PROFILE
Born in Tokyo. After graduating from Waseda University, encountered The Tale of Genji.
Studied The Tale of Genji under Professor Koichi Nakano at the Waseda University Graduate School, and began practicing Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting). Studied under Masami Koyatsu, a member of the Japan Art Institute.
1991
• Selected for the International Council Exhibition (work: Peony).
• Participated in Japan Festival in the UK (exhibited at Middlesbrough Art Gallery and others).
1995
• Solo exhibition at “Wachi” in Ginza, Tokyo (Visions of the Shin Kokinshū and The Tale of Genji*).
1997
• Solo exhibition The Tale of Genji at Espace AYA in Paris.
• Fireflies added to the collection of the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris.
• Selected for the Finale International Art Exhibition.
• Participated in group exhibitions at Matsuzakaya Cattleya Salon and others.
1998
• The piece My World of The Tale of Genji Drawn on Fan Surfaces (exhibited in Paris) was presented to German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, and later received a thank-you letter via the German-Japanese Society.
1999 (February)
• Exhibited two Genji Monogatari folding screens at the Sakai Norihiko Ikuta-ryu koto concert at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Wolfsburg, Germany.
• The performance, combining koto music and Genji incense, was a great success.
• Also exhibited two folding screens at the Evening Koto Concert hosted by the Japanese Consulate General in Hamburg, held at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, contributing to the Japan Year in Germany.
• Successfully introduced “Jun’e Genji World” to northern Germany.
2002
• Solo exhibition The World of The Tale of Genji at Chuo Bijutsu Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo.
• Bonfire added to the collection of Noboribetsu Grand Hotel.
2003
• Visited and praised by Jakucho Setouchi.
• 47-meter Tale of Genji Emaki preview exhibition held at Omori Bellport.
2004
• Exhibited at the Middle East Cultural Center’s Cherry Blossoms and the Heisei Tale of Genji Emaki exhibition.
• Prince Takahito Mikasa viewed works such as Illusion, Suma, Mandala of Noble Ladies, and Bell Cricket.
• Received the compliment: “I’ve never seen a Genji like this. It’s wonderful—please keep up the good work.”
• (July) Exhibited part of the Genji Emaki (decorating a 15-meter wall) at the Tachikawa Palace Hotel event featuring a lecture by Jakucho Setouchi and biwa performance by Mari Uehara.
• (September) Exhibited in Japanese Calligraphy and the Heisei Tale of Genji Emaki at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University in Turkey.
2005
• Exhibited in Cherry Blossoms and the Heisei Tale of Genji Emaki at the National Museum of History in Prague, Czech Republic.
• Featured in a 4-page spread in WARAKU (Shogakukan) May issue.
2006 (September)
• Solo exhibition at Royal Salon in Ginza.
• Exhibition of The 47-Meter Genji Emaki and the Women Who Created Culture.
2008 (May)
• Solo exhibition of the 47-Meter Tale of Genji Emaki at the Kyoto Cultural Museum.
• Supported by the Tale of Genji Millennium Committee.
• Sponsored by Asahi Beer Arts Foundation and the Japan Arts Council.
2008 (September)
• Solo exhibition of the 47-Meter Tale of Genji Emaki at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, hosted by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Sector.
• Invited solo exhibition attended by then UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, who delivered a speech.
• Supported by the Permanent Delegation of Japan to UNESCO, with a speech by Ambassador Yamamoto.
• Over 800 attendees at the reception.
• Highly acclaimed by the French public, with many requests to purchase and for repeat exhibitions.
• Over 80 positive responses in the questionnaire.
• Entire 90-meter wall of the “Room of Miro” used.
• Commemorative event for the Millennium of the Tale of Genji, supported by the Tale of Genji Millennium Committee and the Sasakawa Japan-France Foundation.
2009
• Lecture on The Tale of Genji held in Paris.
• Hosted by UNESCO Headquarters in Paris; attended by 70 people, received favorably.
• Lectures on The Mysterious Aesthetic of Genji at Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7) and Sciences Po, also well received.
2010 (October)
• Mandala of Noble Ladies added to the collection of Waseda University.
2011
• (March) Special lecture Enchanted by the Subtle Beauty of Genji at Waseda Extension Center.
• (May) Planned same lecture in Nihonbashi.
• (October) Planned solo exhibition of The Tale of Genji Emaki at Waseda University Gallery.