For a period starting about six years ago, I became engrossed in growing plants in my backyard. That was right around the time of that dreadful pandemic. I wondered if I might be able to produce at least some of the vegetables I ate in my daily life right there at home. The first few years saw surprisingly bountiful harvests, but subsequently, the crops were plagued by issues such as soil exhaustion, pest damage, and problems associated with continuous cropping. I initially began cultivation using seedlings, but I later came to realize that plants grown from seed—despite the extra effort involved—are hardier and ultimately yield a better harvest. It was a task that required great patience—starting with soil improvement, carefully raising seedlings in a seedbed, and managing exposure to wind and rain. It was also a process that never truly ended. And that was when I realized: this is just like creating work using photogravure.

The final form is a two-dimensional image printed on paper. The size, determined by the small rotary press used for finishing, is at most around 22 x 25 cm. Day and night, I devise ways to infuse that limited space with boundless imagination. There is virtually no record-keeping aspect or suggestive idea to be found there. My hope, however, is that those who view the work will be able to grasp a seed of imagination from the world depicted within it—something they can take into their own lives. The image pressed onto that paper will likely be framed in some way and perhaps displayed on a wall somewhere in the space belonging to the purchaser—or to the person to whom it was sent. Everyone will likely perceive and experience the work differently, but I want to create pieces that act like seeds quietly sown in the hearts of those who see them. The "seeds" I have cultivated are late bloomers; they may not instantly resonate with those who see them. Yet, over time, I hope they will prompt the thought: "I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something intriguing about this painting." That is the kind of work I wish to create.