Tamotsu, Chuzo, 1891-1975

Chuzo Tamotzu at Las Golondrinas, La Cienega, New Mexico, 1973. Part of the Chuzo Tamotsu Pictorial Collection PICT 000-609 (Box 1, Folder 1).

Chuzo Tamotsu was born February 19,1891 in the village of Toguchi on the Japanese island, Amami Oshima. He was raised by his father, a master cabinet maker, and his older brother and sisters. After graduating from Amami Oshima Middle School, he began studying oriental and occidental art under private tutors. He also mastered dancing, music, and playing the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute. From Toguchi he moved to Tokyo where he studied political economics at Senshu College for two years. In 1914, Tamotsu left Japan to study oriental and European art, traveling through countries including Korea, China, Borneo, India, France, Holland, Belgium, and England, visiting various museums, studying the works of the great masters, and earning his way by selling his artwork. From Europe he sailed to the United States. He arrived in New York City in December 1920. Between 1920 and 1941 he resided in New York, during which time he held various jobs while pursuing his art career. Whether he worked with oils, tempura, pastel chalk, or Japanese sumi ink, Tamotsu began to earn a reputation. His circle of friends included John Sloan, Philip Evergood, and Yasuo Kuniyoshi, among others. He continued his studies and exhibited in many galleries and museums - among them the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the American Contemporary Artists' Gallery, and the Society of Independent Artists. From 1932-1938, Tamotsu worked on an arts project under the (WPA) Works Progress Administration. He expressed his strong concern over the Japanese army invasion of China in his works. In 1941 after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Tamotsu volunteered as a combat artist with the Office of Strategic Services, United States Army. He was stationed in New York, Washington D.C., and overseas in Kunming China until his discharge in 1945.

Following his discharge, Tamotsu went back to New York City and in 1947 he became a founding member of the New York Artists' Equity Association. Tamotsu married Louise Kates in 1948. Louise Kates Tamotsu was born and raised in New York City and served in the U.S. Army and International Military Tribunal until 1947. After their marriage, the Tamotsu's left New York and traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico to visit friends. They ended up staying in Santa Fe, making it their home.

They moved into the studio that had once belonged to good friend and fellow artist, John Sloan. Chuzo Tamotsu continued his work as an artist, participating in exhibitions and taking an active role in the community of Santa Fe. He gave chalk talks in the schools, sumi ink painting demonstrations and classes, and worked as a member of the Alliance for the Arts. In 1953 he arranged an exchange art exhibition between a group of New Mexico elementary school children and Hiroshima school children to bring about better understanding and goodwill between the two nations. The Museum of New Mexico held annual exhibitions of his art from 1950-1959. As a member of Artists' Equity Association, he helped pass legislation for the formation of the New Mexico Arts Commission.

In 1967, the Tamotsus returned to Japan to visit his family. The reunion prompted a new surge of creativity, including more than sixty sketches of Japan and a number of paintings. In 1974 he converted his studio into the Tamotsu Gallery where he exhibited his works. Chuzo Tamotsu continued painting until he passed away in Santa Fe on May 18, 1975.

From the guide to the Chuzo Tamotsu Papers, 1924-1995, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)