“If you are despairing because you think you have no talent, you are deeply mistaken. For a true genius is simply someone who can maintain their efforts continuously.”
These are the words left behind by Thomas Edison, the great Wizard of Menlo Park.
This quote shares a profound connection with both you, living in the present moment, and myself, Takamizawa Mimi, as an artist.
Why? Because just like you, I often feel insecure about my own abilities in my daily life, yet I am just another human being striving to move forward.
As Edison precisely noted, we do not need to be perfect from the start.
Rather, the key that can powerfully transform your life is how much passion you can pour into what is right in front of you.
Today, we will travel together through the turbulent life of Shiba Kokan—an eye-opening pioneer of the Edo period—to uncover special hints that will dramatically elevate your daily routine.
What Surprising Similarities Do You Share with Shiba Kokan’s Life?
Are you familiar with the late-Edo genius Shiba Kokan (1747–1818)?
Though he achieved early success as the ukiyo-e artist “Suzuki Harushige,” he refused to settle.
Why? Because he was constantly chasing “the new,” driven by a burning passion to make people’s lives richer and easier.
He studied the traditional Kano school, learned ukiyo-e from Suzuki Harunobu, and mastered realistic bird-and-flower painting from So Shiseki.
Acquiring such diverse expertise made him a top-tier intellectual.
Yet, those around him often treated him as a “weirdo” or an “invention maniac.”
Doesn’t this perfectly mirror your own situation when you try to take on a new challenge in modern society and find yourself worrying about what others think?
The sense of isolation and hardship you feel in your daily life is identical to what Kokan once tasted.
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves souls.”
——— The Holy Bible, Proverbs 11:30 (Old Testament)
Why Does Art Seep So Deeply Into the Empty Crevices of Our Loneliness?
The author Osamu Dazai once wrote the following in his work:
“Wait quietly until the footsteps of happiness echo upon the balcony.”
This is a gentle message from Dazai to you as you endure your own solitude.
Did you know that you carry a quiet loneliness within you as you live your life?
It was to comfort that very heart of yours that the works of Takamizawa Mimi were created.
This art exists solely to heal your soul.
The interpersonal conflicts and urgent anxieties about the future that you encounter in your daily life—did you know that these problems can actually be resolved through art?
Why? Because art is the only existence capable of transcending time and space to stand right beside you in your loneliness.
When you gaze upon Shiba Kokan’s beautiful landscapes or Japan’s very first etching, “Mimeguri no Kei,” your heart will catch the breeze of old Edo, allowing you to be liberated as quickly as possible from daily stress.
Please rest assured; you are never alone.
How Can Shiba Kokan’s Relentless Challenges Benefit Your Business and Daily Life?
How Will Adopting Western Perspective Broaden Your Horizons?
Through his interactions with Hiraga Gennai and Odano Naotake, Shiba Kokan became fiercely drawn to Western-style painting.
With the assistance of Otsuki Gentaku, he went on to publish Yochi Zenzu, Japan’s first copperplate world map, alongside its commentary, Yochi Ryakusetsu.
He voraciously studied “linear perspective” and “chiaroscuro (shading),” techniques that did not exist in Japanese art at the time.
This teaches you the vital importance of holding a powerful, distinctive perspective in your own business.
By attempting a new approach that nobody else is doing, your endeavors will begin to go smoothly.
Why is Choosing the Hard Road the Shortest Path to Supreme Success?
Kokan also mastered oil painting (wax painting) and left behind eye-opening masterpieces such as “Shoshu Kamakura Shichirigahama-zu.”
From morning until night, day after day, he would make something, break it, build it, and rebuild it all over again.
He was a man of sheer obsession and perseverance, much like Sakichi Toyoda, who laid the foundations for Toyota Industries.
Sakichi, too, was a man of few words, treated by his peers as an eccentric and a madman.
Yet, with the single-minded devotion to “invent things to make everyone’s life easier,” he changed the world.
“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
——— The Holy Bible, Romans 5:3–4 (New Testament)
What Special Reward Awaits You Beyond Your Hardships?
Osamu Dazai also noted:
“A human being can, at times, become a helpless fool.”
This is a statement that affirms the beauty of a person who is utterly consumed by their passion.
Here, I present to you the quote by Kiichiro Toyoda that I promised earlier:
“We do it precisely because it is difficult. I will do it because nobody else will, and nobody else can. I might be a fool for thinking so, but without such fools, nothing new would ever be born into this world.”
How does that feel? Doesn’t it strike a deep chord within your chest?
The very moment you think, This task is so tedious, nobody else is doing it, is your unique and only chance to shine.
Furthermore, let us look at a quote by Japan’s representative haiku master, Matsuo Basho:
“In the end, being without talent or art, I simply cling to this one single line.”
