3 Years in Sendai – 4: Reichiro-san and the Miyagi Museum of Fine Arts.

                               What can be more Japanese than a Ronin chewing a blade of grass?
 

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3 Years in Sendai – 4: Reichiro-san and the Miyagi Muse

My wife introduced me to the laundry man—Reichiro-san—and we instantly hit it off. Not only was he an artist, but also a poet and a true Haiku Master. He became my Japanese big brother. He spoke excellent English, and before long, we were collaborating. Our joint works were later exhibited in a gallery right here in Sendai.

                     A few of my Shows in Sendai were formatted as invitation cards in Japanese.

But what truly made me feel most alive in Sendai was discovering the Miyagi Museum of Fine Arts. More than just a museum, it had an open-studio policy that welcomed Sendai City residents to create art freely. Everything—from materials to equipment—was provided, along with instructors to guide you.

I spent most of my three years in Sendai immersed in those studios every chance I had. Nestled along the Hirose River, the museum was located near the Kokusai Center (the International Center), where many foreigners, especially international students, came to read newspapers, watch TV, or just feel a little less far from home.

                                                     A Few of the Regulars at the Open Studio.

                                     This tree, like most Japanese trees, has character and is old.

I donated two books to their library: The Malay Dilemma by Tun Dr. Mahathir and The Asian Renaissance by Anwar Ibrahim, who is now Malaysia’s Prime Minister.

Having found my niche in that creative and supportive environment, I went on to hold six solo art exhibitions during my time in Sendai. Each one was a celebration of this serendipitous journey of meeting kindred spirits, bridging cultures, and nurturing the artist within.

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