This is the later part of the 4th conversation plan by Mr. Yuki Nishimoto.We were able to widely talk about the “observational skills” and “continuation” that are important in creation and manufacturing, as well as the “future of packaging.” We were able to get a lot of hints such as a message to the leader of Japanese traditional culture, such as ink painting and packaging (wrapping and decoration).I think there are many things that are useful to everyone, so please use them as a reference.

“Observational skills” and Imitation

Mr. Isosaka: The art work decorated in the atelier, “Good artists imitate. Great artists steal” is the word of whom?

Mr. Nishimoto: This is the word of Picasso.Just as Picasso was influenced by Japanese Ukiyoe and Shunga, ink paintings have a history of about 800 years since they came to Japan from China, and I would like to learn from our predecessors and emulate them in order to create originality.

Mr. Isosaka: Imitation requires observational skills, doesn’t it?I’m referring to it as “observational skills”, when they look at the same thing, there are people who notice the difference and there are those who do not understand the difference.

I always tell our employees to imitate good things and people’s behavior.
Therefore, I’m keeping a close eye on whether there is something that I can imitate Mr. Nishimoto.

Mr. Nishimoto: Thank you.As I continue my creative work, I would like to preserve some kind of mark as a work that will remain in history. I would be happy if I could pass on the expressions, techniques, and techniques that I have created to the next generation.

Mr. Isosaka: The term “next generation” has come up, but is there anything you want to pass on to the youth of the coming generations?

Mr. Nishimoto: Oh, I’m still developing, and rather often taught by younger generations.There are things that aren’t keeping up with trends, so there’s a lot to learn from them.I am in my thirties now, so I think it is a time when I could learn from both the elder and younger generations.Not only now, but I think I’ll be studying for the rest of my life.

Mr. Isosaka: My motto is also “Study for Life, Passion for Life”.I think it’s important to study for your whole life in order to work and live with excitement throughout your life.Phrase I wrote in my book as well.

Mr. Nishimoto: Every time I wake up every morning, I say “I’m ignorant” and make myself aware that there is something I can study today.When I first started ceramic ink painting, there was a conflict at first, asking, “I wanted to master ink painting, but why?”. When I moved my studio to Fukui, I didn’t mean that at first, but when I followed people’s invitations and relationships honestly, it broadened my mind both as an artist and as a human being.

Mr. Isosaka: It’s important to act first before you think about it, isn’t it?I also try to keeping my mind open when dealing with things.And I am always encouraging this mind to our employees.I think this is not about myself not having my own will, but because I have my own will, so I can listen and take action.

Mr. Nishimoto: That’s right.In my case, I think it would be better to have obsession only in my work. But in my daily life, better to be influenced by the people around me.I want to grow absorbing everything from history as well as young people.

I was impressed by the boxing player Naoya Inoue’s game the other day, and I immediately started boxing.
When I came to Fukui, I was surrounded by greenery to improve my eyesight.

Mr. Isosaka: I see.It’s cool that you can take action quickly and open minded.There are many things that you can understand only after experiencing them.

Mr. Nishimoto: In my thirties, I am more challenging to things such as fishing, cooking, camping etc.

Mr. Isosaka: I’m sure those experiences will have a positive impact on the creative work too.I also try to take action quickly for what I think.

To like yourself

Mr. Isosaka: Finally, I would like to receive some message from our young employees and young readers reading this dialogue.

Mr. Nishimoto: I want everyone to like one’s self.I want everyone to keep trying various things.I was talking about will just now, but if you like yourself, you won’t be afraid of changing your self.

I am also in my 30s, and I have felt that I have lived in Japan where there has been no cheerful topic since I was born. I can imagine that many young people also have a similar sense of blockage.Even so, I want you to at least like yourself.

To like your self, I think you should continue to do at least one thing.Now I am appreciated to a certain extent, but I was confident that I can respond to any requests, because I have been continuing my drawing since I was unknown.