Just as Basho said, there is no need to live your life trying to be cleverly versatile.
It is enough to walk straight down the single line that is your own life.
When Facing a Crisis or Burden, Can You Truly Call It an Opportunity?
What is the True Nature of a Crisis According to Aizo Soma?
Allow me to share another crucial quote with you. These are the words of Aizo Soma:
“Opportunities always arrive at first disguised as a crisis, or manifest themselves as a heavy burden.”
The urgent issues and heavy burdens sitting right in front of you are actually announcements of a wonderful opportunity meant to dramatically upgrade and improve your life.
What Can You Learn from the Dynamic Duo of Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa?
Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa, who built the global empire of Honda, alongside Shotaro Kamiya and Taizo Ishida of Toyota—they all repeatedly made instant decisions and took immediate action in the midst of desperate situations.
Soichiro Honda lived by the philosophy of on-site realism: “Above all, I will be the one who works the longest and the hardest.”
Their episodes call out to you powerfully: “Please do not give up easily.”
No amount of marketing can make a piece of junk a hit.
That is exactly why they staked their lives on quality.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
——— The Holy Bible, Matthew 5:16 (New Testament)
How Will Steve Jobs’ Quote Change Your Daily Choices?
Dazai once said:
“A grand, magnificent villain might actually be of more use to the world.”
This implies that a life unconstrained by common sense can sometimes save the world.
The modern charisma, Steve Jobs, famously stated:
“Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”
This quote connects directly to your lifestyle and your hobby of collecting art.
Owning just a few things of true excellence is a guaranteed way to elevate the quality of your daily life.
Akio Morita, the co-founder of Sony, echoed this sentiment:
“When a product has never been produced before, and no one has ever seen it, but it has been meticulously researched in some corner and manufactured after extraordinary hardship—if you wish to turn that product into a commodity, you must arouse a desire among the people to possess it. No matter how excellent a ‘product’ may be, it cannot become a ‘commodity’ otherwise.”
When you encounter art of true worth, your innate sensibility is reawakened.
What Wisdom for Carefree Living Can We Learn from Shiba Kokan’s Eccentricities?
Why Did He Add 9 Years to His Age at 62?
In his later years, Shiba Kokan grew close to the philosophies of Laozi and Zhuangzi and went into seclusion.
In 1808, despite being 62 years old, he began claiming he was 9 years older than his actual age.
Furthermore, in 1813, he pulled an unbelievable stunt by distributing a “fake notice of his own death” to those around him.
Why on earth did he do such a thing?
Because he wanted to completely liberate himself from the shackles of society and immerse himself in art with a truly free spirit.
The Chinese philosopher Laozi said:
“He who knows he has enough is rich.”
By casting away the evaluations of the world, Kokan obtained true peace of mind.
What is the Meaning of “No Life in Life, Life in Death”?
This phrase grants you powerful courage.
It means that a life lived sluggishly holds no true vitality; rather, the authentic brilliance of life—resurrection and liberation—is found when you confront hardships with life-or-death determination.
Shiba Kokan lived a life that embodied this exact phrase.
Ukiyo-e, Western painting, science, astronomy—his memoir Shunro Hikki and essays like Dokusho Mogen are overflowing with his unique philosophy of life.
Don’t these abundant examples teach you that your daily anxieties are, in fact, incredibly small?
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
——— The Holy Bible, John 12:24 (New Testament)
Have You Lost Sight of the True Meaning of Success?
Until his very last moments, Osamu Dazai kept his eyes fixed on the human psyche:
“To go on living is a terribly unseemly thing.”
Precisely because of this, we must support one another.
Here, I present to you an astonishing quote by the automobile king, Henry Ford:
“Most people think of success as something to get. But the truth of the matter is that success is giving.”
Your ultimate benefit lies in learning this “spirit of giving.”
Just as Shiba Kokan continued to enlighten people with knowledge to make their lives easier, you too will experience the highest form of happiness when you live for someone else’s sake.
Just as the founder of Choya Umeshu cut off all lines of retreat by saying, “If you don’t succeed with plum liqueur, give up on life,” why not try dedicating all your love to the person standing right in front of you?
How Will Becoming Close to Art Elevate Your Future?
Is It True That Quality is Remembered Long After the Price is Forgotten?
There is a famous phrase associated with the spirit of Rolls-Royce:
“Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.”
Suppose you acquire a hobby of decorating your room with authentic art, such as a landscape painting infused with the very soul of Shiba Kokan, or a work by a top-tier artist.
From that exact moment, the atmosphere of your room changes, and your daily motivation will rise to an eye-opening degree.
Things of true value often lack immediate efficacy.
However, just like stacking bricks, exposing yourself to beautiful stimuli day after day will cultivate your sensibilities into something truly first-class.
