Kakunen Tsuruoka, 1892-1977

kingfisher in flight

ink and color on paper, the entire background painted pale grey; signed at lower left in kanji, Kakunen, with square artist's seal Kakunen, and oval Tsuruoka family seal on verso, n.d., ca. 1920-30s

7 1/8 by 21 1/8 in., 18.2 by 53.5 cm

The care with which Kakunen depicted a notably variety of birds suggests that he had an unusual appreciation for ornithology as well as a near-scientific eye for detail. During his time at Poston, Kakunen supervised all art-related activities including arranging classes such as woodworking which was particularly popular among the male residents. Poston was the first camp to start producing delicately painted wood carvings of birds (usually adapted as pins), an art form which quickly spread to other camps. Issues of National Geographic magazine with images of birds became hot commodities as source materials. It seems likely that Kakunen's love of bird and flower subjects and his skill at producing highly detailed paintings of birds was a source of inspiration and guidance for his fellow-evacuees at Poston.

SOLD