On August 2nd and 3rd, I exhibited at "Independent Tokyo 2025" held at Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba.
This event, which brings together many artists, is a valuable opportunity to engage directly with visitors through our work. For this exhibition, I condensed the world of "Samurai Typography" that I have cultivated, centering on my original work, "Sanada Yukimura with Gold Leaf."
Preparations began several months in advance. Beyond selecting works, I meticulously considered how to convey to visitors "why I depicted this samurai," including introductory phrases, explanation panels, and videos.
I repeatedly simulated the exhibition layout and booth presentation. Ultimately, I focused on "questions, words, colors, and empty space" to express history not just as symbols, but as "our questions for living in the present."
At the venue, I received delightful feedback such as, "I was surprised to realize it was drawn with letters," and "I wanted to know the meaning of these words." Conversations with international visitors and history enthusiasts were also a highlight, and the greatest reward was the new connections forged through my work.
Of course, there are also challenges. I found many areas for improvement, such as the exhibition presentation, insufficient English explanations, and flow for e-commerce and social media. However, these are stepping stones for future growth. Currently, I am actively pursuing art activities to further enhance the value of graphics, refining expressive methods that convey the background and story of the works.
Finally, I want to thank everyone I met through this event.
The story of "Samurai Typography," where history and characters intersect, will continue.