The Roots of My Painting

"Where did we come from? Who are we? Where do we go from here?" In my younger days, I explored the same questions that captivated Paul Gauguin, desiring to know the answer through my study of philosophy at school. Philosophy, however, did not provide me with an ultimate answer as new 'isms' and schools of thoughts emerged one after another. Later, I have decided to seek the answers to those questions through paintings. The reason why I chose paintings for such purpose may have something to do with the artistic atmosphere in which I grew up . My father and grandfather were both Noh mask sculptors, which is rare even in Japan. My journey in search of the mind, soul and universe took me into various experiences and pursuits and finally has led me to the painting of "Ki"(spiritual energy).

 

The Color Blue

Most of my paintings are based on blue tones. Looking back, it may be linked to the sky blue in my childhood memory, but more importantly, blue is a truly sublime color that reverberates eternity in us, as seen in the first cosmonaut's comment that the earth was shining blue. It is the perfect color to express the invisible spirit and soul. Psychologists say blue smoothes down our spirit. Blue colors in my paintings are produced by applying paint and pastel on top of another more than ten layers. The translucent blue colors that can be seen through upper layers of color transform itself into a myriad of tones, recalling the sublime that we have long forgotten.

 

Paintings of 21st Century

We are now in the 21st century. During the last century, regret to say, we have created a lot of problems in the various fields including destructions and confusions which have been accumulated and are yet to be solved. Those problems have originally been caused by the polluted mind and soul of human beings. I believe, therefore, we will have to reconsider what and how our minds and souls should be in the 21st century, otherwise our planet earth will reach to the cliff of crisis. Now, we need paintings and other forms of art to make us aware how our mind should really be. In my quest for the mind and soul world for nearly three decades, I have grasped the feeling of genuine cosmic love through the act of painting. I realized that the answer manifests itself when you begin to see all things from a cosmic viewpoint, It is my earnest hope that my paintings would offer the love and energy of universe to many people's mind.