Blogs

Toko Shinoda: A Bold, Beautiful Lady

Toko Shinoda: A Bold, Beautiful Lady

Posted by Yukiko Kisaki on 26th Apr 2017

Toko Shinoda is a leading Japanese avant-garde painter who just turned 104. For over seventy years she has kept on creating bold, evocative art which speaks from her heart. Toko-san created the p … read more
Place Where There Are No Strangers

Place Where There Are No Strangers

Posted by Momoko Kagamizu on 5th Mar 2017

under cherry blossoms’ shade even those whom we don’t know are not strangers (Issa Kobayashi, 1819) When we can share feelings with others, they are no longer strangers. If we have em … read more
This Red Lily is a Visitor From Another World

This Red Lily is a Visitor From Another World

Posted by Yoshi Kai on 22nd Sep 2016

Autumn has just arrived in Japan, and the mystical, other-worldly looking higanbana (red spider lily, Lycoris radiata) is in bloom. It's time for the Japanese to return to their family homes fo … read more
The Legend of Satsue Mito

The Legend of Satsue Mito

Posted by Yoshi Kai on 10th Mar 2016

April 7 marks the 102nd birthday of Satsue Mito (April 21, 1914 – April 7, 2012). I had the good fortune of meeting Mito-sensei, as everybody lovingly called her, in 2007. She was a tender wo … read more
A Passion for Cherry Blossoms

A Passion for Cherry Blossoms

Posted by Momoko Kagamizu on 5th Mar 2015

In Japan, passion for cherry blossoms run deeps and anticipating their arrival every spring borders on a national obsession.Pictures above are from nightly news national TV broadcasts in early March. … read more