Japan enjoys an incredibly rich cultural heritage, and is also a great source of inspiration for many artists due to its nature and traditions. Between the end of April and the beginning of May, there are four national holidays which are grouped in the so-called Golden Week (Ōgon Shūkan in Japanese). April 29th is Shōwa Day, May 3rd is Constitution Day, May 4th is Greenery Day and May 5th is Children’s day.
The following Japanese artists created artworks in view of the Japanese Flash Sale at the end of the month. Let’s find out who they are and what drove their creative spirits towards the Golden Week this year. If you want to discover all Japanese artists on SINGULART, you can do this by following this link.
Kaoru Shibuta
“The forests of Kyoto are full of fresh greenery. Morning and evening walks refresh me and they are a treasure trove of inspiration.”
Kaoru Shibuta is an artist who works in close contact with music and his paintings usually act as visual transformations of musical notes. However, his works also carry deeper meanings. ‘Vibrations’ for instance, incorporates the sound of a Patwine, a Myanmare musical instrument: Kaoru aims to shed light on the state of emergency in the country. ‘Shinto’ on the other hand, is based on traditional ethnic and natural beliefs generated among ethnic groups in Japan. As we may see, architecture of shrines, temples and shrine carpenters transpire from his work. The Golden week is a time for him to find happiness in the fresh greenery forests of Kyoto.
Shinjiro Tanaka
“The Golden Week makes me reconsider my roots and Japanese history.”
Shinjiro Tanaka is an award-winning artist who explores the multifaceted nature of humankind. The Golden Week is a special time for him to reflect on Japanese history and his own roots. He elaborates on the natural disasters and the power of Japan to regenerate itself from tragedies. In fact, his artworks reflect his prayers for peace, the respect of nature, the care seeked for children and the search for freedom. He reminds the audience to reconsider the joy and beauty of living.
Yuichi Sato
“The Golden Week is a time to take time for myself and face myself”
Yuichi Sato is an emerging artist who strives to communicate positivity through landscapes mainly characterised by fantasy scenes. His works featured during the Golden Week sale have been deeply inspired by nature and animals in the Japanese ecosystem. According to Yuichi, the most significant day of this national week is definitely the Greenery day, which is the time to express gratitude and to cherish nature.
Even if the pandemic restricts us from wandering free in nature, Yuichi’s forest themed landscapes allow us to experience fresh air and colors through paint.
Tomoya N
Tomoya N is an established painter whose body of work is made of a range of styles, gathering subjects such as animals, cityscapes and semi-abstract portraiture. The Golden week is part of his daily inspiration and he is influenced by old Japanese artists and paintings with a particular focus on colours.
Takuma Tanaka
“I hope my works enable us to travel to the other worlds.”
Takuma Tanaka, is an artist who explores the idea that all living beings are connected to each other. He is deeply influenced by Japanese culture, stating that Japanese culture is like air to him: natural and essential.
During the Golden Week many Japanese decide to take a vacation abroad, however this year – due to the pandemic – everyone has to stay home, in Japan. Therefore, Takuma searches for ways to let our minds go abroad, to travel to other worlds. The first vacation day and the last day are the most important to him, a little like our own lives where “the first day is the birthday and the final day is a day to die”.