If you are not appreciated by anyone, you evaluate yourself for continuing endeavor, I think you can be a little fond of yourself.

Mr. Isosaka: I also often tell our employees that “Unless you are filled with happiness and can afford to spare yourself, you can’t make other happy.”

As I mentioned in my book, happiness includes three things: “Happiness to receive,” “Happiness to be able to do something” and “Happiness to give,” and the happiness to give is the most.For that reason, yourself have to be happy first.That’s why you have to take good care of yourself first.That leads to a chain of happiness.In order to achieve this, I think it is necessary to constantly think for others, act, and continue “to be useful to others, and to make others happy.”

Future of Japanese Culture “Packaging and Decorating”

Mr. Nishimoto: Can I ask you a question at the end as well?

Mr. Isosaka: Please.I’m a little nervous.

Mr. Nishimoto: Don’t be.What I want to hear from Mr. Isosaka is your thoughts on “packaging” and the future of it.

When I go shopping clothes or shoes, I’m the kind of person who check not only the goods, but also boxes and other packaging.I don’t throw away the box, and I am attracted to beautiful things in whole products consiting.

Nowadays, young people don’t buy CD for music, but for streaming. And when they shop in Amazon, they always get things in the same box.That’s a little sad for me.I’m curious in what future packaging will look like in such an era.

Mr. Isosaka: That’s exactly what I’m worried about.However, like a “law of yin-yang,” I think that balance is important in everything.Considering a sustainable society, excessive packaging has an adverse effect on the environment, so it is a challenge that we must improve them as a person involved in the packaging industry.
Nevertheless, the human taste will be lost by a value that can be thought of as “zero” or “one” in a digital manner.I believe that we have responsibility to pass next generation a sustainable society. And at the same time, the packaging culture that stimulates the senses, such as the quality of paper and the comfort of touching it, must also be passed on to the next generation.

The “Packaging and Decorating” culture is a culture that Japan can be proud of, just like Mr. Nishimoto’s ink painting.Just as Mr. Nishimoto gave added value to the tradition, we would like to take on the challenge of adding value to packaging.

Mr. Nishimoto: Thank you.I’m glad to meet you.Thank you for today.

Mr. Isosaka: Thank you too.It was very interesting.

Yuki Nishimoto

He was born in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1988.Japan’s leading ink painting and ceramic ink painting artist attracting worldwide attention.Developed a work that is not captured by traditional techniques but pursues “dynamic” and “powerful” with a touch that is bold and delicate.From classical motifs such as dragons and samurai, novel motifs such as athletes and musicians are also drawn.

“Live Paint” is often shown on events and TV programs, and the painting of his art, just after drawing was awarded at Hong Kong dollar 85,000 (about ¥1.3 million) in the Christies auction in Hong Kong.The appearance of the impressive ink painting at the moment of its appearance attracts and overwhelms the viewers around the world.

In 2015, a new modern art “Ceramic painting” by Mr.Nishimoto was released.The technique of ink painting which has energitic touch and the nature which does not fade in a thousand years by drawing with glaze on the plate of pottery and baking at high temperature are integrated. It gave great admitted by the various fans and collectors.

In February 2016, Nishimoto Yuki Ceramic Gallery, the first in Japan, was opened in Fukui Prefecture, which is the base for production.Many fans visit this gallery as a wall painting down the wall and a gallery where they can experience works by VR.

In addition, the 2020 exhibition “Destroying and Creation,” which also challenged new techniques that could be achieved by ceramic boards, saw a significant increase in artistic possibilities, with most of the works being bought by buyers, while the impact of the new corona limited the number of visitors to the exhibit.

In addition, he is playing on global stages in activities that do not fit in any type, such as individual exhibitions and live performances overseas in Europe, the United States, and China, as well as collaboration with CG and moving images, and various other fields.

Official site
https://www.yuki-nishimoto.com/

Shooting/Takahiro Yamada
Sentence/cross-media marketing