It seems only fitting that Japanistic pay tribute to the iconic work of late artist George Akimoto, whose estate was sold at auction this past weekend. Akimoto, who died at the age of 87, was responsible for some pretty incredible movie posters of the 1970s.(via)
Akimoto’s story is equally compelling. “His popular movie posters may have been outrageously campy, but for noted Stockton artist George Akimoto, camp had a more poignant meaning. Interned at the Stockton fairgrounds during World War II, and then sent to the relocation camp at Rohwer, Ark. – along with more than 8,000 Japanese Americans from San Joaquin County and the Los Angeles area – Akimoto made a name for himself drawing the cartoon “Lil Dan’l” for the Rohwer Outpost before moving on to a successful career in movie and commercial art.” (via)
“Even Akimoto’s reproduction prints sell for between $35 and $145. The estate sale is full of them, plus countless historical photographs – including Akimoto with many famous people – ephemera and even a print by famed aviation artist Keith Ferris, personally autographed to Akimoto.
‘One of Stockton’s native sons, through adversity of having to go through Rohwer, rose above such adversity and went on to have such a distinguished and productive life in the motion picture and aviation industries,’ Ed Ruhstaller said. ‘And when he retired, he chose to come back to his hometown.’
Other highlights of the sale include 1950s and ’60s modern/industrial and Lucite furniture, airplane memorabilia, photographs and camera equipment, medals, Orientalia and a variety of weapons, even a Samurai sword.
Akimoto’s series of internment camp comics were on display for the Stockton Buddhist Temple’s centennial celebration in 2006. His character, “Lil Dan’l,” became the mascot of the Rohwer camp and later anchored Akimoto’s book, “Lil Dan’l: One Year in a Relocation Center. 1943.” (via)
There’s no denying the, kickin’ power of his images. And of course, the Awesomeness! But really, it’s made all the more powerful by Akimoto’s own story.
