Today, Sunday, October 19 at 6:00 PM, I completed the takedown and officially closed my exhibition at Dojidai Gallery.
This was my third time exhibiting there—one of my favorite galleries in the Kansai region.
This year has been quite a journey:
January – Gallery Q
February – DEN Gallery
March – LIL YACE
April – World Art Dubai
May – Art Runway Otsu
July – Art Runway Tokyo and my solo exhibition at the Former Otsu Public Hall
September – Art Runway Shibuya
And finally, October – a two-person exhibition at Dojidai Gallery.
For this show, I created eight new works, and considering the intense schedule, I truly want to praise myself for making it through.
There’s so much I want to say when I look back, but first, I’m deeply moved by how many people came to see the exhibition.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Although I couldn’t be present every day—and I regret missing a few visitors—it was such a joy to reconnect with people who remembered me from last year, those who found me through Instagram, those who added the show to their weekend plans after seeing the art website, long-time supporters, fellow artists, and friends from my hometown and school days.
To have so many people see my work—it felt like floating up to the heavens.
Thank you for making me this happy. I love you all.
This exhibition was filled with pure happiness.
First, just finishing the works in time brought huge relief—and tears when they were finally up on the wall.
In the past, every exhibition left me struggling with a “sense of separation.”
During creation, I live in harmony—with myself, with the divine, in acceptance and love.
But once the works are on display, I used to fall into self-criticism and exhaustion.
This time, something changed.
I was able to stay in alignment with myself throughout.
Even being present at the gallery—something that used to feel draining—was completely peaceful.
I finally feel that my connection with my works has deepened.
Perhaps this, too, is one of the beautiful side effects of Art Runway.
Lastly, let me share a small story from the exhibition period.
Before the show, I injured my right arm and have been visiting the hospital and a massage clinic for treatment.
It was during one of those massage sessions that a meaningful conversation unfolded…
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Why do you exhibit your artworks? Is it to sell them?
I’d be happy if they sell, of course, but that’s not the reason I exhibit.
Then is it to satisfy your desire for recognition—to have many people see your work?
Not really. Even if I sell nothing, even if few people come to see it, I never feel that it was “meaningless.”
Then why do you hold exhibitions at all?
Because I want to. …But I know that doesn’t really explain it, does it?
No, it doesn’t. I’d appreciate it if you could put it into words. I honestly don’t understand how people who exhibit art feel.
Perhaps you still won’t understand even if I try to explain—but if I had to put it into words, I’d say:
“It’s a service to the divine.”
And if I were to add one more phrase,
“It’s an act of reclaiming my own divinity.”
That’s what exhibiting art means to me.
I see… I still don’t quite get it, but thank you for putting it into words.
I’m not particularly a spiritualist, but I feel that creating and exhibiting art is very much like a sacred ritual.
It’s similar to offering the blessings of the earth to the deities of nature, taking a newborn to a shrine for their first visit, or holding a wedding ceremony at a temple or shrine.
When we take a baby to a shrine, it’s not simply to ask for protection.
It’s more like saying to the gods,
“Please witness this life. This precious being has been born.”
In the same way, an exhibition feels like saying,
“This work has been born.”
“This light has descended into this world.”
It’s both a report of creation and an offering of gratitude.
Perhaps it’s less about “showing the work” and more about returning the act of creation to the heavens—
a way of giving back what has taken form in this world.
Offering crops, bringing a baby to a shrine—
these are acts of gratitude and blessing that say,
“Life exists here. Thank you.”
My exhibitions share the same structure.
The only difference is that what I offer is art—the form of my soul.
It’s not about religion or spirituality,
but rather a fundamental human act—
a natural cycle of creation → gratitude → offering → blessing.
When someone asked me,
“Why do you exhibit your work? Is it to sell art?”
I was honestly surprised.
But I’m glad I was able to put this feeling into words.
Each day continues to teach me so much.