I     From Okayama

A native of Japan, and just thirteen,
He came to the United States alone,
And with a daring gesture seldom seen,
Sent back his money -- to live on his own.

At first he struggled in the cold Northwest,
Then struggled in the California heat,
Until a mission school gave him a rest
And started him on English -- no easy feat.

Then, in the LA public schools at last,
A teacher recognized his aptitude.
Despite a fling at flying, the die was cast:
He turned to art with focussed attitude.

How does a young man know what path in life to take?
He doesn’t! But, perhaps he does not fear mistake.

II     To New York

He passed through several art schools till he found
A mentor at the famous Students League.
His progress was uneven all around
From jobs (to earn a living) and fatigue.

He missed the month-long Armory Art Show --
That show of Modern Art that made world news!
That turned the Art World over with one blow! --
While working at a restaurant in Syracuse.

He joined the ‘Penguins’ in New York, a lively band
Of artists intent “to draw and play and show
Their work”. He was befriended by this band,
And with encouragement began to grow.

His spirit of adventure, his fierce determination,
Grew into inspiration, and concentration.

III     To Artist

But what of Kuniyoshi’s art? His range
Of subjects was not large: still lifes, quaint nudes,
Circus performers. Nothing wierd, or strange,
Nothing intellectual, intrudes.

But with his innate talent, and his sense
For style and decoration and design,
He has created art that is intense,
Of “haunting beauty”, sensitive, and fine.

The Oriental and American
Are blended easily within his art.
The Coney Island girls’ faces span
Both cultures and cannot be pulled apart.

He wanted to express, he said, the inner thoughts
Of his own race, and of the East.
He used the techniques of the West to realize
This obscure goal, and never ceased.

Copyright (2006) by Arnold Cantor.
All rights reserved.

[Written October 2-7, 2006.]