The roots of life

Time flies and August has come to an end and we are now in September.

The night breeze in Fukuoka is cool these days, and you can feel the signs of autumn in the air.

How did you all spend your summer?

I moved house and also went to Irodoriyama in Wakayama to interview and take photographs at the home of Shoda and his wife Arisa Kawai.

[Interview article -Shota-]

Dialogue - Laughter -

Shoda is an artist who captures a wide range of emotions and portrays the natural charm of each person. We asked him about the thoughts he puts into the portraits he draws.

[Interview -Arisa Kawai-]

Dialogue - Arisa Kawai -

Arisa started making accessories using plants around the time she quit her job as a company employee.

It had been a year since I last met Shoda and Arisa, when we visited them at the Michinoku Art Festival Yamagata Biennale last summer.

Compared to last summer's scorching heat, this year's weather was heavy rain and strong winds on the first day of filming.

Miraculously, the weather cleared up around noon on the final day, and just after we finished filming the interviews and performances, we happened to see rainbow-colored clouds.

The view from here exudes the beauty and irresistible power of nature.

As one person said, "When I decided to put down roots here and stay until I die, I felt like my life had finally begun to take root," and the sight of people living in a place where they have found a permanent residence makes us realize that lifestyles are like a mirror that shows not only values ​​but also a way of life itself.

And finally, starting on Saturday, September 18th, as part of Utsushiki's 6th anniversary project, the exhibition of works by Shoda and Kawai Arisa, "Tamakiharu", will begin.

What kind of scenery will unfold on the screen? What kind of world will it be the entrance to? I can't help but look forward to it.

As part of the anniversary plans, we are also planning a portrait session for Shoda and a singing session for Arisa in the cafe, as well as a dinner party with millet , which has a close connection with Shoda and Arisa.

There are only a few seats left for some sessions, so if you are interested, please contact Utsushiki as soon as possible.

We hope you look forward to the rest of the interview, along with the footage that will be updated on Utsushiki's YouTube channel .

Let's have a lot of learning this week too.

Yoshiaki Ono