2020 ~ 2023

Reclaiming Cultural Background. (2020-2024)

Until 2024, my artistic journey focused on reconnecting with my cultural roots. At fifteen, I left Japan to study in the United States, spending four years in Florida and New York. During this period, I felt my connection to my Japanese identity gradually weaken. When I visited home, I found it harder to communicate with my family and friends, and even talking to my grandmother no longer felt natural. However, I was not fully immersed in American culture either, often struggling to relate to aspects of daily life there.

This experience led to an identity crisis during my late teens, fueling a deep and lasting curiosity about traditional Japanese culture. Much of my earlier work reflects this period of self-discovery, offering my perspective on Japanese traditions as I searched for a sense of belonging. I believe that everyone needs time and space for self-exploration, and the artworks I created between 2020 and 2024 serve as a testament to that journey.