Biography

Ryuku Otsuka positions Nihonga as a central element of his cultural identity, employing natural pigments and minerals to sustain and reinterpret a tradition deeply rooted in Japanese heritage. His practice extends beyond technical mastery; it is grounded in a philosophy of repetition and discipline. Through the continuous movement of the brush, momentum and presence are cultivated, with each layered application of pigment becoming an imprint of time and silence.

Otsuka’s work frequently draws upon memory—moments of stillness, ephemeral encounters, and recollections that resurface long after their occurrence. By weaving together cultural history and lived experience, he constructs compositions in which past and present intersect, offering spaces for reflection and contemplation.

His artistic mission is to advance Nihonga as a living cultural identity, bridging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary expression. Through the patience of layered processes and the quiet resonance of natural materials, Otsuka seeks to preserve authenticity while opening pathways for dialogue in an increasingly transient world.