日程　23-26 October 2025
会場　Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center
(Xiamen, Fujian Province, China)

My First Step into China!

ART AMOY, held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, marks its 10th anniversary this year, and I had the honor of exhibiting through moorLab.

It was my first time being entrusted with an 11-meter-wide wall, and I was worried about whether I could prepare enough new works in time. Fortunately, I was able to showcase my Baby Series—five new pieces—as the main feature, along with several of my previous works.

The Baby Series had never been shown overseas before, and I was both excited and nervous to see how it would be received in China, another Buddhist country. Since the form of Buddhism that has developed in Japan and China differs in subtle but meaningful ways, I was careful to study in advance which deities to depict and what motifs would be appropriate, out of respect for cultural and religious differences.

In the end, I chose to portray Dragon-Headed Kannon (Guanyin), Jizo Bodhisattva, Monju Bodhisattva (Manjushri), Lord Guan Yu, and Goddess Mazu.

　

All five new works were sold out.

Although I could not attend the fair in person this time, I entrusted everything to the moorLab team.

From the very first day of ART AMOY, I was informed that there had been a great number of inquiries about my works. Knowing that the Baby Series resonated with the people of China deeply moved me and gave me a renewed sense of confidence that this series carries a universal message of love and protection that can be cherished around the world.

Later, I was delighted to learn that a collector who operates an art museum purchased all five pieces together.

This experience filled me with immense gratitude and joy—it was a truly memorable first step into the Chinese art world, and one that has given me great confidence for the future.