Tomoko Sawada is an artist in her twenties who uses selfportraits as her expressive medium. She has been gaining more and more domestic and international attention.
Sawada's work consists of a series of selfportraits, where in each one she has changed her clothing, hair, and make-up. In her "OMIAI♥" series, (a Japanese word for the initial introduction prior to an arranged marriage) she took 30 omiai photos, placed them on omiai matting, and puts them on exhibit in galleries. In each photo, she has different clothes, hair, make-up, poses, and facial expressions. It seems that these are photos of 30 different women, but actually Sawada posed for all the pictures. In each portrait, she seems to have a different personality, background, and occupation. At galleries, people vote on their favorite omiai photo. The results change depending on the locale where the exhibition takes place. Her latest work "MASQUERADE" consists of 50 upper-body selfportraits, in which she changed only her hair and make-up.
Sawada uses photography as means of expression, and herself as the subject of that work. We often hear the word "identity." It is as if Sawada's work gives people an opportunity to think about what "identity" is - "an identity" that changes depending on people's appearance. It makes people think about "who they are, and who others are." Her exhibitions in Japan, the rest of Asia, Europe, and the U.S. are getting a lot of attention and high acclaim. (She has received: Canon New Cosmos of Photography Award, The Twentieth Annual ICP Infinity Award for Young Photographers, Kimura Ihei Award, Hyogo Prefectural Art Encouragement Award, The 34th Blue Mail Award (in Art), and many more.)

Akane Kumazawa, born in Osaka, is a rakugo writer in her thirties. "Rakugo" can be described as a style of traditional entertainment that's between a one-man show and story telling. Wearing a kimono, a rakugo artist goes on stage by him or herself, and performs the characters of old and young, men and women. Rakugo doesn't use any special costumes or stage equipment; the only tools an artist may use are a fan and a hand towel. (In Kamigata style rakugo, musical instruments are used.) This traditional Japanese entertainment captivates the audience with the story along with the rakugo artists' story-telling and acting skills. The percentage of women in rakugo is small, and the majority of successful rakugo artists are men. Rakugo has two distinct styles: Edo rakugo and Kamigata rakugo. Edo rakugo is mainly found in Tokyo, whereas Kamigata rakugo is found in Osaka. Both styles have a high popularity and are experiencing a boom.
Most rakugo stories involve the life of ordinary people and human nature. These stories are put into two categories: classic rakugo and creative rakugo. Classic rakugo involves old stories that have been performed for a long time. Creative rakugo, on the other hand, is written by the rakugo artists themselves. Akane Kumazawa represents one of the very few professional rakugo writers, and primarily writes for young Kamigata rakugo artists. In 2000, she received the award for excellence in public entertainment writing from the National Engei Hall. In 2002, she received two more awards from Osaka City (Kirameki Award and Sakuya Konohana Award). In the fall of this year, through the support of residents, "Temma Tenjin Hanjo Tei" rakugo hall opened in Osaka. It will definitely expand opportunities for Akane Kumazawa.

Kanayo Ueda is a poet in her thirties who calls herself a "fighting poet." What is it that she is "fighting"?
Ueda was born in Nara and started writing poetry at the age of three. At seventeen, she started reading poetry in front of audiences. Her various projects focus on the potential power that "words" and "expression" have. She established an NPO called "Koe to Kotoba Kokoro no Heya" in Osaka and now bases her dayto- day activities there.
Her activities encompass more than writing poems. She actively collaborates in modern art and music, holds workshops for the disabled, and compiles digital audio archives of books and poem readings.
One of the attractions to poetry readings is that it slowly allows the audience to participate in the world of poetry. As the audience listens to Ueda's readings, her nice, warm, attractive voice allows the listeners to look into their own hearts. It also liberates people's emotions; poetry is the voice of the heart.
Her NPO views art as a form of social participation and provides employment support. It has provided employment support for the homeless, and now its focus is on working with other organizations to provide support for young people commonly referred to as "NEETs." NEET refers to people who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training.
Ueda's sense of "Fighting" might be an expression of her active efforts in society. These unique and continuing activities are supported by many people, especially young people.

(Writer Ushio Chiba)