What Determines the Kind of Life You Will Have?
Life is not decided by your birth or your upbringing.
What matters is your diligence, your patience, and your power of continuation.
Rather than overthinking, just give it a try.
If you try anything, results will follow. Just take action. In return, you must give it your absolute all.
Just as Shiba Kokan fused Eastern and Western cultures and left a massive impact on the development of Japanese painting in the later Meiji period, your small step today will save the future you.
In Conclusion: The Wonderful Future Relationship Between You and Me
How did you enjoy the turbulent story of Shiba Kokan?
His fusion of landscapes and portraits, along with his unique style blending Eastern and Western art, was not the product of mere innate talent; it was the result of decades of gritty trial and error.
Even if things are not going well for you right now, please never give up.
As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
If you have found even a small glimmer of positivity through these words, nothing could bring me greater joy.
I sincerely pray that the light of art will beautifully rain down upon your life.
Postscript: A Message from Painter Takamizawa Mimi
Did you know that you carry a quiet loneliness within you as you live your life?
It was to comfort that very heart of yours that the works of Takamizawa Mimi were created.
This art exists solely to heal your soul.
Please allow me to talk a little bit about myself.
I, Takamizawa Mimi, do not use canvas or brushes at all.
I create my works using the latest digital technology and print them on premium printmaking paper using the giclée print technique.
My creative themes consist of: your eyes and my eyes, Christianity, eternity, psychology, truth, the gaze, history, loneliness, isolation, hardship, resurrection, and liberation.
It might sound a bit complex, but it actually translates into very relatable, enjoyable stories.
To me, a painter is a “doctor who saves souls.”
The work of an artist is an act of heartfelt service performed at one’s own expense; it is pure devotion to you.
An artist dedicates everything to the person standing right in front of them.
Therefore, please do not abandon me.
Please laugh at my clumsy way of living.
To be laughed at and grow stronger—that is the very definition of my absolute service to you.
The artist’s job is to play the fool to the absolute best of their ability, and I am a man of patience, a man of resilience. I will never give up.
When I was young, I learned the dramatic story of Vincent van Gogh and resolved to become a painter.
The “Mimi” (Ear) in my name, Takamizawa Mimi, is taken in honor of Van Gogh’s famous ear-slashing incident.
Van Gogh once beautifully said, “I want to express something comforting in my pictures, as music is comforting.” I find this quote magnificent.
If a work or a profession expresses something yet fails to move anyone’s heart or bring them comfort, I believe it holds absolutely no value.
I know that all the masterpieces of the past were not painted solely through innate genius, but were born from decades of mud-stained trial and error.
That is exactly why I continue to paint “eyes” in my work—so that I can constantly feel you standing on the other side of the screen.
I want to know the “you” right in front of me.
I deeply respect Tokuji Munetsugu, the founder of Curry House CoCo Ichibanya, because I admire how he devotes his entire being to his work without ever looking away.
Mr. Munetsugu once said:
“During my active years, I had no hobbies and made no friends. I never once went to a bar. I did absolutely nothing that would interfere with my work. There were years where I worked 5,640 hours. I believed that if I did not lead by example, my employees would not follow.”
“It was an incredibly lonely life. That is why I wanted others to show even a little interest in me. I wanted them to be interested. That became my starting point. So, when I started the business, rather than making money, I just wanted to make people happy. I wanted people to say they were glad I existed, even if just a little.”
Mr. Munetsugu never knew the faces of his biological parents.
He was placed in an orphanage immediately after birth, and even after being adopted, he spent a destitute childhood eating wild grass in the summer to stave off hunger due to his adoptive father’s gambling addiction.
It was classical music that saved him during those turbulent years.
Yet, during his time as CEO, he locked his favorite hobby away entirely, declaring he “had no business listening to music,” and poured all his time into his customers.
In the early days of their cafe—the predecessor to CoCo Ichi—when customers wouldn’t come, he and his wife survived by eating the discarded crusts of sandwich bread.
He laughed it off, saying it was only natural since they started from zero, and kept working every day with the firm belief that if they stuck to a customer-first policy, things would surely improve. He built his success brick by brick, day after day.
I am exactly the same.
Working 12 or more hours a day is my bare minimum. I do not want to rest. I do not want to play.
I make my creative work my hobby, and I wish to lay down this life for you.
When you stand before my artwork, I welcome you with a standing ovation in my heart.
After Van Gogh passed away, his brother Theo’s wife, Jo, said:
“In addition to the child, Theo left me another mission—to make Vincent’s work seen by as many people as possible, so that its true value may be recognized.”
It is precisely because of Jo’s fierce tenacity that we are saved by Van Gogh’s paintings today.
Conveying a good thing to others is truly vital.
For if it is not conveyed, it is the exact same as if it never existed.