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January 30, 2016 by tomdalzell

Mike Nagamoto – Welder (and artist) at Work on Marin

 

Quirky Berkeley 01-18-2016

2219 Marin

If Quirky Berkeley were to grant Quirky Landmark Status, the rusting steel skeleton playing a saxophone in front of 2219 Marin would be an early and unanimous choice of the QLS Commission.  It is prominent, quirky, and because to is on a well-traveled street it is known by many.

Mike Yoji Nagamoto. Photo: Colleen Neff

Mike Yoji Nagamoto. Photo: Colleen Neff

The sax-playing skeleton, the rusting fish, and the cut-off welding gas tank wind chimes are the products of Mike Yoji Nakamoto.

When Nagamoto came to the front door, we asked if he was the artist responsible for the skeleton, fish etc. in the front yard.  He said he was the welder.  Like Mark Bulwinkle, Nagamoto identifies with his craft rather than the results of his craft.  You can’t do what he does, though, without a strong artistic vision.

Yours truly and Mike Nagamoto.  Photo: Colleen Neff

Yours truly and Mike Nagamoto. Photo: Colleen Neff

Nagamoto retired from the Berkeley Fire Department with 30 years of service in 2008. Also – he worked as an industrial welder under contract with Piledrivers, Dives, Bridge Wharf and Dock Builders Local 34, taught welding at Laney, and taught welding in PG&E’s Power Pathway program.

Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

The sax-playing skeleton is the centerpiece of the work in his front yard. He is not the first or only skeleton.  The original sax player was stolen in the late 1980s.  Bad karma!  Bad thief!  This one is big and heavy and attached to big and heavy things.  It will not be easily stolen.

Nagamoto has lived here for more than 30 years.  His front yard is filled with pieces that he has made, filled to the point that his wife has suggested that no more art go in the front yard. To be fair, there are a lot of steel fish:

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

There are also these balanced rocks, perhaps known as axial stones.  It is possible that these are enhanced by internal rebar.

Quirky Berkeley in Berkeley Calif, on December 30th, 2015.

2219 Marin

Waste not, want not –

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

Nagamoto cut used welding gas tanks and fashioned large wind chimes.  Very large.

With the spousal ban on any more front yard art, the back yard is filling out nicely. Nagamoto’s work area is at the north end of his driveway.

2219 Marin

2219 Marin

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

Below the Private Property sign are no-longer-in-use welding torch head tubes and tips, now purely decorative.

Through a moon-gate and past a musical deer fence – the backyard.

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff.

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff.

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

Mike Nagamoto. Photo: Colleen Neff

Mike Nagamoto. Photo: Colleen Neff

Mike Nagamoto.  Photo: Colleen Neff

Mike Nagamoto. Photo: Colleen Neff

The backyard is filled with his sculpture and stag horn ferns.  They are native to tropical areas, but are doing well in Nagamoto’s back yard.  Some are very old.

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

Abalone shells (the family dives) at 2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

Son Seth, 6 years old, at 2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

Portuguese horseshoes at 2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

Portuguese horseshoes at 2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

2219 Marin. Photo: Colleen Neff

A front yard around the corner from Marin on Spruce features a school of Nagamoto rusty fish.

1074-Spruce-11

1074 Spruce

L1160062

1074 Spruce

Riggy Rackin sent me this photo of a Nagamoto fish.

Riggy Rackin Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor

Photo: Riggy Rackin

It is found at the San Pablo Yacht Harbor.

Some of Nagamoto’s work is for sale at the Buddhist Center of America’s bookstore at 2140 Durant (at Fulton),

Nagamoto fish for sale at   Photo: Colleen Neff

Nagamoto fish for sale at BCA Bookstore. Photo: Colleen Neff

To Those In The Know, the building is known as the Howard Showroom on account of its first owner.  The jewel of Art Deco design was the work of architect Frederick Reimers.

Back to Nagamoto.  What a prince of Berkeley quirk he is. A self-effacing, humble, bemused retired fire fighter, a welder, a diver, a lover of stag horn ferns – and an artist to boot.  This is a Quirky Berkeley Landmark, and so is Nagamoto.

I took the photos to my friend.  He jumped up and put on music.

Neil_Young_Rust_Never_Sleeps

“Released in 1979.  We thought that the sixties were long ago then.  Try now!  Neil was trying to avoid artistic complacency.”

Fine. Well and good.  But what about Nagamoto?  “I dig the dude.”  What about the photos?

IMG_3677-225x300

 

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3 Responses to Mike Nagamoto – Welder (and artist) at Work on Marin

  1. doug heine says:
    January 30, 2016 at 10:08 pm

    Thomas,
    Another Berkeley treasure !!!!!

    Thank you, Doug

    Reply
  2. Mary Ann Brewin says:
    January 31, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    I love seeing what you find each time, but seldom comment 🙁 Keep the quirky coming, please.
    It enriches the mind! And thanks!

    Reply
  3. Jana Olson says:
    February 17, 2016 at 11:25 pm

    A never ending cornucopia of delights!

    Reply

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