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Backstage

June 2026

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Dinning with Dr. Chase Robinson, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Asian Art Museum, and Mr. Yoichi Inoue, Director of the Nara National Museum, asking their advices on a folding screen I am creating for the Tokyo National Museum. They are both specialized in ancient archaeologies and cultures, I am seeking their guidance regarding one of the screens, which will focuses on the colors of the Asuka period.

Dinning with Dr. Chase Robinson, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Asian Art Museum, and Mr. Yoichi Inoue, Director of the Nara National Museum, asking their advices on a folding screen I am creating for the Tokyo National Museum. They are both specialized in ancient archaeologies and cultures, I am seeking their guidance regarding one of the screens, which will focuses on the colors of the Asuka period.

At the dedication ceremony for the Kitakata Branch of Daitoku-ji Juko-in. I was commissioned to paint a set of *fusuma* (sliding door panels) that are quite avant-garde, with each panel featuring a different color. Surprisingly, the Buddhist altar blends well naturally. This experience gave me a renewed appreciation for the radical sensibility in Zen Buddhism.  

At the dedication ceremony for the Kitakata Branch of Daitoku-ji Juko-in. I was commissioned to paint a set of *fusuma* (sliding door panels) that are quite avant-garde, with each panel featuring a different color. Surprisingly, the Buddhist altar blends well naturally. This experience gave me a renewed appreciation for the radical sensibility in Zen Buddhism.
 

At the reception following the dedication ceremony, I had the opportunity to speak at length with Reverend Kodō Onozawa, the head priest of Daitoku-ji Jukō-in. My works have thus encompassed the fusuma paintings for all the temples in the lineage: the main temple in Kyoto, the Ito branch temple, and this Kitakata branch temple. Reverend Onozawa made the special trip from Kyoto to attend the event.

At the reception following the dedication ceremony, I had the opportunity to speak at length with Reverend Kodō Onozawa, the head priest of Daitoku-ji Jukō-in. My works have thus encompassed the fusuma paintings for all the temples in the lineage: the main temple in Kyoto, the Ito branch temple, and this Kitakata branch temple. Reverend Onozawa made the special trip from Kyoto to attend the event.

When I visited the Kitakata Branch of Daitoku-ji Juko-in, I was just in time to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom, as the temple is located in the Tohoku region. Encountering such magnificent blossoms, I seized every spare moment to sketch them in the sketchbook I always carry with me. Regardless of whether the sketches would eventually become finished artworks, it is the habit of a painter to imprint the scene onto one's mind through the act of sketching.

When I visited the Kitakata Branch of Daitoku-ji Juko-in, I was just in time to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom, as the temple is located in the Tohoku region. Encountering such magnificent blossoms, I seized every spare moment to sketch them in the sketchbook I always carry with me. Regardless of whether the sketches would eventually become finished artworks, it is the habit of a painter to imprint the scene onto one's mind through the act of sketching.

Late last year, I visited Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa with Mr. Shinagawa, Chairman of U-CAN, Inc. There is a noticeable temperature difference between Karuizawa and Tokyo. Chairman Shinagawa also serves as the director of the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa, which houses Hiroshi's works; the visit to the fall was made to discuss about newly unveiled works.

Late last year, I visited Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa with Mr. Shinagawa, Chairman of U-CAN, Inc. There is a noticeable temperature difference between Karuizawa and Tokyo. Chairman Shinagawa also serves as the director of the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa, which houses Hiroshi's works; the visit to the fall was made to discuss about newly unveiled works.

Last winter, when I visited Shiraito Falls with Mr. Shinagawa, we discussed various ideas to capture the fall in a painting. The falls possessed a remarkable transparency and a diverse array of water flows. Light shine the rocks behind the waterfall, allowing a multitude of colors to reach the eye through the veil of water. Drawing inspiration from these qualities, I created a new painting that is currently on display at the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa.

Last winter, when I visited Shiraito Falls with Mr. Shinagawa, we discussed various ideas to capture the fall in a painting. The falls possessed a remarkable transparency and a diverse array of water flows. Light shine the rocks behind the waterfall, allowing a multitude of colors to reach the eye through the veil of water. Drawing inspiration from these qualities, I created a new painting that is currently on display at the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa.

We have a long-standing relationship. I sincerely hope Mr. Shinagawa continues to enjoy great health for many years to come.   Karuizawa Hiroshi Senju Museum: 2026 Exhibition – YouTube Link

We have a long-standing relationship. I sincerely hope Mr. Shinagawa continues to enjoy great health for many years to come.

 

Karuizawa Hiroshi Senju Museum: 2026 Exhibition – YouTube Link

Dinning with Dr. Chase Robinson, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Asian Art Museum, and Mr. Yoichi Inoue, Director of the Nara National Museum, asking their advices on a folding screen I am creating for the Tokyo National Museum. They are both specialized in ancient archaeologies and cultures, I am seeking their guidance regarding one of the screens, which will focuses on the colors of the Asuka period.
At the dedication ceremony for the Kitakata Branch of Daitoku-ji Juko-in. I was commissioned to paint a set of *fusuma* (sliding door panels) that are quite avant-garde, with each panel featuring a different color. Surprisingly, the Buddhist altar blends well naturally. This experience gave me a renewed appreciation for the radical sensibility in Zen Buddhism.  
At the reception following the dedication ceremony, I had the opportunity to speak at length with Reverend Kodō Onozawa, the head priest of Daitoku-ji Jukō-in. My works have thus encompassed the fusuma paintings for all the temples in the lineage: the main temple in Kyoto, the Ito branch temple, and this Kitakata branch temple. Reverend Onozawa made the special trip from Kyoto to attend the event.
When I visited the Kitakata Branch of Daitoku-ji Juko-in, I was just in time to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom, as the temple is located in the Tohoku region. Encountering such magnificent blossoms, I seized every spare moment to sketch them in the sketchbook I always carry with me. Regardless of whether the sketches would eventually become finished artworks, it is the habit of a painter to imprint the scene onto one's mind through the act of sketching.
Late last year, I visited Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa with Mr. Shinagawa, Chairman of U-CAN, Inc. There is a noticeable temperature difference between Karuizawa and Tokyo. Chairman Shinagawa also serves as the director of the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa, which houses Hiroshi's works; the visit to the fall was made to discuss about newly unveiled works.
Last winter, when I visited Shiraito Falls with Mr. Shinagawa, we discussed various ideas to capture the fall in a painting. The falls possessed a remarkable transparency and a diverse array of water flows. Light shine the rocks behind the waterfall, allowing a multitude of colors to reach the eye through the veil of water. Drawing inspiration from these qualities, I created a new painting that is currently on display at the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa.
We have a long-standing relationship. I sincerely hope Mr. Shinagawa continues to enjoy great health for many years to come.   Karuizawa Hiroshi Senju Museum: 2026 Exhibition – YouTube Link