YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY BEGAN WITH SELF-PLANNED EXHIBITIONS IN 2016. WHAT PROMPTED THIS INDEPENDENT APPROACH, AND HOW HAS IT SHAPED YOUR CAREER?

In 2016, I was an unknown newcomer. I had no choice but to organize an exhibition myself. At the time, SNS was becoming more active in Japan, and my popularity grew thanks to the publicity from visitors. This gave me confidence and courage.

YOUR WORK HAS A DISTINCTIVE STYLE, WITH BOLD COLORS AND ALMOST GRAPHIC ELEMENTS. HOW DID THIS STYLE EVOLVE, AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH IT?

I’ve always liked the type of work I create, so my current style developed naturally. I don’t have anything specific I want to convey to the audience through my style. I just draw what I love.

YOU’VE MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTRIBUTING TO YOUR HOMETOWN, OKAYAMA. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR CONNECTION TO THIS REGION AND HOW IT INFLUENCES YOUR ART?

I stayed in my hometown until I was 20. That’s where I came of age, and it’s where I was formed. Okayama is not a big city like Tokyo or Osaka, and when I was young, I didn’t really like it due to the lack of information compared to the cities. But as I’ve grown older, I now appreciate the wonderful food, nature, land, and people of my hometown that I couldn’t fully appreciate before. If my work can give back to my hometown, I think it’s only natural.

THE EYEWATER SERIES IS CAPTIVATING IN ITS EMPHASIS ON EMOTIONS AND EXPRESSIONS. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DELVE INTO THIS EXPLORATION OF HUMAN FEELINGS, AND WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE RESONATES WITH VIEWERS?

The Eyewater series features characters shedding tears, but these aren’t just sad tears. Tears can come from happiness, anger, or even dryness in the eyes. I don’t provide a clear answer to the audience because I don’t have one myself. I leave the meaning of the tears up to the audience, encouraging them to think. The answer is infinite, and I believe that’s the beauty of this work.

YOUR RECENT SOLO EXHIBITIONS IN TOKYO AND SEOUL WERE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES. HOW DID THESE EXPERIENCES DIFFER, AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM SHOWCASING YOUR WORK ON AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE?

Exhibiting at large venues or overseas is both exciting and anxiety-inducing. In Japan, when a large audience visits a venue, there can be both positive and negative reactions. I’m a timid person, so when I face rejection, I get anxious. I’ve also experienced the joy of being accepted. Stress from big exhibitions often affects my health. When exhibiting abroad, I learned that each country has different cultural rules, and some motifs or colors might not be appreciated due to cultural differences. If I focus too much on the host country, I might lose the uniqueness of my Japanese perspective, which makes it very challenging.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN 4BYSIX APPROACHED YOU FOR THIS PROJECT?

I remember being interested in donating when you approached me. However, I didn’t know how to participate in the donation project, so the timing was perfect.

WHAT INTRIGUED YOU ABOUT COLLABORATING WITH A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION?

Japan is a country prone to earthquakes and other disasters. My hometown has also suffered devastating damage from rain disasters in the past. I want to do what I can, and that’s all.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PIECE YOU CREATED FOR 4BYSIX? WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION, AND HOW DOES IT CONNECT TO YOUR BROADER BODY OF WORK?

When I looked at the material I had painted, it immediately reminded me of the night sky with countless stars. I’ve presented works with space themes before, so “space” came to mind right away.

4BYSIX’S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES THROUGH CREATIVE PROJECTS. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ART CONTRIBUTING TO THIS GOAL?

My work may still have value. Even if I created a piece with the purpose of selling it after its value decreased, it would be pointless if it didn’t sell. Since this is a work intended for donation, I think my signature works are more likely to sell than experimental pieces. So I feel I can still contribute haha.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE TO CONVEY TO THE AUDIENCE WHO WILL BE ENCOUNTERING YOUR WORK THROUGH THE 4BYSIX AUCTION?

The message may be a duplicate of what you answered in Q9. This is a work for donations to help people in need. We need money to help people. Nothing more, nothing less. If you see my work and are wondering whether to buy it, please think of it as helping someone and buy it haha.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR ART, AND HOW DO YOU SEE THIS COLLABORATION WITH 4BYSIX PLAYING A ROLE IN YOUR JOURNEY?

I’m an artist. Right now I’m exploring a lot of experimental expressions. It may not be accepted by the world. However, since I am an artist of expression, my mission is to continue to create it. I think we will continue to create something even 10 or 20 years from now. I would be happy if 4bysix could support me in various ways.