Mitsu Yashima facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mitsu Yashima
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| 八島 光 | |
Mitsu Yashima in 1975
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| Born |
Tomoe Sasako
October 11, 1908 Innoshima, Hiroshima, Japan
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| Died | December 7, 1988 (aged 80) |
| Occupation | Children's book author, artist |
| Spouse(s) | Taro Yashima |
| Children | Makoto Iwamatsu, Momo Yashima |
Mitsu Yashima (八島 光, Yashima Mitsu, born Tomoe Sasako (笹子 智江, Sasako Tomoe); October 11, 1908 – December 7, 1988) was a talented artist, a writer of children's books, and a community leader. She used her art to share important messages.
Mitsu Yashima: Artist and Activist
Mitsu Yashima grew up in Japan. Her father worked for a shipbuilding company. She went to Kobe College and later studied art in Tokyo at Bunka Gakuin.
Early Life and Activism
In the 1930s, Mitsu joined a study group. There she met Taro Yashima, who would become her husband. They were both artists. They painted pictures of farmers and workers. Their art often showed problems with Japan's military growth. They also showed how the government was stopping people from speaking freely.
Because they spoke out against war, Mitsu and Taro faced trouble. The special police (called Tokkō) arrested them. They were treated harshly for their anti-war views. Their experiences are shown in Taro's graphic novels, New Sun and Horizon is Calling.
Life in America
Mitsu and Taro had a son, Makoto, in 1933. He later became a famous actor known as Mako. In 1939, Mitsu and Taro moved to America. Taro wanted to avoid joining the Japanese Army. He also wanted to study art more.
When World War II began, Mitsu helped the United States. She worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). This group sent messages to Japan to help the American war effort. During this time, she started using the name Mitsu Yashima.
After the War
After the war, in 1948, Mitsu and Taro had a daughter named Momo. Momo also appeared in some of their children's books. In 1954, the family moved from New York to Los Angeles. There, Mitsu and Taro opened an art institute.
Mitsu worked with Taro to write children's books. They wrote Plenty to Watch in 1954. They also wrote Momo's Kitten in 1961.
In the 1960s, Mitsu moved to San Francisco. She focused on her art and helping her community. She also worked as a civic activist, meaning she worked to improve society. In 1976, she acted in a TV movie. It was called Farewell to Manzanar. She acted alongside her son and daughter in the film.
Mitsu's health declined in her later years. In 1983, she moved back to Los Angeles. She lived with her daughter until she passed away on December 7, 1988.
