I like Art and Creativity

① Painting • Design Panels • Playing with Clay

On a blank sheet of white paper, one can draw lines and apply colors, bringing people, landscapes, and still lifes vividly to life. In this way, one creates “a world of one’s own,” free from outside interference. When making a poster, if the viewer understands the creative intent, that feeling of connection brings great joy. With a small lump of clay, one can shape countless forms; through this hands-on process of molding, one feels a direct link with the world, a profound sense of happiness.

Painter

Painters primarily create oil paintings, watercolors, and Japanese-style paintings. Depending on technique, painting divides into even more detailed categories. Generally, painters study drawing fundamentals in art universities or vocational schools. But graduating does not guarantee becoming a painter. At times, striking works emerge from those without formal training.

In Japan there exists a “painting world,” and repeated selection in public exhibitions of painting groups may lead to entry into this circle. Yet the essence of painting as an art has nothing to do with such institutions. What matters most is the ability to continue painting. As long as one can keep painting, any form is acceptable. One might work as an art teacher, teach private painting classes, work in fields related or unrelated to art, take part-time jobs, or rely on the financial support of parents or partners. Regardless of whether the paintings sell, holding onto the joy and longing for painting, and continuing to paint for years or decades, is what defines a painter.

Illustrator

Illustrators mainly create cover art for magazines, interior illustrations, book covers, or advertising images, working on commission from publishers or ad agencies. Formal art-school training is not strictly necessary, but learning basic techniques in a specialized school, forming networks with teachers and peers, and building contacts through school can be very beneficial.

The typical first step is to approach a publisher’s design or editorial department, or book designers and art directors, bringing one’s portfolio and self-recommending. If an illustrator’s work is unique and well-received, assignments may come in succession, leading to popularity. Fees from publishers are relatively low, but commercial advertising illustration pays higher rates. Most illustrators work from home. The job requires intense focus and enduring solitude, but seeing one’s work displayed on public posters or advertisements offers deep satisfaction.

Picture Book Author

Picture books are primarily aimed at children, telling stories through images, though many adults now read them as well. Some picture books are written and illustrated by the same person; others divide text and illustration between different creators. The work brings joy and strength to children, and while the field is dominated by women, many men also take part.

To become a picture book author, one typically submits their work directly to a publisher’s editorial department. Unlike the literary world, where awards like the Akutagawa or Naoki prizes can bring overnight fame, the picture book world lacks such awards. However, many competitions supported by companies accept submissions from amateurs, and success there can open doors. Still, winning prizes does not guarantee independence as a professional picture book creator.

Picture books tend to sell steadily over time; in 2009 alone, over 1,700 new titles were published, showing a healthy market base. With Japan’s declining birthrate, parents pay more attention to their children, and demand for quality picture books may rise. International exhibitions like the Bologna Children’s Book Fair also provide global recognition opportunities.

Printmaker

Printmaking is an art form expressed through copperplate, lithography, woodblock, silkscreen, and similar techniques. Many printmakers are graduates of art universities or vocational schools, but attending such institutions does not automatically make one a printmaker. The main advantage of formal education is networking with professors, senior artists, or connecting with galleries.

Gallery connections are crucial, but poor-quality prints will not gain attention. Beyond networking, artistic sensibility, refined technique, and the ability to produce strong works are most important. Participating in open-call competitions held by museums is another route; winning can attract the attention of galleries or art dealers, sometimes leading to solo exhibitions.

However, very few people make a living solely from printmaking. Many open printmaking studios, teach art in schools, or lecture at universities. Printmaking, while artistic, also involves practical “craft” aspects using machinery. Unlike Edo-period ukiyo-e where artists and printers were separate, modern printmakers often handle their own printing.

Calligrapher-for-Hire

Calligraphy-for-hire involves writing invitations and similar documents with brush or pen, typically in small characters. Neatness, beauty, and legibility are required, demanding technical training. One usually studies under a calligraphy teacher for at least two years. While civil certification exams exist, no special license is required to work.

Employment is usually at hotels, department stores, funeral parlors, or calligraphy service companies. But in reality, few places employ full-time calligraphers, so most work part-time. Surviving solely on calligraphy work is difficult; many professional calligraphers or others take it as side work. Once learned, the skill can serve as a lifelong supplementary occupation.

Doll Maker

There are many types of dolls: traditional Japanese dolls, Western dolls, and creative art dolls. Some are mass-produced in plastic, but traditional Japanese dolls are crafted in workshops, where apprentices learn under a master. For festival dolls like Hina dolls, small workshops often divide labor: some artisans make the faces, others the clothing, others the small accessories. It takes years of effort—sometimes a decade—to master doll-making.

Art doll makers follow less rigid paths: some study under known artisans, others at community centers, still others are self-taught. Techniques vary depending on the type of doll. Works are usually sold through galleries, and success depends heavily on managing relationships with clients and networks.

