After coming back from my trip to Europe, I held my very first solo exhibition. Over 300 people from more than 20 countries came in just 3 days.

After I returned to Japan in December, a former boss of mine suggested, “Held an exhibition at my place. ” and that’s how it got scheduled for March.

When I traveled in India, I had this thought, “I want to make a book!” But I kept putting it off, so this time I declared on Instagram, “I’m writing a book! And I’ll sell it at the exhibition!”

That self-imposed pressure actually worked, and though I started writing in February, I somehow finished a 200-page book in just one month (barely slept at all!). It’s honestly legendary.

The flyer for the exhibition (which eventually became the book cover) was my paintings. I painted a globe and a theme of love on a white canvas, along with my thoughts about the exhibition.

I was so focused on writing the book that I barely prepared for the exhibition. I started serious prep just one week before, staying overnight at the venue to get everything ready in time.

I got by for a few months with the donations I received after returning to Japan, but I also had to manage to prepare for the exhibition with this money. I didn’t want to cut corners even though I had a limited budget, so I needed to be super creative.

I made original frames using cardboard and high-quality paper. I found a kimono sash at a second-hand shop, and I even broke apart curtain clips to make custom parts. I also carved my own stamp out of a 100-yen shop eraser since I wanted something similar to a traditional calligrapher’s seal. I also made bookmarks, and I decorated them on the skirt which I found at the second hand store. 

This shelf shows pieces of my past. The time I was born, my old works (I’ve always loved creating), memories from high school and university, and my difficult days in the working period(I felt so disconnected).

There’s a piece that was born thanks to (or because of?) a scam I fell for. ( you can see the details in my book)

This is one of my favorites. The blue represents my past, and the red symbolizes who I am now.

I even displayed a letter to my mom. She came to the final day of the exhibition, and both of us cried, turning the space into such an emotional moment. 

This is the Charity Chai project. I fell in love with chai milk tea in India and even learned how to make it. I offered it to anyone who donated in any currency from any country.

By the end, I had collected currency from 38 countries! I ended up flying to South Korea to use the money as my first stop (I hadn’t planned on going, but it was such a great trip—I’m so glad I did!).

This idea was one of my proudest moments! I got a bunch of beads from an old childhood friend’s mom. I asked the visitors to pick and thread the ones they liked, and later, I made them into a necklace to carry with me on my travels as a charm, like little pieces of everyone’s love.

At first, I wasn’t sure how many people would come, so I was worried the necklace might not be long enough. I asked each people to pick three on the first day, but happily many people came so I changed to one by each on the second and third day. I still wear that necklace today.

The exhibition, which ran for three days on March 22, 23, and 24, was a huge success.

I charged “hugs” for admission, and actually it was the best decision. I hugged every single person who came. The first 20 minutes of the opening day were the only time when no one was there, but after that, there was a steady stream of people for whole three days.

Friends from my hometown, former coworkers, clients, college friends, Instagram followers—even a girl who flew in from Taiwan just for my exhibition!

Some friends even baked cakes and cookies for me. I got so many letters, treats, and gifts. The cookies from one of my friend was incredible😂

The owner from my college part-time job even sent flowers.

How often do you get a chance in life, besides a wedding, to have all the important people in your life come together for you?

Those three days were unforgettable. I felt so much love and was overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who came, messaged, or has been supporting me all this time.