I am Mimi Takamizawa.
I am truly honored from the bottom of my heart to face you like this today and speak with you, heart to heart.
May I ask you something?
You are working so very hard every single day, aren’t you?
But tell me—in the midst of your daily busyness, have you noticed that your heart is wearing thin?
Aren’t you continuing to run forward, spending your time for the sake of others and struggling to meet everyone else’s expectations?
“Even though this is my own life, why do I feel like I’m not the protagonist?”
If that is how you feel, please rest assured as you read through this text.
I, Mimi Takamizawa, will personally guide you into your true life’s narrative.
Why? Because you have the absolute right to claim a life of “value” as the “protagonist” of your own story.
Before we enter the main discussion, let me first share the overall overview of what we will be talking about today.
Please check it to see what benefits await you!
Table of Contents
- The True Value of the Masterpiece Saturn Devouring His Son That Will Save Your Spirit
- The Value of Art Proven by the Great Master Goya and His Rivals
- Your Success Guided by Tokuji Munetsugu’s Teaching and Henry Ford’s Famous Quote
- An Invitation to Art That Will Instantly Change Your Life
Now, let us begin our main discussion.
The True Value of the Masterpiece Saturn Devouring His Son That Will Save Your Spirit
First, let me tell you about a very special piece of work that connects you and me:
Saturn Devouring His Son, painted by Francisco de Goya.
Let me inform you of the concrete details of this artwork:
- Artist: Francisco de Goya (1746–1828)
- Year of Creation: Circa 1820–1823
- Technique: Oil painting (originally a mural on plaster, later transferred to canvas)
- Dimensions: 143.5 cm × 81.4 cm
- Location: Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain)
Have you ever seen this artwork before?
It depicts a giant out of the darkness, with wide, frantic eyes, biting into the head of his own child.
“Why on earth should I look at such a terrifying painting?” you might tilt your head and ask.
That question is entirely natural.
Yet, this is precisely why it is an all-time monumental masterpiece.
That is because this painting does not merely depict terror.
At the age of 46, Goya completely lost his hearing due to an illness of unknown origin.
Standing on the brink of despair, he painted this picture directly onto the walls of his villa, the “House of the Deaf Man,” amidst political turmoil in Spain—not to show anyone else, but purely for himself.
His own agony, his fear of aging, and the cruelty of the era—Goya poured everything inside his inner self into this mural.
Don’t you, too, carry unspoken anxieties and daily stress inside your heart?
Saturn Devouring His Son exists to speak for the emotions and inner conflicts you suppress in your daily life.
By gazing into the darkness that Goya brought forth, you are deeply saved by realizing, “I am not the only one suffering.”
This is the spiritual salvation that genuine art bestows upon you.
Are you aware that you, who are always striving so hard, are in need of rest?
Mimi Takamizawa’s art serves your life with utmost sincerity.
Why? Because you have the right to acquire a life of “value” as the “protagonist” of your own story.
The Value of Art Proven by the Great Master Goya and His Rivals
Let us also talk about Goya’s rivals of the same era.
For example, the 17th-century master Peter Paul Rubens also painted a work on the very same theme, Saturn.
Rubens’ work faithful to the mythological lore, possessing a refined, classical beauty.
It was a beautiful and flawless painting, preferred by the royal family and nobility of the time.
However, try comparing it to Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son.
In Goya’s work, there is an overwhelming “raw reality of life” rather than refined elegance.
Goya initially rose to prominence as a court painter for King Charles III and King Charles IV of Spain, establishing the highest status by creating glamorous portraits of royalty.
Yet, after witnessing the absurdity of war during the invasion by Napoleon’s forces and creating the print series The Disasters of War, he came to look squarely at the dark underside of society and human madness.
After Goya’s death, this mural was transferred to canvas.
During the restoration process, there is actually an episode where the depiction of Saturn’s genitalia was painted over.
Furthermore, there was a time when it was introduced under the title The Ogre Gaul.
Goya himself had never given a title to this artwork.
