FFD editorial team

In this website, we will dig deeper through interviews with active Japanese artists to find out what issues they are currently facing and what they feel about creating their works. You will be able to learn how Japanese traditional culture is being passed down today and how it is changing with the times, depending on the artist. Through this website, we hope that you will learn about the activities and works of Japanese artists, and that you will see and collect them when you travel to Japan. The activities of Japanese artists will help enrich your life and the lives of your loved ones. FFD Editorial Board

History of Cat Painting & Cat Art — The Journey of Cats and Civilization

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History of Cat Painting & Cat Art — The Journey of Cats and Civilization This page explores how the cultural symbolism of cats has evolved across eras and regions through painting and visual art. Rather than treating cat art as a mere “history of beauty,” we read it as a mirror that reflects how humans relate to animals, nature, domestic life, gender, and even the sacred. From the divine guardians of ancient Egypt to the beloved internet icons of the digital age, we trace the sociological and anthropological shifts of cats in art across time and place. Ancient Egypt: Cats as Sacred Companions and Social Order Cats’ practical role in … Read more

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 January 15, 2025 (Wed) – January 21, 2025 (Tue) Yoshiko Nakagami & Yoshimi Kano Two-Person Exhibition Isetan Tachikawa Store (W 19J) January 22 (Wed) – 28 (Tue), 2025: Yuki Saito Multi-Layer Glass Painting Solo Exhibition, Isetan Tachikawa Store March 5 (Wed) – 11 (Tue), 2025: Nancy Morozon Solo Exhibition “Spring Breeze Romance”, Isetan Urawa Store April 2 (Wed) – 8 (Tue), 2025: SPRING ROOM Exhibition, … 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

The Cedar tree is like a grandfather to me, it’s why I paint trees – Interview with Nihonga artist Masami Shitara (part 1)

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Growing up in Yamagata, Masami was surrounded by trees, which deeply influenced her paintings. Please enjoy reading this interview by the FFD editorial team! Interview with Nihonga artist Masami Shitara (part 1) I started drawing thanks to a set of crayons and a sketchbook given to me by my grandfather Thank you for taking the time for this interview today. What got you into drawing when you were little? My grandfather gave me a set of crayons and a sketchbook for my birthday, and that was how I fell in love with drawing. What a lovely gift. What kind of drawings did you do at that early age? I used … Read more