Welcome to Japanese Funnies

japanese illustrration
japanese art
japanese illustration
japanese illustration
japanese art


japanese illustrationThank you for visiting my homepage.
I am a painter / illustrator currently living in Tokyo, Japan.
I was born in London, UK. I faced an identity crisis while I was growing up, because at home I had Japanese food, watched Japanese videos and manga and was surrounded by Japanese acquaintances. One step outside was England, the place where I had my education and learnt how to become an adult. I was torn between the question of whether I was Japanese or English. I think that many people with my circumstances face the same question at some level. Although this may be something that can be overcome during early adulthood I had a double problem of being an artist with an identity crisis.

An artist is someone who communicates with sensitivity and dexterity whether it is with sound, images, objects or action. The very nature of an artist is self examination and introspection. In many ways it made me more aware of my surroundings and notice things that maybe others may ignore or take for granted. My early works consisted of paintings of streets of London and places which I found beautiful. By chance I foumd myself in Japan and exhibited my works in Tokyo to much keen interest.
Being in Japan, I notice I blend in by appearance but feel very much an outsider, inside. However this is good for me, as it means can I observe while remaining invisible. It is only after many years of living in Japan that I have started to draw pictures of events I have noticed. I hope you enjoy my series of works illustrating Japanese way of life...

japanese illustrationA usually busy street...

"A usually busy street, now deserted....." remarks Jon as we walk solemnly down a street in Shinamachi. I thought that really captured the general mood in Tokyo after the nightmarish 3.11 earthquake. Amid the nuclear reactor explosions, blackouts, food contamination and endless aftershocks, the psychological damage is as great as the physical.

japanese illustrationJapanese Baths

Japanese love to bathe, probably because it is so hot during summer and cold in winter. The public baths are a true delight once you overcome the embarrassment of being naked with others. There is also an unspoken understanding of the bathing procedures so it can be very intimidationg for first timers. I have come to adore the Japanese hot spring baths ("onsen") which can be enjoyed outdoors surrounded by amazing scenery. The onsen does not lose its heat even when it is snowing.


japanese illustration


Cherry Blossoms

Japanese Cherry Blossoms are at their full bloom in April and scatter only after a week. This is probably why they look so radiant. It is said that many Japanese painters have tried to paint the Japanese cherry blossom ("sakura") but have failed to capture the true magic. The sight of the falling petals are very poetic yet there is also a sense of sadness and for longing.
People make the most of the sakura season by placing covers on the ground and enjoy beer, Japanese sake and good food to the gently falling petals.


japanese illustrationLike ClockWork

Tokyo is a busy city. Visiting a country is different to living there. Most people are busy about their daily lives to worry about anything else. The train stations in Tokyo are very clean and the train service always on schedule. Sometimes I notice people looking at me with a strange expression. I check whether I am standing in the right lane or whether I am doing something odd. Usually I am doing something out of place.

japanese illustration

Japanese Sushi
I never really appreciated sushi until I went to Japan. It is totally different from what
I was used to having. The fish is fresh and the variety is intoxicating. You can enjoy a quick portion from the "conveyor belt"sushi ("Kaiten Sushi") or relax at the counter table and have the sushi master prepare each one by order. It takes years of training and hard work to become a sushi master.



Japanese Kabuki was a popular form of entertainment (classical dance-drama) during the Edo period and can still be enjoyed to this day at a Kabuki theatre for a mere 1,000 yen. I have always been drawn to the Japanese woodblock prints of Kabuki actors. The color and impact of the images are a pleasure to the eye. I have made a series of works of Kabuki actors placed within a modern context. I feel it is importrant to make a link between tradition and the contemporary. For applying colors I decided to use the computer for a modern, pop look.

japanese illustration





Kabuki Ping Pong

Kabuki actors with their flash make up are well repected. It is very difficult to become a Kabuki actor but once you become one, it becomes a way of life. Even a casual game of ping pong becomes a serious undertaking.

 

 



Eiji Suzuki


Kabuki Soccer

In the 19th century Kabuki dance was choreographed to literary realism gaining deeper siginficance and meaning. I wandered what it would be like to combine the dazzling color and excitement of the kabuki to modern football and was surprized to find that they merged quite naturally.

japanese illustration

 

 

 

Kabuki Rock

The word "Kabuki" is related to being out of ordinary or bizarre. People were attracted to the Kabuki theatre for its extraordinary glamor. I could easily imagine a couple of kabuki actors taking up some musical instruments and pouring their emotions out.

  CLICK FOR MORE...
Copyright (C) Eiji Suzuki Japanese Funnies All rights reserved.