About my painting technique
Mixed medium is a Renaissance technique. This is a very time-consuming and labor-intensive technique in which plaster is applied several times to the board, the surface is polished, and then the oil and white tempera are painted on top of each other.
However, the white tempera enhances the coloring effect from beneath the oil, creating a subtle harmony of colors. It is also suitable for detailed depiction, which is perfect for my way of expression. Currently, due to the high humidity in Japan, I have changed from plaster base to gesso, and the solvent used for tempera has also been changed from egg to a French solvent.
About the Virgin and Child series that she has been painting since 2000
The technique is from the Renaissance period, and I was very fascinated by the painters of that time. I started by copying Raphael, Carlo. Crivelli started by copying Raphael, Carlo Crivelli, etc., and gradually moved on to original Madonna and Child. I was familiar with the Bible from junior high school and high school, so I learned a lot from Renaissance paintings as well as their techniques without feeling any discomfort.
Into His Land.
M40 / 1000×651mm
The technique is from the Renaissance period, and I was very fascinated by the painters of that time. I started by copying Raphael, Carlo. Crivelli started by copying Raphael, Carlo Crivelli, etc., and gradually moved on to original Madonna and Child. I was familiar with the Bible from junior high school and high school, so I learned a lot from Renaissance paintings as well as their techniques without feeling any discomfort.
About Revelation and Genesis
In 2010, I began the challenge of illustrating the difficult book of Revelation. Although it was difficult to express in pictures, I tried to express the contents as faithfully as possible so that the viewers could visualize the book.
Later, I painted the book of Genesis, completing the first and last chapters of the Bible.
Japanese Mythology: How did the Kojiki come about?
In 2020, I had a chance to work with Kasagi Gallery, which encouraged me to paint the legend of Princess Ototachibana hime from Japanese mythology, Kojiki. The timing was good, as I had originally begun to be interested in the Japanese mythology of Kojiki.
Princess Ototachibanahime seen 1
M20 / 500×730mm
The first scene was a scene in which villagers see off a ship carrying Yamatotakeru and his party from Hashirimizu, Yokosuka, to Chiba on the other side of the river.
Princess Ototachibanahime seen 2
M20 / 500×730mm
In the next scene, the ship carrying Yamatotakeru and his party begins to turn around in the midst of the raging sea god and refuses to proceed.
To appease his anger, his wife, Princess Ototachibana hime, threw herself into the sea. This is a beautiful legend of ultimate unconditional love. In my painting, Princess Ototachibana hime throws herself into the sea, and the expression on her beautiful face expresses her joyful surrender of her life into the hands of the gods. The Princess Ototachibana hime is still enshrined at the Hasirimizu-jinja Shrine in Yokosuka.
Princess Ototachibanahime seen 3
M20 / 500×730mm
The last scene is a tribute to The Princess Ototachibana hime, who watches over the safety of ships passing in and out of Uraga Bay, and I drew a beautiful scene of a dove of peace flying high in the sky in the glow of a rainbow.
Afterwards, feeling the importance of passing on Japanese folk tales, we painted Urashima Taro and Princess Kaguya hime, who are well known to everyone in Japan
Princess Konohanasakuya no hime
F4 / 334×242mm
Princess Konohanasakuya-no-hime is a goddess of strength who gave birth in a fire, and was worshipped as the goddess of safe childbirth and the god of fire on Mt.
Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine is now a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.
Fuji and cherry blossoms are famous symbols of Japan, but they are also associated with Princess Konohanasakuya.-no-hime
The model is Rumi Shinoda, the third runner-up of Miss Universe 2017, who has an Indian mother and a Japanese father. As such, the model, Rumi Shinoda, was a perfect match for us.
The Legend of the Dragon's Palace
F20 / 727×600mm
Many Japanese children have read the picture book Urashima Taro. Taro is guided to the bottom of the sea by a turtle he rescued, where he spends three happy years with Princess Oto hime. On his return to the surface, Taro opens a gift box that he was told not to open, and in an instant he becomes an old man. In this story, the turtle is a messenger from heaven, and the deep ocean depths are compared to the heavenly world. The earthly world and the heavenly world in which Taro lived are also reincarnations, and the fact that he grows old in an instant also represents the fleeting nature of life. He had a good time in the heavenly realm, but when he returns to earth, he is back to reality. This is one such metaphor.
The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter Princess Kaguya hime
F15 / 651×530mm
When a grandfather cut a shining bamboo, a beautiful baby girl came out from inside. After that, she is carefully raised by her grandfather and grandmother. However, on the full moon day of August, Princess Kaguya hime returns to the moon world. Originally, Princess Kaguya hime was a resident of the moon world, and she returned to the moon because she had fulfilled her role on earth and healed the hearts of her grandfather and grandmother. We painstakingly depicted the pure and beautiful expression of Princess Kaguya hime and the shining world of the moon. The flowers in the lower part of the picture are traditional Japanese autumn flowers. (Model is Rumi Shinoda)
I have been fascinated by myths and Japanese folk tales for a long time.
Myths and folktales are not ridiculous stories, but contain lessons taught in relation to the heavens, important things about living as a human being, and power. I try to convey the laws of the universe and the ancient teachings handed down from generation to generation in pictures that are easy to understand for the people of today. I believe that this is one of my life's work. I believe that Indian mythology also contains many important messages about the teachings and wisdom of God and life. In the future, I would like to make pictures of Indian myths and convey them to India, Japan, and the world.
Symbiosis with Nature "Goddess of the Forest"
F8 / 455×379mm
The importance of becoming one with nature and the universe, sharpening our senses and becoming one with nature. The Goddess of the Forest is our guiding goddess, and when we close our eyes and listen carefully, we can hear her message.
The Brave Man of the Gentle Forest
M20 / 727×530mm
Judging by its appearance, the gorilla has a frightening image, but in reality it is a brave man of the forest with a kind heart who also shares his heart with a beautiful woman. A peaceful moment spent in the company of forest friends. This is a world where nature, humans, and animals coexist in harmony, a worldview that will be sought after in the coming age. (Model is Rumi Shinoda)
Dedication of Cherry Blossom Mandala and donation of the statue of the Virgin and Child
We dedicated and donated our works to Komyouin Temple in Koyasan and a monastery in Pokhara, Nepal.
The "Cherry Blossom Mandala" depicts Dainichi Nyorai.1997 "Cherry Blossom Mandala" dedicated at Komyoin Temple, Koyasan
1997 Pokhara Monastery, Nepal: "Madonna and Child"
1997 Koyasan Komyoin Temple, Koyasan: "Cherry Blossom Mandala
Other Works
To the Kannon Series
Originally, I was also attracted to Kannon-sama, so at the recommendation of Kasagi Gallery, I painted several pieces in the Kannon-sama series next.
As Art Works.
No.1 and No.2 are the book bindings of novels published by Hayakawa Shobo in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
I am Eve" and "Magical Daughter. No.3 is the cover of Asano Research Institute's monthly magazine from 2000 to the present.
I have drawn various things from the Bible, Japanese mythology, Kojiki, Kannon, folklore, and nature, and I have become convinced that the true teachings of God are one and the same, regardless of nationality or race, and that under God, all things are connected and oneness.
The backbone of my work is my faith in and reverence for God. My belief is to fulfill this mission as God's hands and feet.
If many people can find joy in life and peace of mind through my paintings, it will give me joy in life as well.