Moonlit Night 〈Sei〉 As a fan maker, Yoshimoto has always said, “Fans reflect the Japanese view of nature and sense of beauty.” 

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Moonlit Night 〈Sei〉 Illuminated by the bright moonlight, the bamboo grove appears to float. The interplay of moonlight and bamboo light… I imagined such a scene as I put pen to paper.Bamboo is also known as “blue gentleman” or “blue lord.”Ancient poets seemed to associate it with the fresh vitality that pierces the sky, the overflowing life force, and the image of flight.  In China, bamboo has long been considered one of the Four Gentlemen, along with orchids, plum blossoms, and chrysanthemums. However, the bamboo grove viewed from afar is full of emotion and never ceases to evoke nostalgia in the Japanese. Tadanori Yoshimoto’s Kasenga The term “kasenga” is a … Read more

Interview with artist Yoshimi Kanou. Your strength and vulnerability are what makes you beautiful! 

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In conversation with Yoshimi Kanou, we talk about her life as an artist. Please enjoy reading this interview by Imoko Ichinose! Interview with artist Yoshimi Kanou. Your strength and vulnerability are what makes you beautiful!  I grew up surrounded by animals, the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other side. Your works are noted for the patchwork animal features (the cut-and-paste expressions of various cloth and art materials). In this interview, I would like to dig deeper to find out a little more about your creativity and work style. Have you always been an animal person? I was born in Matsue City in Shimane prefecture. I grew … Read more

No machine has ever existed like it, nor ever will again. 

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I first became interested in ocean liners when I was around 9 years old. Before air travel, the best way to travel was on an ocean liner. However, the world’s most famous ocean liner was a spectacular failure. Everyone knows the story of the Titanic because it failed. The Titanic’s designer prioritized decoration over functionality, resulting in over 1500 deaths. The Titanic’s designers thought lifeboats were ugly, so decided not to put enough on board. The Titanic’s watertight compartments did not extend high enough to prevent the ship from flooding. On her very first voyage, the Titanic sunk in a colosal catastrophe which remains well known to this day.Would a … Read more

List of Exhibitions (2025) *Updated as needed

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2025 Fukufukudo Gallery Uehara’s special exhibition Updated as needed December 31, 2024 (Tue) – January 7, 2025 (Tue) Maria Mizoguchi Japanese Painting Exhibition Isetan Urawa Store Art Salon (31J, Y) December 31, 2024 (Tue) – January 7, 2025 (Tue) Koji Kobayashi Solo Exhibition Isetan Urawa Store 6th Floor The Stage #6 Art January 15 (Wed) – 21 (Tue), 2025: Yoshiko Nakagami and Yoshimi Kano Two-Person Exhibition Isetan Tachikawa Store 8th Floor Art Gallery (W 19J) January 22 (Wed) – 28 (Tue), 2025: Yuki Saito Multi-Layer Glass Painting Exhibition “Reflection” at Isetan Tachikawa Store 8th Floor Art Gallery March 5 (Wed) – 11 (Tue), 2025: Nancy Morozon Solo Exhibition “Spring Breeze … Read more

Yuki Saito Small Exhibition with GOLD LEAF CHALLENGE

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Yuki Saito Small Exhibitionwith GOLD LEAF CHALLENGE Thursday, February 27 – Sunday, March 2, 202511:00 – 18:00, closing at 16:00 on the last dayAdmission to the exhibition is free. HILTOPIA ART Square（Access） ◆GOLD LEAF CHALLENGE The fee for the gold leaf application experience is 3,000 yen (tax included).Let’s try applying it to shogi pieces or anything you like! Organizer: Gallery FFD Tokyo HILTOPIA ART Square（Access）

Interview with Nihonga artist, Maria Mizoguchi “I want to live to be 120 and continue painting!”

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Interview with Nihonga artist Maria Mizoguchi by art consultant Takashi Watari. Maria will hold a solo exhibition at the Isetan Urawa store in Saitama City starting December 31, 2024. Please enjoy! Related article: Interview with Nihonga artist, Maria Mizoguchi Interview with Nihonga artist, Maria Mizoguchi; “I want to live to be 120 and continue to paint!” I want this exhibition to invite good fortune in the New Year You’ll have a solo exhibition from December 31st over the New Year, at the Isetan Urawa store in Saitama. This past October, you held a trio exhibition in the same space with Rina Hasegawa and Hiromi Torimoto. In the October exhibition, I … Read more

Painting as a hobby never crossed my mind – Interview with Nihonga artist, Rie Saito

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Interview with Nihonga artist, Rie Saito. Saito will hold a solo exhibition at Isetan Urawa Store starting December 4, 2024. Please enjoy reading this interview by the art consultant Takashi Watari! Related article: Interview with artist, Rie Saito (part 1)Related article: Interview with artist, Rie Saito (part 2) Radio version, AI voice reading (Youtube) Painting as a hobby never crossed my mind – Interview with Nihonga artist, Rie Saito Ideas come to me at night; I make refined sketches in the morning. Your solo exhibition is coming up soon and I understand you must be busy. What kind of schedule do you keep every day? I used to plan my … Read more

The artist who depicts animals in ruined settings, with a love for both life and what has been lost – Interview with artist, Nanako Kashiwagi

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I had the pleasure of interviewing Nihonga artist Nanako Kashiwagi. Enjoy the interview! Interview with artist, Nanako Kashiwagi Childhood Struggles: Moving Frequently and Finding Solace in Zoos  Thank you for joining us today. Could you start by telling us a little about your childhood? Absolutely. As a child, I was really passionate about drawing. From my earliest memories, I was always doodling, creating little sketches whenever I had the chance. I enjoyed playing outside too—tag and the swings with friends from kindergarten—but drawing was what I truly loved. I’d often draw animals, family, and friends. When I was in early elementary school, my parents often took me to the zoo … Read more