Shinkichi tajiri biography

American sculptor

Shinkichi Tajiri (Japanese: 田尻 慎吉,^[1] Los Angeles, December 7, 1923 – Baarlo, Netherlands, March 15, 2009) was an American sculptor who resided in the Netherlands from 1956 onwards.

He was also active in painting, photography and cinematography.

Childhood and education

A Japanese American, Tajiri was born in Watts, a working-class neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was the fifth of seven children born to Ryukichi Tajiri and Fuyo Kikuta, first generation emigrants (issei), who moved from Japan to the United States in 1906 and 1913.

Shinkichi tajiri biography wikipedia

In 1936, the family relocated to San Diego. His father died when he was fifteen. In 1940, Tajiri received his first lessons in sculpture from Donal Hord.

Life and work

In 1942, following the signing of Executive Order 9066, Tajiri's family was incarcerated at Poston War Relocation Center in Arizona.^[2] Tajiri was a soldier, with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, like his