Q-1. Knowing your love of music, did you ever consider becoming a musician instead of an artist?
A. I was in a band in my 20s, so I managed to live out a bit of my teenage dream of being a musician, although I didn't have the confidence to write songs endlessly like a professional. Nor did I want to put up with the lifestyle and the stress that it brings. On the other hand, I had an (unfounded)confidence that I could continue making art no matter how difficult the pursuit.
Q-2. For a day, you get a chance to be one of your heroes. Who would that be?
A. I think it's probably best that I don't become one of my heroes, even just for a day. If I were to become one of them for a day, all their great qualities that I admire would cease to exist. I prefer to live being myself.
Q-3. Is it true that the first single in English you bought was Massachusetts by the Bee Gees?
A. Yes, it was. I initially heard the song on the radio. Then had to hum the melody at the record store [to buy the record].
Q-4. How do you explain the phenomenal appeal of "big-headed girl"?
A. I haven't thought about it myself. When I started presenting this style of artwork in Germany, there was a discussion in relation to Kindchenschema. I think it probably has something to do with that. At the time, I may have returned to being a child myself as I was living in a foreign country with adifferent culture and language. Either way, it's an expression of being away from Japan.
Q-5. Do you agree with the idea that much of your work is autobiographical?
A. Yes, all of my artworks are spawned from myself.
Q-6. Do you read critics' reviews of your exhibitions?
A. Most of them are written superficially or from the perspective of past information that has not beenupdated, so I only read them briefly. But sometimes it's nice to get to the heart of the matter or encounter an unexpected angle of reflection that makes you want to go out to where they live, knock on their door, and shake their hand.
Q-7. You're cited as being Japan's highest selling contemporary artist. What do you feel about these kinds of stories, and looking at your own art, or art in general, in terms of value?'
A. I don't know because I don't really feel it. It seems to be someone else's story.
Q-8. I know that you have travelled extensively. How have your travels informed your work?
A. I feel that travel nurtures me as a person, rather than feeding into creating artworks. I believe that gaining experience and knowledge will determine how we relate to society as a person and the perspective from which we look at tomorrow.
Q-9. Are you always curious?
A. Yes, for things that interest me, but not at all for things that don't.
Q-10. Your work across a range of mediums. Does the medium you choose dictate what you will create, or do you have an idea first and then choose the medium?
A. Lesser priority is given to materials. I have several wood carving works, but they were all made because I received wood. I've never bought a tree out of necessity. In other words, I didn't really want to sculpt with wood, but when I started making it, I gradually became immersed in it and couldn't stop, and I worked so hard that I forgot to eat and sleep.It's not just about art. It's like when you start reading a novel that you happen to pick up, you have to get to the last page on the same day.
Q-11. How has your work changed as you have matured?
A. In a good way, my ambition to be better has diminished, and I have been able to relax a lot and express my inner self.
Q-12. Will you get to Perth, Western Australia, for the exhibition?
A. Of course! Broome is far away from Perth, but Broome has been associated with Japan for a long time. Even if it is difficult this time, I would like to visit the cemetery of Japan one day. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to it.
Q-13. As you move through your 60s, do you still eat much chocolate?
A. I've had two already today.
Q-14. What influenced you to become an artist?
A. From a young age, I excelled at drawing, which allowed me to easily get into art school without having to study hard.
Rather than thinking of becoming an artist, I mainly wanted to go to art school to be in an environment with other open-minded people and live as a student away from my parents. However, when I started art school, there were many talented and strong-willed people from all over Japan striving to become artists. Seeing the other students work like this made me feel foolish. I didn't even wish to become an artist back then. While still in art school, I started tutoring art to high school students, and some students started to admire me. I began to think, "I must take my art practice seriously!" I decided to study in Germany. I received an opportunity from a gallery director to have an exhibition after they saw my artworks at the art school gallery. Before I knew it, I was called an artist.
Q-15. How did the character of the "big-headed girl" originate?
A. In all trueness, it came naturally and unconsciously.
Q-16. What freedoms has your success brought you?
A. I feel less and less free with each passing year. I like the times when I'm travelling alone, walking in a city where no one knows who I am and when I'm with friends at a music venue having an exciting time together. I also like to communicate with young children without preconceptions. Even if I look successful to others, that is not my goal, so "success" in my way only makes me less free.
Q-17. Are you religious?
A. Both my grandfather and father were Shinto priests, which is the ancient Japanese religion. My two older brothers were born in the shrine where my father was a priest. For a reason unknown to me, my father quit the priesthood and left the shrine to become a public servant. My mother, father and two brothers rented a small house and started living poorer than before. Around this time, I was born into this world. Our house had a large Shinto altar, and religious practices were Shinto but not strict. From a philosophical point of view, I was interested in Buddhism and the field of religious art and studied Christianity. I also became familiar with the Celtic view of religion that I discovered when I travelled in Ireland. However, there is no specific religion that I believe in.
Q-18. I have read that you have a strong interest in cultures that have persisted through history. Are you familiar with the First Nations, or Indigenous, people of Australia?
A. I met with the Maori people of your neighbour New Zealand several times through my relationship with the Indigenous people of Japan, the Ainu, and have seen them perform haka and songs. I also visited several tribal villages in Taiwan. I've seen a few exhibitions and read books, and am very interested in Australian Indigenous culture.