Looking out of my window, I saw the weeping cherry trees beginning to bloom. Although I didn’t venture outside, it seemed that the town was rather quiet. The Prince Hotel in Minami-Karuizawa is hosting the G7 summit, and the Prince Outlet Mall will be closed for the next few days.

This month, I have been drawing almost every day and have been wondering whether to sell them or publish them in a newsletter.

Lately, I have been regretting selling my past works as I feel they may have provided important hints for my future development. However, I realize that I am still capable of creating new pieces.

In the past, I have sold everything I’ve made immediately as I believed that experiences were more important than material possessions.

While accumulating a collection of drawings can be satisfying, I fear that it may hinder my creative potential. As an artist, I constantly strive to create something new and push myself beyond my limits.
Reflecting on my “regret,” I realize that it stems from the desire to recreate past works that sold well. This mindset is focused on creating pieces that sell, but I’ve come to realize that the more I try to hit the target, the less successful I become. This phenomenon is not unique to the art world but can also be seen in other areas. Eugen Herrigel’s “Zen and the Art of Archery” describes the origin of this concept. However, Nelke Muho Zenji, whom I have followed for the past few years, is skeptical of this theory.

Despite this, I have had experiences that support this idea. Waiting for something often results in disappointment, and having high expectations often leads to disappointment as well. Furthermore, trying too hard to sell something can lead to it not selling at all. However, when I shift my focus slightly, I am often surprised by the results. For example, I was writing an email on my phone saying that waiting was useless, but then the bus arrived before I finished writing, and it would have been better if it had come a little later. I have also experienced that the more unfriendly someone is, the longer our relationship becomes, and the more kindly they treat me. Finally, I’ve been surprised when works that I thought would never sell actually sold quickly.