{"id":107657,"date":"2025-10-08T14:21:52","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/?p=107657"},"modified":"2025-10-08T14:21:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:21:56","slug":"okataoka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/en\/okataoka\/","title":{"rendered":"Okataoka"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I believe that the proximity of nature lightens my heart without me even knowing it.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br>What is it about a place, a person or a piece of art that attracts you to them? Is it value, popularity, trend, or is it something else? Or is it your personal opinion, sense of taste, curiosity or just a feeling?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arriving in Kagoshima for the first time I immediately had the feeling \u201cI like this place\u201d. Curiously catching views across the bay of <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/wwEbksAERXjetTg39\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sakurajima<\/a> as I rode the Shiden (city tram) on my way to meet the creative outlier <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/okataoka\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Okataoka<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-2-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-2-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-2-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-2-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kagoshima: of all the words used to describe the people of Kagoshima, three came to mind most frequently: shy, kind and nonbiri (carefree). Okataoka turned up a few minutes late driving a Citroen Picasso \u2014one of only 200 or so in Japan. It was 8:00am and we were going for a carefree drive not before stopping by one of his friends&#8217; studio to say good morning and collect a Car Flower Vase for the journey. As we drove we talked about the creative process and Okataoka\u2019s latest project called \u2018Highway\u2019. The Japanese \u2018Hai\u2019 meaning \u2018ash\u2019 and \u2018way\u2019 a synonym for \u2018road\u2019: Ash Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After taking the 15 minute \u2014fun, always fun\u2014 ferry from Kagoshima across the bay we were on the Ash Road circling the ever changing Sakurajima carefreely smouldering as we passed. I was surprised to see a car park attendant actually cleaning the lot with a special ash sweeper and elementary school students wearing yellow helmets as they made their way home after school (usually made of soft washable polyester). The impressive landscape was like nothing I\u2019d seen before \u2014we explored the rocks leaving dusty footprints in the ash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-3-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-3-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-3-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-3-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-4-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-4-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-4-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-4-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-4.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-5-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107672\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-5-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-5-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the morning before my arrival Sakurajima <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/5Xgkx7ir4yQ?si=ut4krZdSdtIWzTxv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">erupted<\/a> 3400m into the air; watching the movie clip I now understand the yellow helmets. The day after I left, another <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/w-MO5fC9ZL4?si=QY8d3L-C_sT0BSxB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eruption<\/a> occurred. It seems like I wasn\u2019t going to see the active volcano on this trip, not that I wanted to, but I kinda do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAbunai (dangerous)\u201d I say, \u201caren\u2019t you worried about the gigantic active volcano just over there? The omnipresent answer being&nbsp; \u2014nonbiri\u2014 \u201cNo\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Okataoka introduced me to the artist Somiya Ichinen (\u66fe\u5bae\u4e00\u5ff5), who throughout his life made many drawings and paintings of Sakurajima. Like us English, the weather is always the subject of conversation; the citizens of Kagoshima always have Sakurajima to talk about. Artists will never be wanting for a subject as the omnipresent volcano occupies the view, mind and any empty piece of paper. Thus inspiring the local craftspeople and designers alike. I thought about what my own recurring subject matter might be; perhaps Mt. <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/hiUuDQBmo7qe5msu8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kurakake<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/BJW9yAGL5DUr8wM58\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hakusan<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-8-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107680\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-8-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-8-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-8-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-8.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Okataoka\u2019s road to becoming the artist we know now wasn\u2019t always straight. Often taking turns down the lesser travelled more interesting routes following personal curiosity until eventually arriving in Kagoshima; a city full of craftspeople.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some artists find their creative road and stick to it until the very end. Others drive down many paths discovering new skills and new expressions. Both roads lead to similar destinations, knowing how you like to drive is the key. Okataoka and I both enjoy the winding journey taking us far and afield, discovering creative cultures around every corner. Early trips as a student opened Okataoka\u2019s eyes to the carefree travellers passing through Thailand and Asia. Subsequent trips to India and Mexico inspired his own brushstrokes further.