Some trees are just special. One tree in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District has reached legendary status. The loquat tree is an artifact of the Engs, a pioneer Chinese-American family who planted the fruit seed in their front yard. The tree has thrived for over 60 years, nourishing the family and the community. Now, it stands as a legacy tree in the C-ID, accessible to a new generation and the tree’s arboreal descendants grow all over the city, forming their own non-human diaspora.



Ten Thousand Thingsis produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.

And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.

Some trees are just special. One tree in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District has reached legendary status. The loquat tree is an artifact of the Engs, a pioneer Chinese-American family who planted the fruit seed in their front yard. The tree has thrived for over 60 years, nourishing the family and the community. Now, it stands as a legacy tree in the C-ID, accessible to a new generation and the tree’s arboreal descendants grow all over the city, forming their own non-human diaspora.
 
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit">Ten Thousand Things</a> is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is<a href="https://shinyupai.com/"> Shin Yu Pai</a>.<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"> Whitney Henry-Lester</a> produced this episode.<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a> is our editor.<a href="https://www.tomonakayama.com/"> Tomo Nakayama</a> wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.
And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/tenthousandthings"> donating to KUOW</a>.

An award-winning podcast about modern-day artifacts of Asian American life, hosted by poet and museologist Shin Yu Pai.

Ten Thousand Things with Shin Yu Pai

Tree

The E. Kong Yick building houses the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the country, The Wing Luke Museum. And it’s an anchor in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The Wing began in an old mechanic’s garage, exhibiting old folk-art relics from Asia. This episode tells the story of how The Wing transformed from a traditional museum into a BIPOC-owned building, community, and movement … and how people responded when it was threatened. 

***

This episode of Ten Thousand Things is about the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. It was recorded before 26 members of its 52-person staff walked out on May 22nd, in protest of a new exhibition entitled “Confronting Hate Together.” 

Staff returned May 29and leadership continues to work to resolve the dispute. As of June 18, the museum is operating with limited hours. 

As you’re about to hear, The Wing is a beloved Seattle institution that has been no stranger to turmoil and disruption. Regardless, its strong relationship to the community has allowed it to grow and thrive.

If you want to learn more:
Wing Luke exhibit shows how Black, Asian, and Jewish Seattleites confront hate together
With 'heart, sensitivity, and delicacy,' Wing Luke Museum plans to re-open after staff walkout
Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum closed after staff say exhibit 'frames Palestinian liberation' as antisemitism

Ten Thousand Thingsis produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.

And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.

The E. Kong Yick building houses the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the country, The Wing Luke Museum. And it’s an anchor in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The Wing began in an old mechanic’s garage, exhibiting old folk-art relics from Asia. This episode tells the story of how The Wing transformed from a traditional museum into a BIPOC-owned building, community, and movement … and how people responded when it was threatened. 
***
This episode of Ten Thousand Things is about the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. It was recorded before 26 members of its 52-person staff walked out on May 22nd, in protest of a new exhibition entitled “Confronting Hate Together.” 
Staff returned May 29 and leadership continues to work to resolve the dispute. As of June 18, the museum is operating with limited hours. 
As you’re about to hear, The Wing is a beloved Seattle institution that has been no stranger to turmoil and disruption. Regardless, its strong relationship to the community has allowed it to grow and thrive.
If you want to learn more:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/wing-luke-showcases-how-black-asian-and-jewish-seattleites-confront-hate-together">Wing Luke exhibit shows how Black, Asian, and Jewish Seattleites confront hate together</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/with-heart-sensitivity-and-delicacy-wing-luke-muse">With 'heart, sensitivity, and delicacy,' Wing Luke Museum plans to re-open after staff walkout</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-wing-luke-museum-closed-staff-exhibit-palestinian-liberation-antisemitism-Israel-Gaza">Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum closed after staff say exhibit 'frames Palestinian liberation' as antisemitism</a> </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit">Ten Thousand Things</a> is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is<a href="https://shinyupai.com/"> Shin Yu Pai</a>.<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"> Whitney Henry-Lester</a> produced this episode.<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a> is our editor.<a href="https://www.tomonakayama.com/"> Tomo Nakayama</a> wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet.
And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/tenthousandthings"> donating to KUOW</a>.

East Kong Yick Building

This is the sweet story of a viral and photogenic ube cheesecake. To many Filipino-Americans, ube is not a trend. It’s a staple. Yet here in the United States, it was known for decades as an ethnic specialty ingredient. That is, until Chera Amlag got her hands on it and made it the star of her Hood Famous cheesecake. When Chera’s homemade ube cheesecake became a culinary phenomenon, ube was transformed. Chera’s cheesecake put Filipino culture and identity in the spotlight through her imaginative use of ube. And her collaborative approach has strengthened the Filipino-American community. 





Ten Thousand Thingsis produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Young Collective, Olive James, Sonny Oh, N. Kerbin.

And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.

This is the sweet story of a viral and photogenic ube cheesecake. To many Filipino-Americans, ube is not a trend. It’s a staple. Yet here in the United States, it was known for decades as an ethnic specialty ingredient. That is, until Chera Amlag got her hands on it and made it the star of her <a href="https://www.hoodfamousbakeshop.com/">Hood Famous </a>cheesecake. When Chera’s homemade ube cheesecake became a culinary phenomenon, ube was transformed. Chera’s cheesecake put Filipino culture and identity in the spotlight through her imaginative use of ube. And her collaborative approach has strengthened the Filipino-American community.  
 
 
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit">Ten Thousand Things</a> is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is<a href="https://shinyupai.com/"> Shin Yu Pai</a>.<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"> Whitney Henry-Lester</a> produced this episode.<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a> is our editor.<a href="https://www.tomonakayama.com/"> Tomo Nakayama</a> wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Young Collective, Olive James, Sonny Oh, N. Kerbin.
And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/tenthousandthings"> donating to KUOW</a>.

Ube Cheesecake

When Tiffany Ran left for college, her mom gifted her a Tatung cooker. The Tatung is a unique kitchen appliance that would be familiar to anyone with ties to Taiwan. Everyone uses it slightly differently, as its versatility is passed down by word of mouth. Tiffany’s Tatung has accompanied her throughout the chapters of her unfolding adulthood. It has offered nourishment and comfort to her through the years, from broths to rice to Eggo waffles (not recommended). And it is the foundation of her burgeoning culinary career. 



Ten Thousand Thingsis produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Young Collective, Jonny Southard, N. Kerbin.

And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.

When Tiffany Ran left for college, her mom gifted her a Tatung cooker. The Tatung is a unique kitchen appliance that would be familiar to anyone with ties to Taiwan. Everyone uses it slightly differently, as its versatility is passed down by word of mouth. Tiffany’s Tatung has accompanied her throughout the chapters of her unfolding adulthood. It has offered nourishment and comfort to her through the years, from broths to rice to Eggo waffles (not recommended). And it is the foundation of her burgeoning culinary career. 
 
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/bluesuit">Ten Thousand Things</a> is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is<a href="https://shinyupai.com/"> Shin Yu Pai</a>.<a href="https://kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"> Whitney Henry-Lester</a> produced this episode.<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates"> Jim Gates</a> is our editor.<a href="https://www.tomonakayama.com/"> Tomo Nakayama</a> wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Young Collective, Jonny Southard, N. Kerbin.
And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/tenthousandthings"> donating to KUOW</a>.

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