Tattoo Artist

Tattoo motifs range from small designs like hearts or skulls on the arm to large full-back pieces with lions or peonies. Because tattoos are permanent and nearly impossible to remove, detailed consultation with clients and careful preparation (including drafting base sketches) is essential. As tattoos are applied by needles directly into skin, strict hygiene is critical: needles must be sterilized with medical equipment and disposed of after use.

Tattooists usually begin as apprentices, first handling chores, then assisting with preparation and cleaning, gradually learning techniques. Apprentices typically practice on themselves or fellow apprentices. It takes one to three years before tattooing clients. Both hand-poked and machine methods are used, often combined. Though tattoo machines are commercially available and some self-teach, proper training is crucial to master needle depth, angle, and arrangement safely.

Porcelain Painter

Porcelain painters decorate ceramics with distinctive patterns. In addition to painting skills, they must follow precise design requirements. Traditionally, they worked in kilns or with large tableware manufacturers, but today most mass production relies on printing, reducing demand. Independent porcelain painters often maintain their own kilns.

Experience matters more than certification. Some porcelain painters graduate from art universities or specialized schools, while others attend public ceramic colleges such as the Arita College of Ceramics in Saga Prefecture, where about 80% of graduates find work locally in kilns.

Calligrapher

To become a professional calligrapher, one studies brushwork and character structure under a master, then exhibits works at calligraphy shows, building recognition within a school of calligraphy. Studying under a distinguished teacher is difficult; one must first train with a local instructor, then seek recognition from a master.

Full-time professional calligraphers are few. Many graduates of calligraphy departments in universities earn a living teaching, often in middle or high schools. Possessing Level 1 certification from the Japan Calligraphy Skills Recognition Association (supported by the Ministry of Education) is advantageous for teaching. Many calligraphers also work as calligraphy-for-hire. Ultimately, mastery requires not only knowledge but also the development of a distinct personal style.

Computer Graphics Designer

CG designers use computer graphics to produce images, diagrams, or animations. Today, CG design is widely applied in film, television, video games, multimedia, design, illustration, and animation, as well as in architecture, mechanical design, industrial design, and scientific simulations.

Most study design or CG design at universities or technical schools, then work at media production companies, advertising agencies, or TV stations. The work often demands all-nighters and intense stamina, perseverance, and concentration. Besides technical skill, imagination and creativity are essential. Advanced CG requires knowledge spanning design to programming. Certification exams exist: Level 3 is beginner, Level 2 requires about a year’s experience, Level 1 is professional.

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers design posters, product packaging, books, signage, and promotional materials. With today’s diverse media, they also design websites and commercials. Book designers (editorial designers) and web designers are considered subfields.

Designers must understand the product’s purpose and express it visually. For corporate identity (CI) such as logos, communication skills are crucial, as design relates to company strategy. Designers usually study at art high schools, vocational schools, or universities. Since computer-based design is standard, multimedia knowledge is essential.

Most work in ad agencies, corporate PR departments, or design firms. Many start as assistants, becoming independent after about a decade. Because design has many subfields, one must decide which area to pursue early.

Art Editor

Art editors design the layouts of magazines and books—covers, tables of contents, text, and images. Many train at design schools or art universities before joining design firms, though other routes exist. Some later establish independent studios. The job requires interpreting content accurately, refining presentation, and maintaining aesthetic standards.

Design is a client-oriented business, so art editors must not only design well but also communicate with clients effectively and maintain general knowledge. Beyond technical skills, cultivating taste and sensibility is important—watching films, reading books, and building a personal aesthetic awareness.

Book Designer (Binding Designer)

Book designers create the complete physical design of books, from covers to interior pages. They must understand the book’s content and readership. Typically, one studies design at an art school, works as an assistant under a skilled designer, then joins magazine or book design firms. Practical experience with paper and printing processes is essential before going independent.

Although publishing has declined and publishers cut costs by using in-house design departments, book designers remain valued for giving books their market appeal.

Character Designer

Character designers create characters for animation, games, films, advertisements, and product packaging. They usually work for animation studios, game companies, design firms, or ad agencies. Unlike manga artists or animators, one cannot rely on simply drawing “cute” figures; characters must fit storylines or product concepts.

Aspiring character designers must draw constantly, improving skills and expressive ability. Studying in art university design programs or vocational schools, some of which offer specialized character design courses, is advantageous.

Game Art Designer

Game art designers produce all visual elements in video games: characters, backgrounds, and models, based on planning documents. They must combine artistic and technical CG skills, often creating 3D models. Because games depend on hardware limitations, designers must adjust color ranges and graphics within constraints, requiring patience and experimentation.

Knowledge of programming is helpful, since game artists collaborate closely with coders. Most study at art universities or design schools, then apply with portfolios to game companies. Many later go independent after gaining experience.