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stopping at a red light we compared the signs of a typical Japanese street corner to those we\u2019d both seen in India. We agree our everyday view for the most part lacked what I called \u201catmosphere\u201d and Okataoka called \u201cmood\u201d. How for us, the hand-painted signs of India \u2014mistakes and all\u2014 captured the natural warmth of a human touch that most computer generated signs cannot match. \u201cEven if the owner of a shop painted his own sign having no artistic skill at all\u2026 I think I would still prefer it to what I see here now\u201d we agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-7-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-7-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-7-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-7-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-7.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Soon we picked up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/judd_design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Takashi Shimizu<\/a> waiting outside his design office, Judd.&nbsp; Taking our time to admire his \u2014hat-shaped\u2014 Mercedes Benz sedan, before making our way to the mingei kissa <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/kou_hi_kan\/?hl=ja\">Coffee-Kan<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The walls of the kissa were warmly decorated by the textile art of Samiro Yunoki, who also designed the shop sign. A disciple of\u00a0Serizawa Keisuke, whose artwork also hung on the walls here and there too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ordering coffee and cake to further fuel our conversation, it was now 3pm.&nbsp; This is the artist&#8217;s way. Not tired by morning alarms or inconsequential schedules, but free to study and work on whatever interests us in our own carefree-time. To sit in atmospheric coffee shops having inspiring conversations about art, design, cars and craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking time to understand the nature of things before expressing an interpretation of the world through our work. Yes, there is always someone somewhere who\u2019s in a rush for results, but it is possible to find your way. Okataoka has found his comfortable working environment in a city at the end of the country surrounded by an inspiring landscape and a supportive community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-10-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-10-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-10-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-10-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-10.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We talk more about their project <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/highway_kgsm\/\">Highway &#8211; Driving<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/highway_kgsm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> With Craft<\/a>. Uniting their fascination with interesting cars with interesting designs and craftspeople from not only in Kagoshima, but across Japan.&nbsp; An admittedly niche business, each item taking time because they want to take time designing while connecting with friends. Creating thoughtful objects such as a ceramic <a href=\"https:\/\/highway-kgsm.com\/items\/655a0a6aae8e9e16609485ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Car Flower Vase<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/highway-kgsm.com\/items\/619f8dde7398913bb57b38bb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wooden Air Freshener<\/a> respectively fired and dyed using the ash from Sakurajima.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-9-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-9-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-9-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-9-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-9.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This natural \u2014nonbiri\u2014 way of working is supported by the warmth of a community and the natural material and crafts made with human hands. The atmosphere or mood we speak of is present in Okataoka\u2019s work. It was this feeling that first drew me to his work several years ago, but couldn\u2019t quite put my finger on why I was attracted to it until now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After spending the day with Okataoka (and friends) I finally made the connection and felt connected. Artists sharing a curiosity for hand painted signs from India, wood carvings from Mexico, folk art from Japan, cars with round headlights and Americana thrown in for good measure \u2014 and much much more .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-11-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-11-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-11-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-11-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PS018LRG-11.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNot only me then\u201d I thought watching the setting sun illuminate Sakurajima. Sometimes it takes a book, sculpture or a conversation to remind that you\u2019re not the only person with a Paul McCartney beard and you do have permission to live and work exactly the way you want. So what does success look like to Okataoka? \u201cBeing blessed with good friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With gas tank empty and my brain &amp; heart full, I left Kagoshima feeling blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"last\">And so it goes\u2026&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><br>If you liked this story you might like to read &amp; subscribe James\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/arukari.substack.com\/\">newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>James Gibson, an outdoor enthusiast and designer &#8211; bring his two passions \u2018OUTDOORS &#038; DESIGN\u2019 together to shed sunshine on Japanese: projects, art, creative endeavours and brands that are enlightening our natural world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":107703,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[119,117],"tags":[2005,3477,3795,2222,5251,5338,4821,1996,5250,9582,2254],"place":[220],"writer":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-107657","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-local-guides-en","8":"category-culture-en","9":"tag-art-2","10":"tag-james-gibson-2","11":"tag-james-gibson-en","12":"tag-kagoshima","13":"tag-okataoka","14":"tag-outdoors-design-en","15":"tag-outdoors-design-2","16":"tag-art-en","17":"tag--en","20":"place-kagoshima-en"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Okataoka - PAPERSKY<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Arriving in Kagoshima for the first time I immediately had the feeling \u201cI like this place\u201d. 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