. When I was a child, I decided that I wanted to do this in life. "To protect the beautiful cultures of Japan and the world that are disappearing without us noticing." In these busy days, It was 20 years ago that I realized something important had been lost. 書籍：和蝋燭はつなぐ　Japanese candles A childhood dream. My first experience with traditional crafts was when I experienced "Ouchi-nuri", a lacquerware from Yamaguchi City, on a school field trip. It was a simple experience of applying lacquer to chopsticks and sticking gold leaf on them, but it seemed to have touched my heart even as an elementary school student, and I remember vividly declaring to my mother as soon as I got home, "I'm going to become a traditional craftsman!" Then, when I became a junior high school student, I belonged to the "Mingu Club" at school for two years, and on a school trip, I had the opportunity to experience a paulownia box workshop in Ueno, Tokyo, and I remember making an appointment and entering the campus of Tokyo University of the Arts to major in Japanese painting, which would be useful for traditional crafts someday. Unfortunately, when I went to high school, I did well in both sports and academics, and despite arguing with my advisor, I decided to pursue a sports career. In the future, I want to do traditional crafts! Someday I'll live in Shirakawa-go, Gifu! I'll protect it! By Me when I was in elementary school. I was moved once again by Nobuo Onishi's book. Do you know the photographer Nobuo Onishi? His book is amazing. Only those who have read it can understand the emotion. The photographs, expressions, and contents of the book touch my heart and I feel a strong resonance of love. I would like you to actually pick up a copy and read it. Things we want to protect, things we want to preserve, and things that are disappearing. There you can see a snapshot of something that Japanese people have cherished for many years. When I picked up this book from my parents' house, I was overcome once again with the excitement and sense of mission I had felt as a child. I am truly grateful. Help preserve something beautiful for generations to come. Yes, what I need to do is to do something to preserve Japan's beautiful culture, which is disappearing and may be in danger of disappearing, for the future. Perhaps this phenomenon is not limited to Japan. Working to preserve the beauty of the Earth for future generations. This is the core of my philosophy, which has not changed even after living in many places and doing many different things. I can't stop feeling excited. What I'm going to do next is To introduce the works of artists, mainly from Japan, and deliver them to many people around the world. To let people know about it. To let people experience the nobility of Japanese beauty. To allow people to experience the change in quality of life that can come from incorporating art and beauty into their lives. We will donate a portion of this amount to Japan's World Heritage sites and cultural preservation organizations, making a small contribution to protect disappearing cultures. There is very little I can do. It's insignificant. There are things that one person cannot do on their own, but with the help of many people, they can come true. I hope that more people will agree with my beliefs and ideas. I plan to post an article about Kyoto's traditional culture at a later date. I came across people who seem to be protected, but are actually struggling. Please look forward to the sequel.

We visited the studio of Issen Nishigaki, a Kyoto artist who is currently attracting attention from around the world. The art goes beyond calligraphy and overwhelms the viewer with its dynamic expression. Kazukawa's five-line poem was hidden inside. We visited Kazukawa's home and studio together with a New York gallery owner and a painter. Photo by Kei Nakayama Issen Nishigaki Issen Nishigaki Instagram @issennishigaki Calligrapher, Five Elements Poet In addition to numerous exhibitions in Japan, he has also held exhibitions overseas, including in Spain (Barcelona, Ibiza), Germany, Austria (Vienna), Taiwan, and France. He is the author of Ichikawa Gogyo Tanka Anthology "Touri" and others. He is the head of Mizukuki Calligraphy Association Gogyo Ka Rakuo Salon and has done many logo designs and bookbindings. Started calligraphy at age 6 1979: Studied under calligrapher Takada Mugen 1992: Founder of Mizukuki Calligraphy Association in Fukuoka City 1995 Fukuoka City Kyushu Gogyo Kakai representative ink elephant production 2002: Private edition of Gogyo-ka anthology "Shining Ink" and "Touri" published by Ichii-sha 2012 Moved to Kyoto City and continued to run Mizukuki Calligraphy Association 2019: Representative of Gogyo Ka Rakuo Salon 2019: Started creating contemporary calligraphy art Participating in art shodo festa (art shodo contemporary) in 2021 2022 Kyoto Imoto Antique Art Gallery, Paris Anthologie 2023 Kyoto Kondaya Genbei Kurokura Solo Exhibition 2024 Kyoto Nanohana: Genbei Kurokura Komada, Takasago City Gallery Collection Solo Exhibition Over 3,000 poems about love, nature, and ink "Five Elements Poems" scattered throughout the work gallery kyoto teramachi nanohana 2025 A hanging scroll with beautiful and modern artistic calligraphy Gallery Kyoto Teramachi Nanohana says that 80% of its customers are from overseas. As soon as they enter the gallery, customers rush up to the hanging scrolls and stare at them. Apparently, customers come to the gallery from China, Singapore, and even as far away as the United States and Russia to buy Ichikawa's works. "It looks like there's something written here, but what is it?" Many people are interested in Ichikawa's five-line poems that are scattered throughout his works, but Ichikawa answers with a lovely smile that he doesn't remember all of the poems because he creates his works based on the inspiration he gets at the time, revealing his very charming personality. Looking forward to future exhibitions Kazukawa's calligraphy is starting to attract attention from around the world. A special exhibition is planned for September in Spain, and it is likely to be held in other countries in the future. I plan to feature her work regularly in my magazine, so stay tuned for more.

gallery京都寺町菜の花 I lived in Kyoto temporarily in the summer three years ago. When I was strolling around the town on my bicycle, "Hey, those characters look familiar," I thought, my eyes glued to the noren curtain. The design was by Mochizuki Michiharu, someone my mother respects. I want to enter through the fluttering noren curtain. But a gallery is too early for me. That's what I thought. I can't believe I'll be attending here in three years. I'm sure I never dreamed of it at the time. Some people may be a little hesitant to call it a gallery of pottery. When you think of Taizo Kuroda's white porcelain works and Yuichi Inoue's calligraphy, it's the world of fine art. I want to appreciate good things and weave a rich time. A new gallery has quietly opened in Kyoto. From the 2022 web magazine HAMAKO Gallery Kyoto Teramachi Nanohana ■ 633 Shimogoryouzencho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture ■075-708-7067 ■12:00-18:00 Closed on Wednesdays