Have you ever worried, “Even when I look at art, I just don’t get what makes it good”?
Please rest assured.
Suppose there is a piece of art that leaves you feeling zero attraction, even after you have engaged with it repeatedly and absorbed various knowledge.
That does not mean you are at fault.
A work that cannot convince you is simply a weak, poorly made piece—in other words, a “dud.”
A true historical masterpiece will instantly captivate the hearts of many people, including you.
The fact that Goya’s work continues to fascinate people at the Prado Museum in Madrid even after 200 years is the ultimate proof.
The psychiatrist Viktor Frankl taught us that “human beings can find meaning in life under any circumstances.”
Mimi Takamizawa is also strongly influenced by him.
Great artists of the past created “meaning” amidst their arduous lives and left their works behind for you.
By coming into contact with their art, you are liberated from meaningless boredom, allowing you to reclaim vibrant time from the moment you wake up in the morning until you go to sleep at night.
Your Success Guided by Tokuji Munetsugu’s Teaching and Henry Ford’s Famous Quote
Let me share the words that have influenced me the most.
It is a famous quote by Henry Ford, the American who built a society where anyone could drive an automobile:
“Most people think that success is something you get. But the truth is, success is about giving.”
How does this famous quote bring tangible benefits to your daily life?
When you give something to others and become a person of service, an unshakable “value” is born within your life.
When your mind is consumed only with yourself, anxiety takes over.
However, the moment you step onto the side of giving, that anxiety vanishes from your heart.
The words of Tokuji Munetsugu, the founder of CoCo Ichibanya, teach us the exact same truth:
“Do not look sideways; dedicate yourself entirely to management.”
“Nothing goes well from the start, so keep trying without giving up. Business is a daily accumulation and expression of gratitude. Work 5,640 hours a year (15.5 hours a day, 365 days a year).”
“During my active years, I had no hobbies and made no friends. I never went to drinking places either. I did nothing that would get in the way of work. There were times I worked 5,640 hours a year. I felt that if I didn’t lead by example, my employees wouldn’t work for me.”
Mr. Munetsugu’s posture is the very embodiment of devoting oneself entirely to serving others (customers and employees).
Goya, too, despite suffering from disease and terror, poured everything he had into painting and left his work behind for the future “you.”
The artists sacrificed their own lives to give you a magnificent gift.
There is no life more valuable than delivering wonderful products, services, goods, and works of art to as many people as possible.
The great minds teach us that a life of no use to others is devoid of meaning.
Shifting your mindset from being on the receiving end to being on the giving end—this is the surest shortcut to dramatically transforming your daily existence.
An Invitation to Art That Will Instantly Change Your Life
Are you thinking, “Art is too difficult and has nothing to do with me”?
There is absolutely no need for such concern.
Art is by no means difficult.
Great paintings, sculptures, music, and literature from all times and places exist precisely to heal your heart and save your spirit.
If you were to stay away from art, what important thing would you lose?
It would be that “ultimate refreshing time” to objectively look at your own heart and reset your wounded spirit.
Distancing yourself from art is the same as shutting off nourishment for your soul.
Please remember Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son once more.
This piece, born out of Goya’s life struggles, now overwhelms people from all over the world on the premier stage of the Prado Museum.
Across time and space, Goya’s soul continues to speak to you even now:
“When times are painful, you don’t have to force a smile. Face your own darkness and transform it into energy.”
By touching true art that has engraved history, the quality of your life will improve radically.
The small daily worries in front of you will blow away, granting you a broad, relaxed perspective.
You will acquire a lifelong education and a flexible, resilient heart.
There is no need to give up.
Starting today, even a tiny moment will do.
Try looking at images of wonderful paintings, or listen to beautiful music.
Just by doing so, your everyday life will begin to shine.
Mimi Takamizawa strongly supports and cheers you on with all her heart, so that you may walk forward with an even brighter smile as the “protagonist” of your own life.
Please do let me know your thoughts and impressions!
Now, let us step together into a new world of wonder!
