Shohei Ohtani mural unveiled in Little Tokyo

By CNS Staff
Published  March 27, 2024 12:59pm PDT
City News Service
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Mural of Shohei Ohtani unveiled

Hundreds gathered in Little Tokyo Wednesday for the unveiling of a massive Shohei Ohtani mural painted by Robert Vargas.

LOS ANGELES - One day before the Dodgers' home opener, dozens of fans flocked to Little Tokyo Wednesday for the official unveiling of a massive mural depicting the team's newest star, Shohei Ohtani.

Boyle Heights artist Robert Vargas created the mural on the side of the Miyako Hotel, 328 First St., depicting the Japanese sensation in his new Dodger uniform in a pair of images -- one swinging a bat and the other pitching, highlighting the talents of the offensive and defensive standout.

RELATED: Iconic local artist Robert Vargas creates latest mural in DTLA

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Boyle Heights intersection named after Robert Vargas

Legendary artist Robert Vargas was presented with a very cool honor in Boyle Heights.

The 150-foot-tall mural is titled "LA Rising."

For Vargas the mural symbolizes unity, culture, community.

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" I can't imagine this mural living anywhere but Little Tokyo," Vargas said. 

LOS ANGELES, CA MARCH 26: Artist Robert Vargas painted a mural of newest Dodger Shohei Ohtani on the side of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. Vargas and others in the community hope that the mural will help boost business and tourism for small businesses in the area that were battered by the pandemic and by the rising rent and gentrification. Photographed at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA MARCH 26: Artist Robert Vargas' mural of Shohei Ohtani graces the side of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. Vargas and others in the community hope that the mural will help boost business and tourism for small businesses in the area that were battered by the pandemic and by the rising rent and gentrification. Photographed at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA MARCH 26: Artist Robert Vargas, left, paints Mt. Fuji onto his mural of Shohei Ohtani on the side of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. Vargas and others in the community hope that the mural will help boost business and tourism for small businesses in the area that were battered by the pandemic and by the rising rent and gentrification. Photographed at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: A mural of Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is seen on the Miyako Hotel in the LIttle Tokyo district on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA MARCH 26: Artist Robert Vargas' mural of Shohei Ohtani graces the side of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo. Vargas and others in the community hope that the mural will help boost business and tourism for small businesses in the area that were battered by the pandemic and by the rising rent and gentrification. Photographed at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Vargas was still putting finishing touches on the work early Wednesday, but a large blue tarp covering the side of the building was lowered by late morning to reveal the completed work. The artist noted that the mural was drawn freehand, with no stencils or gridwork that are often used to guide large-scale paintings.

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Vargas began painting the work on March 8.

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City of Los Angeles celebrates Robert Vargas Day

The City of Los Angeles has declared September 16 as Robert Vargas Day.

The artist has numerous murals around the L.A. area, as well as internationally, including France and England. In 2022, the city of Los Angeles dedicated the intersection of Pennsylvania and Boyle avenues in Boyle Heights as "Robert Vargas Square."

The mural is also integrated with Artificial Intelligence thanks to the company AR Firm. Scan the QR code at the hotel entrance, then point your phone at Ohtani and he comes to life.