Aug 27, 2026

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

With Yayoi Kusama's passing being covered in the media today, I wanted to know about your favorite Japanese artists, past or present. Obviously Kusama is one of mine, but I always like hearing about other artists that I haven't been introduced to before.

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genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

7 Answers

TonetoEdo

on Aug 28

My home is decorated with a handful of Uemura Shoen prints. She painted "bijinga", beauties in the Taisho era.

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 30

The first that comes to mind - Hayao Miyazaki. I never watched anime until I came across his work. I am also fascinated by with Hokusai's work, especially The Great Wave as well as his Mt Fuji works. *I deleted my original answer, because I had said I still 'only' watch Miyazaki's anime, but when I thought about it - that is not true at all. I do watch other anime now, but Miyazaki's remain my favorite!

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 30

A local (Kawagoe) artist I support is Kimio Yajima.

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TonetoEdo

on Aug 31

@BigfamJapan Can you tell us more? I can't find the artist solely on the romaji name.

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 31

@TonetoEdo he's a Styrofoam artist. On City-cost: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/G6AV8-living_kawagoe_shi_saitama and on my blog, about a dozen photos of his work, you'll definitely recognize at least one: https://insaitama.com/kawagoe-styrofoam-art/

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TonetoEdo

on Sep 1

@BigfamJapan Ah, yes! Has he done any new installations this year?

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helloalissa

on Sep 1

Great question by the way. I'm really sad about Kusama san. The documentary Infinity was great and I've been wanting to go to her museum in Tokyo and thinking about her work a lot this year. It's probably going to be way harder to get tickets now. Nara Yoshitomo has been one of my favorites for a long time. Another artist I enjoy is Tada Reiko, more known for illustration work, and years ago we met a couple times. Murakami Takashi, Azechi Umetaro, Gomi Taro, Yokoo Tadanori, and Sugiura Hisui are others whose work I like a lot. I could go on and on...

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1 Answer

2026 songs that turn you on or off?

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TonetoEdo

on Sep 5

6 Answers

"How To" Posts for the pick-up

City-cost are great for taking our recommendations on board. Now that the first thing you see when you click is on to the blog section is "popular" posts, maybe next we can get the "How To" section refreshed! Its been stuck with the same old "How To" posts for more than two years now. Have you any "How To" posts that you would like to see highlighted in that section? Or have you written any "How To" posts recently? I am dreadful for remembering so while I think of it, my most recent post is "How to Turn Your Home Toilet Into an Emergency Toilet" https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/GbeN9-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

on Sep 1

7 Answers

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

genkidesu

on Aug 27

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Shizuoka?

Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 Answers

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

4 Answers

What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?

Given that today is Fukushima Prefecture Citizen's Day; what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear Fukushima? And / or what do you most associate with the prefecture?

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

3 Answers

Throwback Thursday - Sustainability blogs

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TonetoEdo

on Aug 20

5 Answers

Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?

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BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

10 Answers

Favorite Noodles

Chilled noodles because it's summer, hot noodles are also accepted. Is it somen or chukasoba or zarusoba? Reimyun or pasta salad? Chanpon or udon or ramen? Pad Thai or Pho?! This year I made somen for the first time! I'm a soba fan. I used to love ramen and tsukemen but for some reason I'm not as into the rich and oily noodles anymore.

helloalissa

on Jul 30

11 Answers

What are the pros and cons of Japanese Citizenship for you?

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helloalissa

on Jul 30

5 Answers

Which movie will you see this summer?

I am not a movie-goer at all, but every year I bring the kids to see a film (and they often go with their friends too) during the summer holidays. There seems to be a good choice this year, including Toy Story 5, the Chiikawa movie, the real live action adaption of Moana and the usual annual Crayon Shinchan movie among others. Which movie are you planning to see this summer? Or have you already been to see one (or more)? If so, which one?

BigfamJapan

on Jul 30

2 Answers

Movie locations near you worth visiting?

The live action version of テルマエ・ロマエ Thermae Romae (2012) was shot at Nokogiriyama, Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. It's one of my favourite getaways for hiking, the temple complex, and catching sea breezes. The movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Which Japanese live-action movies do you recommend, and are the filming locations worth a visit? Tell us the original title, English title, the year, and the location.

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

7 Answers

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