[Long Interview] What is the spirit of “Yamato painting” seen by a French editor who respects Japanese culture

On Monday, March 23, 2020, a woman from France visited the studio of Japanese painter Hoshino Tomotoshi's home.

Her name is Laetitia Larralde (Laetitia Larralde). He is the editor of the web media “Taute La Culture,” which handles information on trends and culture in France and abroad, and is also known as an artist who creates works in a wide range of genres such as illustrations, comics, and prints.

Recently, we received a request from Mr. Letizia, who has a deep knowledge of Japanese culture, to “witness the production site of a Japanese artist and get to the heart of it,” and the interview with Mr. Hoshino was realized.
Mr. Hoshino has created many works as a Japanese painter, and has actively participated in solo exhibitions and art fairs developed by Japan Promotion in France, the UAE, etc. We have left many results, including sales records in various countries.

Hoshino welcomed Letizia at her studio in Kamakura. Please experience their sincere thoughts on art from Letizia's blog, where she wrote about the day.

Seen from Tomotoshi Hoshino's works, “nature created by artists, artists created by nature”

Hoshino Tomotoshi is a Japanese painting artist. I recently had the opportunity to do an interview at his studio, and I was able to listen to him talk about the relationship between art, nature, and spirituality.

Hoshino Tomotoshi's atelier is open on slightly higher ground in Kamakura, surrounded by plants and trees.
The rich nature fills up the field of vision. It may be taken for granted that natural objects are depicted in the works created here. Works with nature as the subject are not uncommon, but Mr. Hoshino sees nature as an essential part of his production process and creativity. Mr. Hoshino is a painter of traditional Japanese paintings and Japanese paintings, and he believes in Shinto.

The term “Japanese painting” appeared at the end of the 19th century to indicate works drawn using techniques or methods using traditional Japanese art materials. Conversely, those that adopt Western style are called “Western movies.” After that, Japanese painters did not stick to tradition, and began incorporating Western processes into Japanese techniques that had existed for centuries.
I thought there was a way of thinking typical of the Meiji era here. While preserving Japan's spirituality, it modernized according to Western principles.

This art trend is well known as the process leading up to the creation of current Japanese paintings, but in fact, there are things that existed centuries before that. That is “Yamato painting.” Here is the world Mr. Hoshino is aiming for.
Also, as another trend, Chinese painting was being studied in Japan around the 8th century. Japanese painters at the time combined techniques from China with Japanese themes to create a new model of Japan. Things made in this era were highly refined and are still highly appreciated.

The secret of Yamato-e

As the traditional theme of Yamato painting, “nature and seasons” is positioned as extremely important, and it also has a strong influence on the materials used in the paintings.
Hoshino's works are sometimes so large that they use 4 folding screens because he wants to depict the rich leaves, branches, and nature full of minerals in every detail. Also, it is said that there are works that began production 4 years ago. You can feel the artist's creative process.

During the interview, Mr. Hoshino demonstrated how to prepare art materials. He headed to a shelf lined with pigment sachets made from minerals, plants, insects, shellfish, etc., and chose a green pigment made from malachite.
To make them adhere to the picture, add an animal-based adhesive called glue and water, and mix with your fingers until they are as thin as watercolor paint. Then, I will paint it on Japanese paper, which is traditional Japanese paper. Washi is like cloth made of plants, and here, a shrub called Sanzan was used as a material.

Mr. Hoshino takes a long time to produce. In order not to apply paint evenly, I crumple the paper used in the work, apply ink to the outline of the motif, and add color. Continue by layering transparent layers until you have a good color balance. Each layer takes weeks to dry, so production proceeds at a leisurely pace.

Art and Shinto

Mr. Hoshino's bond with nature is very deep. He follows Shinto teachings. Shinto originated in Japan and worships the power of nature. Each region is thought to have a guardian deity, and it is said that gods are praised in order to maintain harmony between humans, nature, and gods.

One of the spirits of Yamato painting is the beauty of reincarnation and the beauty of vitality that dwells in repeated life in a natural cycle that continues to regenerate with the passing of the seasons. Through his brush, I feel that art, nature, and God are involved.

Just as Katsushika Hokusai said, “If you keep up your life for 5 years, you should be a true painter,” Mr. Hoshino is also a humble person who aspires to improve forever. I'm praying that someday he will achieve his goal of “drawing nature as it is.” A perfect communicator of the spirit of nature, he will one day reach his own goal.
(2020.6.15 Laetitia Larraldo)

※The original text of the interview (in French)“Taute La Culture” official blogIt has been published in.

■ “Taute La Culture”
‍・Official WEB
‍・Instagram
■Laetitia Larralde (Laetitia Larralde)
・Instagram

Japan Promotion will strongly support a wide range of activities of artists active on the world stage. If you are an artist considering developing activities in each country for a further leap forward, please feel free to contact us below.

Inquiries about solo and group exhibitions

Please contact us using the form below or via the “Contact Us” email form. The person in charge will reply to you shortly.

◎ Address: Japan Promotion Association
◎ Address: 4th Floor, Ebina Building, 6-18-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
◎ Telephone: 03-5766-2450/Fax: 03-5766-2451
◎ Email: info@japanpromotion.org