Art in Incarceration: Artistry in the Japanese American Internment Camps

Title

Watercolor

Creator

Masaichi Tanaka

Owner

Loaned by Gwen and Allan Kato

Creation Date

1942-1945

Description

Masaichi Tanaka was originally from Fukushima Prefecture and immigrated to the US in 1918. He was a gardener in the Coronado area and an active Kendo sensei when he was arrested by the FBI and placed in Santa Fe, New Mexico for detention. Nine months later he was reunited with his wife and five children in Poston War Relocation Center in Arizona. While there he worked as a cook and in the Art Department making ironwood plaques with in-laid lettering. He used his spare time developing his talents for painting, lapidary, wood carving and calligraphy.

Rights and Use Statement

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