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Usuzumi Ink: When Ink Carries Emotion
Learn what usuzumi ink is and why lightly diluted sumi ink is traditionally used in Japanese condolence writing and calligraphy.

Naoko Mikami
3 min read


Mental Clarity in a World of Comparison
Mental clarity is not about eliminating noise, but about learning not to follow it.
Through the Japanese concept of Fudōshin, this essay explores how to denoise your life and maintain clarity in a world shaped by constant comparison.

Naoko Mikami
3 min read


Keinen Bika : Sustainability as a Long-Term Mindset
Keinen Bika is a Japanese philosophy that sees beauty not as something preserved or restored, but as something that deepens through time, care, and continuity. A quiet yet demanding approach to sustainability.

Fuh-mi
2 min read


Art-Business: The Space Between
An Art & Business conversation with Chris, Country Manager of GAP Japan, exploring creativity, leadership, and how global brands translate values into everyday retail experience.

Fuh-mi
1 min read


Art-Business: The Space Between
Art-Business: The Space Between explores the moment where art, culture, and business quietly intersect. In Episode 2, I speak with Theo Knipfing, founder of Tokyo-based placemaking consultancy +Curiosity, about urban strategy, “urban mythology,” and why physical space continues to matter in an increasingly digital world.

Fuh-mi
6 min read


ELLE 80th Anniversary Art Auction — A Global Celebration of Women and Creativity
I was honored to take part in the ELLE 80th Anniversary Art Auction, joining 30+ women artists to create works that empower and inspire. The online auction starts Nov 14 via Artcurial—join us in supporting CARE’s global mission.

Fuh-mi
2 min read


Modern Japanese Calligraphy: Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Modern Japanese calligraphy continues to evolve as a dialogue between discipline and emotion.
This article explores how gendai shodō transforms ancient brushwork into contemporary expression, offering new meaning for modern collectors and art lovers.

Fuh-mi
3 min read


Episode 1 – Markus Winter: Bridging Art and Business
What happens when art moves beyond the wall and into the brand? In Episode 1 of “Art-Business: The Space Between,” Markus Winter shares why whimsy, silence, and creative friction matter more than ever.

Fuh-mi
2 min read


Art Tax Deduction in Japan: How Different Price Tiers Affect Your Tax Treatment
In Japan, the tax treatment of art depends heavily on how much you spend. Learn how businesses can expense or depreciate artwork depending on whether it costs under ¥100,000, under ¥300,000, under ¥1,000,000—or above—and what that means for your space, your story, and your books.

Fuh-mi
3 min read


Fukuske: A Journey Through Tradition and Innovation in Japanese Craftsmanship
Through a visit to Fukuske’s headquarters, I discovered more than a legacy of socks—I found a living example of how quiet perseverance and thoughtful design can carry tradition into the future.

Fuh-mi
4 min read


Appreciating Japanese Calligraphy: Discovering the Depth Behind One Character
Appreciating Japanese calligraphy means more than reading meanings—it’s about sensing presence. Through the bold yet subtle character 龍 (dragon), discover how a single brushstroke can reflect energy, silence, and tradition. Explore a deeper, more mindful way of engaging with Japanese calligraphy.

Fuh-mi
1 min read


Toyotomi Hideyoshi Death Poem: A Dream Within a Dream
Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s famous death poem may sound peaceful, but its historical context reveals a story of loneliness and impending loss at the end of a brilliant life.

Fuh-mi
2 min read


Public Interview Video - ELLE 80th Anniversary Exhibition
Experience my Public Interview Video - ELLE 80th Anniversary Exhibition, where I speak about femininity, imperfection, and the meaning behind my calligraphy piece Journey.

Fuh-mi
1 min read


ELLE 80th Anniversary Exhibition at Expo 2025
My reflections on the ELLE 80th Anniversary Exhibition at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, where 31 women artists expressed the power of female voices through art—and where I discovered a surprising voice of my own.

Fuh-mi
2 min read


Rakkan Design Meaning: The Final Seal That Completes the Balance
The rakkan, or artist’s seal, is more than a signature. Discover how its quiet presence brings visual balance and emotional closure to Japanese calligraphy.

Fuh-mi
3 min read


Kamon Design Meaning: 1000-year old design masterpieces
Japanese family crests, or Kamon, are iconic symbols with deep meaning. Explore their design, history, and continued influence in art and branding.

Fuh-mi
3 min read


Kintsugi Origin and Meaning: How a Repair Technique Became a Philosophy of Beauty
Before kintsugi became a global metaphor for healing, it was a practical repair technique rooted in Japanese craftsmanship. Discover the deeper story behind the golden seams.

Fuh-mi
2 min read


Japanese Harmony in Contemporary Art – Where Nothing Fits, Yet Everything Belongs
What does Japanese harmony in contemporary art really mean? This article explores how the philosophy of 和 (wa)—and a quote by Heraclitus—inspires a contemporary scroll artwork created on distressed denim. A reflection on contrast, imperfection, and the beauty of thoughtful tension in modern space.

Fuh-mi
2 min read


The Playful Minimalism of Choju-giga Japanese Calligraphy
Discover the timeless charm of Choju-giga, Japan’s oldest manga, through the lens of Japanese calligraphy. Explore how playful lines and empty space can reveal profound elegance — a lesson for today’s art, design, and luxury.

Fuh-mi
3 min read


Japanese Wisdom: Tighten Your Helmet Straps After Victory
Explore Japanese wisdom on vigilance after victory. Learn how samurai insights guide modern success with awareness and readiness.

Fuh-mi
2 min read
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