Kaeru

This was another one of the paintings I did at the same time in 1999. I was inspired by a kaeru (frog) metal windchime, but did the painting from imagination. I wasn't entirely happy with it, but I did have fun with the blades of grass along the river bank. I donated this painting to the Japanese American National Museum for their 2007 Annual Dinner & Silent Auction, but got it scanned before then so I could make reproductions. -- In Japanese, kaeru means either “frog” or “to return.” Frogs are considered good luck charms for travelers and others. This kaeru windchime hangs peaceful and serene from a branch over a gently flowing river against a brightly lit night sky. Kaeru, acrylic on canvas, 1999 Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

Daruma

In 1999, I was given the opportunity to present my paintings at a small cafe in Little Tokyo. In preparation, I completed several new pieces as well as finished up some older ones. This is one of the newer paintings executed in acrylics on canvas. -- Daruma are popular Japanese symbols of perseverance. Often used as good luck charms to fulfill some special wish, it’s customary to paint in one eye when the wish is made, then paint the other eye when the wish is fulfilled. Daruma, acrylic on canvas, 1999 Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

Tsuru

The original is a 30" x 40" oil painting on canvas completed in 1994. I've used tsuru pretty often in my artwork. I like the symbolism and beauty of the Japanese cranes. -- Japanese legend says that tsuru (cranes) are said to live for 1,000 years. Because they also mate for life, they are symbols of fidelity & longevity.They also represent good luck, happiness & peace. Tsuru, oil on canvas, 1994 Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

Origami Tsuru (Orizuru)

This was the very first oil painting I ever completed. The assignment was to paint a still-life of our own composition. I found a box of old orizuru that my sister and I had folded as children and used glued them onto a board for my subject. -- As a child, my sister & I would fold origami tsuru (orizuru). Years later, while searching for a still-life subject, I discovered an old shoebox filled with our clumsily constructed cranes. Their imperfect wings & beaks recalled fond childhood days of play. Origami Tsuru (Orizuru), oil on canvas, 1994 Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

I am an American

I am an American, acrylic on canvas, 1994, Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

This painting will always hold great significance for me. It was completed as an assignment for a painting class. We were to collage black and white images and paint it choosing our own colors. I chose two photos taken during the forced removal of Japanese Americans during World War II. The colors were chosen to represent the red and white of the Japanese flag (colors of the girls), but also the colors of the American flag—red, white, and blue.

Most of the 110,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry incarcerated during WWII were children and young adults not yet of voting age. Most were citizens by birth.

While working on it in the class, an older Caucasian woman remarked to me that it was really a shame what happened during the war, but that it had been for their own protection...this was 50 years later in Southern California. This painting inspires and compels me to continue educating people about the JA experience during the war.

Kazoku (Four Generations)

The original painting was done in acrylic paints on canvas completed in 1999. The four mobile 'dolls' represent four generations of my family along my maternal side - from my Issei great-grandmother to me. -- In Japanese, 'Kazoku' means family. Represented are four generations of women on my maternal side - from my Issei great-grandmother to me. Kazoku (Four Generations), acrylic on canvas, 1999 Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda