March 4th 2001

in Taiwan

I was in Taiwan to make a NHK TV documentary program featuring Wood-block print artist Judy Ongg. It was the first time NHK ever made a program to portray a singer from another angle. In this case, they considered me a real "hanga" artist. I was honored by their recognition.
I went to Taiwan to find out why I am so attracted to Japanese traditional houses, and why I have been painting them for 25 years. On this trip, I discovered many things I did not realize before. To my surprise, I found that my grandparents' house in Taiwan had a Japanese tatami room. Many other mansions had one too. It is the historical path that Taiwan has gone through. Maybe that is the reason why I feel comfortable in a Japanese tatami room. It is from my childhood experiences. I must have played in these rooms.
Discovering Taiwan was something new to me. I was always in concert halls and studios and hotel rooms, but this time I had the chance to meet a wood-block artist from southern Taiwnan, who is known for painting the lives of old Taiwanese. (We?) walked through the corners of old cities like LuKang. This year, I decided to paint an old Taiwanese house, the Huang's house. This house has (is it still there? - then use 'has') stood for over 250 years. It looks like my grandparents' home where I played with my brother when I was eight years old.

in atelier

Program on air:
April 1 NHK BS2 22:10~
April 8 NHK BS2 0:00~(Rebroadcast)
"Sekai Waga Kokoro no Tabi"

Art Exihibiton:
Hakujitukai Exihibition at Ueno Tokyo Metropolitan Museum
March 26th- April 4th 2001