Prof. Chiura
Obata's pupils number in the thousands for he has been teaching
since 1903 and has never ceased even during the time of his
internment in a War Relocation Center during [World Wat II]. For
days after his internment he started an art class. Pupils from
six to 70 years {of age} attended and at one time they numbered
650. During those war years, he continued his large output of
paintings.
When Obata first
came to this country after extensive art training in Japan, he
became known as a designer and decorator and decorated the
Oriental rooms for Gumps that became world famous, the Emporium,
City of Paris and the Jewel Room for the G. T. Mars Co. and on
in Hotel Ambassador. The artist made five large murals for the
Toyo Kisen Kaisha Steamship Co. and for the Iwata Dry Goods Co.
From 1915-1917
Obata was illustrator and cover page designer for the magazine
"Japan," published for the Toyo Kisen Kaisha Steamship Co.,
during which time he turned out about 3,000 illustrations and
numerous cover designs.
His paintings
have also appeared on covers of the California Monthly, alumni
magazine.
Throughout the
years Obata has continued to paint furiously. His work has been
in many exhibits, and held numerous one-man shows and won many
prizes and honors. Before coming to the United States he was one
of Japan's leading young artists.
The family home
has been here at 2430 Oregon St. for many years.
Mrs. Obata has won fame in her
right as an expert in the art of Japanese flower arrangement and
as a teacher of that art. They have one daughter, Mrs. Lillian Kodani of [Berkeley]; two sons, Kinio George and Gyo Frederick
Obata, both of St. Louis, MO. The latter has a daughter, Prof.
Obata's only grandchild.
__________
_____. "Noted
Japanese Has Long Career in Art, Education Fields."
Berkeley Daily Gazette. (21 May 1953), p. 10.
