L. DeWitt led the Army’s Western Defense Command, headquartered in the Presidio. From his office in Room 201 of what is now The Bay School, DeWitt implemented Executive Order 9066, resulting in the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans. For decades, that room has been known as the “DeWitt Room.”
The Bay community has partnered with internal and external stakeholders to reimagine the space as the Tsuru Room. Tsuru means “crane” in Japanese; the bird is a symbol of peace, healing, and longevity in Japan. The Tsuru Room will serve as a contemplative environment for reflection and learning. It now has tatami mats, zabuton seat cushions, and slippers, along with a small library curated for quiet study, remembrance, and dialogue.
“As a school located in the Presidio, we feel a deep responsibility to acknowledge the history that took place within these walls. We do not take that duty lightly,” said Dean of Student Life and Assistant Head of School Mio Tsukamoto.
“We want to transform the space into a place to reflect and remember the hardships so many went through. We don’t want you to only think of the bad things that have happened in this space; we also want to reclaim it and memorialize and honor the resilience of the Japanese American community,” commented Hana ’28, one of the student leaders involved with the project.
For the next phase of this reclamation, The Bay School is collaborating with local origami artist Linda Tomoko Mihara, who specializes in the art of renzuru, creating chains of origami cranes either from a single sheet of paper or connected by their wings. Mihara will be installing an art exhibit that will include 1,000 origami cranes, senbazuru in Japanese, which signifies a profound wish for healing, long life, and good fortune.
Mihara presented at Morning Meeting on Monday, February 23, demonstrating to the community how to fold a paper crane. Bay students and staffulty and other members of the Japanese American community, including survivors of the incarceration, will be folding the cranes to be included in the installation.
“Transforming this space into the Tsuru Room allows us to remember the hardships endured by Japanese Americans, while also honoring their resilience and reclaiming the space as one for reflection, learning, and healing. As a first-generation Japanese immigrant, it is especially meaningful to me to see our students lead this work and help ensure that this history is remembered so that future generations can continue building greater understanding and care for one another,” said Tsukamoto.
This room will exist as a living project, with other features such as a tokonoma, used to display treasured or seasonal objects and art, planned for the future. “We want to make sure we are truly honoring the memories and culture of the Japanese American community,” said Hana.
“At a time when the lessons of history feel especially relevant, we hope this space helps students understand both the past and their responsibility to shape a more just future,” added Tsukamoto.
Special thanks to Bay staffulty members Laila Abdelal McClay, Mio Tsukamoto, Susie Shimizu McCobb, and Patti Kim-Gable; Bay alumni parents Carrie Chee, Sara Sullivan, Cory Jamison, and Annelise Bauer; and Bay students Hana ’28 and Quinci ’28.
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