Obata's Yosemite: Art and Letters of Obata from His Trip to the High Sierra in 1927

by Chiura Obata (Artist), Janice T. Driesbach (Contributor), Susan Landauer (Contributor)

Chiura Obata, a gifted Japanese-born artist from California, made his first trip to Yosemite in 1927. The trip left a lasting impression in a remarkable collection of sketches, postcards, and letters. This volume includes 80 full-color reproductions of Obata’s pencil sketches, watercolor paintings, and day-by-day narratives woven through his correspondences. Named one of the “Best Fifty books of 1993? by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the book is a unique and beautiful presentation of personal artistic experience.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Nature

156 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

Reviews

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! The story of how these beautiful paintings were created was lovely and made me want to travel around the woods for a period of time. Obata's genuine delight and wonder is apparent in his paintings and the writings he sent home. I am so glad this book came into my hands.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by Asian artists and this book especially held my interest because Obata came to the United States in 1903 and made several painting and sketching trips to Yosemite. Even in 1927 Yosemite was impacted by automobiles and campers. It was so interesting to read about Obata's experiences in the high Sierra and how it affected him, I definitely feel the same way about nature and in particular California's landscape.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book documents stunning work by an artist previously unknown to me. Obata emmigrated to San Francisco in 1904 and ended up teaching at Berkeley's art department. Most fascinating to me was the description of the process to create woodblock prints which approximate his lovely watercolors. The inclusion of several "states" leading to the final print was invaluable for appreciating the process. For "Lake Basin in the High Sierra," a total of 107 impressions (passes through the press) were made to layer on the colors. He had 400 prints made, but only the best 100 were saved for the ultimate portfolion; the rest were destroyed. Cherry wood was used as was a special durable paper, made by Fukui Sugiwara in northern Japan. Obata commissioned a publisher, Takamiza Print Works of Japan, to create the many woodblocks and states. I am in awe.

[MundiNova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, but not as interesting as Topaz Moon: Chiura Obata's Art of the Internment. Very dry, and factual accounts of art styles and history. The color photos of the work are the only reason to pick up this book.

[Matt Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The paintings in this book are a master class in seeing beauty through fresh eyes. The letters, essays, and articles help to reveal the genius of the paintings and the mind behind them. Obata expressed gratitude for having seen Yosemite; I share that gratitude about seeing his work.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for me~ a mixture of art and nature. The art I love is of Yosemite. His journals (a favorite genre of mine) are all the places I have been. It is truly amazing. An excerpt: "Here, we were able to experience the endless diversity of nature... from the base of the trees I count the stars. I go to dream to the melody of the creek and the song of frogs in the meadow. This experience is nothing compared to nature, but I would not exchange this unforgetable, invaluable, heartfelt memory, like shining stars among trees. Nature is such a nourishing experience I felt almost sad to bid it farewell." WOW! And to be able to paint with equal clarity is true talent.

[anthony]

Beautify reproductions of the drawings and painting Obata made over several years of camping trips in Yosemite.

[Cam]

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