A little experiment motivated me to create this piece.  I was drawing a series of traditional patterns.  As I continued to draw, a deep sense of calm grew inside me; the source was the universality within those patterns.  This sense of inner calm gave me the courage to create the work I present at this exhibition.

The work is inspired by an old Japanese legend about the carp that, against all odds, swam up a waterfall, and was rewarded by being transformed into Ryujin (a Dragon god).  Carp symbolize the virtues of courage, effort and perseverance, and link effort with success.  That is why carp streamers are flown every Boys Day, on May 5th in Japan.  The 3-D installation is inspired by Bonkei, a traditional Japanese way to arrange a miniature garden on a tray for display and contemplation. 

I believe that every traditional culture has its own unique, intangible value.  When we　attempt to approach universality in a whole new way, many of us experience the excitement of facing something extraordinary.