Growing up in the countryside of Japan, I was raised by my grandmother who nurtured in me a deep appreciation for Japanese classical literature, cuisine, calligraphy, and traditional arts. As a teenager, however, my curiosity was piqued by the allure of Western culture - the electrifying energy of rock music (I was crazy, crazy, crazy for Aerosmith), the stylish European movies (Vincent Perez in "Indochina"), and the captivating classical ballet (I was a devoted fan of Farukh Ruzimatov). I wanted to explore the world, but opportunities were scarce in my small town, so I ended up taking an administrative position at a nearby private university. I spent 25 years working there. I felt as though I was missing out on something greater.
My life took an unexpected turn when my husband considered moving to Taiwan for his career. I left my job at the university and decided to follow him. Unable to find work in Taiwan, I finally chose to embrace my passion for art and became a curator, introducing young Japanese artists in Taipei. I also began creating my own calligraphy pieces, an art I had learned from my grandmother.
However, despite some positive critiques and sales of my artwork, I found myself plagued by a lack of confidence and an overwhelming impostor complex. Each new piece felt inadequate, and eventually, the impostor complex grew so strong that I stopped creating altogether. Reflecting back on both this period and my childhood, I think the impostor complex is deeply embedded in the Japanese education system, where shame replaces curiosity as the main driver. Japanese education rarely nurtures people; instead, it tends to devalue them.
It wasn't until the COVID pandemic halted my curator activities and brought me back to Japan, this time to Tokyo, that my journey took another turn. In the heart of the city, I rediscovered the exquisite beauty of Japanese traditions, arts, and cuisine, and found myself surrounded by many artists and experts in various fields.
This renewed my motivation to create calligraphy once again. While I still struggle with the impostor complex, I am learning to control it. My calligraphy now serves as an expression of my love for Japan's traditions. With each stroke, I strive to create a synesthetic experience where my five senses fuse through the brush into the ink, and onto the paper. I also felt honoured and fortunate when a huge company like Lego asked me to work on a project with them.
As an artist, my aspiration is to share this singular blend of tradition and self-expression with others. Through my calligraphy, I invite you to join me on my journey of rediscovery and reconnection with the rich tapestry of Japanese culture.
Bellow is an artwork that mixes acrylic paint and calligraphy. It says "Illumination", a kanji that represents my appreciation for life.
It is available on Artsper.
Thank you!
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