Dear Ms. Yuko Nishikawa,
How do you do. I am a painter, and I had the pleasure of seeing your performance under guidance of Mr. Tamatsuka. I hope you will excuse me if I happen to make irrelevant comments in writing to you, as someone totally unacquainted with your art.
When I first saw you dance, it seemed like your entire body was encompassed with some form of fiery passion, characteristic of people who continue to move forward, while radiating dignified elegance.
I think that all humans who are living seriously, are striving to express natural secret gateways; not just artists who make livings out of their expressions. There is certainly joy in that struggle. Not only in art, but humans are also full of self-expressions, in work, technological innovations, romantic love, politics, and habits.
The character that gives radiance and depth to those expressions are cultivated greatly by the passion that I just mentioned. One who is satisfied is one who has lost the passion. One stops there and loses the radiance. I think only those who move forward have the power to give goodness to others. The spirit of doing your very best at any given moment, but never being satisfied with oneself; I strongly felt you radiated such refreshing spirit, that is never disagreeable, unlike other secular desires.
As an inexpert, I cannot imagine how the world of beauty that you are pursuing will be shaped as Nihon Buyo. However, as a growingly radiant beacon of light in our community, I hope you will shine upon not just one corner, but in many directions.
January, Reiwa 5. (2023)
Tomotoshi Hoshino
(Japanese painter)
Dear Mr. Tomotoshi Hoshino,
Thank you very much for attending Yuko no Kai, last year. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your correspondence.
For every performance, I keep on questioning myself; is this OK, is this all that I can do? until the very day of the performance. The process of shaping and improving one’s expression is like navigating uncharted waters. Comments from people around me, especially reviews and points made by people working in other fields, play the roles of the sun and constellation that help me locate where I stand. Am I heading to an attractive new continent? Or a barren land? Is it where I was heading for in the first place? I need to navigate myself through constant transmission and reception, as I am engaged in an intangible art. From reading your letter, I am relieved to find that in this voyage, I have been able to reach a good place that leads to the next step.
But I digress. I had the pleasure of appreciating your art-collection book for the first time, borrowed from Mr. Tamatsuka. In the collection, I found various themes, like people, scenery and plants, that felt as though I have seen them before, although I don’t know where. Every painting had this curious warmth, nostalgia, that induced pangs of nostalgia within me.
In the world of art and performing arts, the art works capture meaningful value, only when the pursuit of excitement by the artist can focus a similar image within the audience.
Where did the feeling of nostalgia come from, when I looked at your paintings? Is the feeling unique to myself? I look forward to asking you these questions when I have the pleasure of meeting you.
Please take care in the winter chill.
Yuko Nishikawa