I watched a movie called "Spirited Away"last night, that had many references to legends and myths in Japan (a video I watched before the movie.). My daughter had watched it years ago, with my oldest son, and knew much more of the symbolism than I recognized! I was kind of proud of her for that! I will have an English learner next year in my class who's parents do not speak English, and are of Japanese background. I would like to learn more. I'm a musician, though, I don't know about a lot of art here in the US. Eastern languages are so overwhelming to me...I'm a language teacher and I don't even know where to start. Spanish is so similar, it's much easier.

Hi, Kana! I am very interested in Japanese art and cuisine. My favorite author is Haruki Murakami (村上 春樹). I have read a lot of his books! I really enjoy eating nigiri (にぎり), I also really like how Haruki Murakami describes food in his writing, after reading his books I feel inspired to try and cook Japanese food! I started reading books by Yukio Mishima (三島 由紀夫) after I saw the movie by Paul Schrader, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters. I think this is one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen! I also like to go to museums; I’ve been to Frida Kahlo’s house/museum in Mexico City. It is a powerful experience walking through her house. She was born in this house, lived in this house, and later died in this house as well. I felt very connected to her while walking through and looking at her artwork. She is one of my favorite artists, I love her use of color and how she can convey strong, relatable emotions through her paintings. I am curious to know what art/artists inspire you!

Hi,tano.Today I saw a story about Ragusa's upbringing on the site.It's nice to fall in love with an exotic artist. Perhaps they were inspired by each other's countries.

Hi, Kelsey.I read Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage and The Wind-Up‐Bird Chronicle volume1 written Murakami Haruki.I also like the depiction of his food. It's very exciting.I cooked Liquor in the novel.Mishima Yukim is very famous for Japanese .His life is very fierce.

I didn't know there was a movie about him.

I have seen Frida Kahlo's work at a Japanese museum.Her expressiveness is amazing.

The artist who influenced my real life is 魯山人(Rosanjin).He taught me the importance of practicing, not just thinking.

I don't know that much of Japanese culture but talking about the art of each other's countries, no better example of one that's about two countries at the same time. It's something I ran into only recently, the story of Vincenzo Ragusa and Kiyohara Tama, an Italian / Japanese couple that went back and forth between Sicily and Japan during the 19th century. Theirs was an amazing adventure and there's an art school in Palermo named after them.