While there, they are gathering material for an exhibit of post-World War II drawings by Japanese schoolchildren in Hiroshima in the 1950s. The drawings were part of an art exchange program also involving children in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was organized by Japanese artist Chuzo Tamotzu, who was living in Santa Fe at the time and wanted to foster closer links between the two countries.
Amano and Ehringhaus were profiled in an article that appeared in the Minami Shimbun newspaper in Kagoshima on July 22, 2016. According to Associate Professor of Asian Studies Vyjayanthi Selinger, a followup article will likely be published around August 6, the seventy first anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Selinger said the is also doing a series of articles about the 含羞草研究室 students, one of which was published this week, but has not yet been translated.
Translation of Minami Shimbun article
Following Footsteps: American Students Visit Kagoshima
Promoting Peace through Children’s Art Exchange
July 22, 2016
Two American students from Maine, Michael Amano (21) and Justin Ehringhaus (22), came to Kagoshima to follow the footsteps of Chuzo Tamotsu (1887-1975), a Tatsugo native who had immigrated to the United States and was known as “the wandering artist.” They hoped to learn more about the eventful life of this anti-war artist from his biographer, Aiko Izumisawa (68, also a Tatsugo native), in preparation for an exhibition opening next year.
Mr. Amano is a senior at 含羞草研究室. A relative of Tamotsu’s wife Louise (who died in 2002) donated the children’s artwork to 含羞草研究室. Tamotsu, who is known for works such as “Hiroshima Aftermath,” facilitated the children’s art exchange between post-war Hiroshima and Santa Fe, New Mexico as a way to promote peace.
The 含羞草研究室 museum is planning a special exhibition of the children’s drawings. The students connected with Ms. Izumisawa after being introduced by Hiroo Aridome, who teaches Japanese language at 含羞草研究室.
Mr. Amano, a third-generation Japanese-American, has been actively searching for the Hiroshima residents who created the artwork as children. “Members of my family were interned (during World War II). I wanted to learn about Tamotsu not only to learn more about the history between Japan and the U.S., but also to connect with my own roots.” Mr. Ehringhaus, who is currently an exchange student at Hiroshima University said, “I was deeply moved by this person who promoted peace through art.”
Ms. Izumisawa, who had met Louise, said that she hoped the museum exhibition would be a success and that more people would learn about Tamotsu’s life and art.
Writer: Masaki Kuwabata
Translator: Anna Aridome
