The Life and Journey of Taro Yashima
Born Atsushi Iwamatsu in Nejime, Japan, the artist known as Taro Yashima lived a life shaped by significant historical shifts. After studying at the Tokyo Fine Arts School, he became involved with progressive artists who opposed Japanese militarism. This involvement led to him and his wife, Tomoe, being imprisoned and brutalized by the government. Seeking to avoid conscription and to study art, the couple immigrated to the United States in 1939. During the war, he worked for the United States Office of War Information and the Office of Strategic Services, adopting the pseudonym Taro Yashima to protect his family in Japan. He eventually settled in New York City and later moved to Los Angeles, where he opened an art institute.
Literary and Artistic Legacy
Yashima achieved distinction as an illustrator, painter, and children's writer. His autobiographical works, The New Sun and Horizon is Calling, detailed his experiences in pre-war Japan. He gained significant acclaim in the field of children's literature, earning several Caldecott Honor Books for his illustrations. His notable works include:
His storytelling often drew from his roots, including his childhood village of Nejime. Beyond his books, he participated in the documentary Taro Yashima's Golden Village. He was the father of Mako Iwamatsu and Momo Yashima.