Wildlife Photographer

Wildlife photographers capture the lives of animals, including marine photographers who focus on ocean creatures. Locations span the globe. Because authentic wildlife photography has grown in demand, many now camp outdoors for extended periods. To remain unnoticed, photographers often hide in camouflage gear for days, awaiting the perfect moment—demanding great patience.

Modern methods include using sensors or remote-triggered cameras. Costs for equipment, travel, lodging, and local guides are high, so funding must be secured. Television nature programs often use video rather than stills. Wildlife photography is risky—there are recorded deaths from avalanches or bear attacks. Preparing for local conditions, diseases, and dangers is essential.

Training is usually at photography schools or as assistants to established professionals. Clubs and expeditions also offer learning.

Landscape Photographer

Landscape photographers capture natural scenery worldwide. Some specialize in mountains, others in plants. Mountain photographers must carry heavy equipment across snow and rock, requiring mountaineering strength. Shooting snowy peaks often involves camping in tents during storms, or renting planes for aerial shots.

Plant photographers, for example, may travel across Japan to follow the blooming of cherry blossoms over a month. Weather determines shooting opportunities, so patience is required. Most train in photography schools, build careers independently or as assistants, and success requires years of persistence. Income often comes from magazine or calendar publication, supplemented by agency representation.

Photo Studio Owner

Photo studio operators shoot commemorative portraits for weddings, Shichi-Go-San festivals, coming-of-age ceremonies, and arranged meetings, as well as ID photos and reprints. No formal license is required, but knowledge and skill in photography are necessary.

Studios demand heavy investment in equipment, backdrops, costumes, and facilities, often run as family businesses. With digital cameras and sticker-photo booths, customer demand has declined, making management harder. Studios have diversified services: creating postcards or invitations, commercial photography, pet or product photography, and makeup services. Continuous learning and equipment upgrades are vital to survival.

Photo Studio Assistant

Photo studio staff set up equipment in rental studios (Rental Lab, Photo Space, etc.), and greet clients. Some studios handle both still and video shooting, even film. No special qualifications are required—basic photography knowledge and enthusiasm suffice.

Attending photography schools is advantageous. Clients include both professionals and amateurs unfamiliar with equipment, so patience, kindness, and clear explanation are required. The job is well-suited to those wishing to deepen their technical skills and learn from established photographers.

Product Designer

Product designers, broadly defined, design all consumer products except buildings—traditionally overlapping with “industrial designers.” Recently, however, “product designers” often refers specifically to designers of furniture, tableware, stationery, packaging, and miscellaneous goods, while “industrial designers” focus on large-scale goods like cars, appliances, or medical devices.

Lifestyle product designers are especially popular among women consumers; the keyword “cute” drives much demand. But behind “cuteness” lies rigorous study of design fundamentals and practical discipline.

Most study in design universities or vocational schools, then work in manufacturers’ design departments, agencies, or ad firms. Experience is essential; many first train in small studios.

Industrial Designer

Industrial designers plan and design all mass-produced goods, from pens to airplanes. Beyond aesthetics, functionality and safety are paramount. No license is required, but studying at universities or schools specializing in industrial design is best.

They usually work in corporate product development teams, sometimes in small studios. Industrial designers collaborate with engineers and must explain their designs clearly to sales teams. Strong communication skills are essential. Their greatest satisfaction comes from seeing their products in real use.

Web Designer

Web designers create websites (homepages) on the World Wide Web. Since pages are globally accessible, companies, organizations, and individuals all need sites for publicity or information. While consumer software makes simple sites easy, professional web design requires originality and aesthetic sense.

Designers must listen carefully to clients’ requests and translate them into effective visual sites using text, images, illustrations, and sometimes music. A website that attracts no visitors is a failure, so originality and visitor engagement are vital.

Frequent updates and quick responses are necessary. Most web designers study at specialized schools, then gain experience in companies. Some go freelance, but the field is crowded with young talent, making competition fierce. Since 2007, Japan has offered national Web Design Skills Certification.

Plastic Model Maker

Plastic model makers design and build models for commercial sale. Typically employed by model manufacturers, they work in planning or design departments, creating prototypes.

Some become “model builders,” painting and assembling kits for clients. Famous builders may have dedicated shops or write for model magazines. The best command high incomes, like Gerald A. Wingrove, the British “classic car model genius,” who built everything himself from raw materials.

Model Shop Owner

Model shop owners sell both kits and finished models, often tied to anime or film franchises. But the joy of carefully assembling and painting pieces remains timeless. Well-crafted finished works outshine mass-produced figures.

Some shops specialize in certain categories, like airplanes. Many owners work first in manufacturing or sales, then open shops. Having technical skill helps, as displaying impressive works draws customers. Since models are handmade hobbies, shopkeepers should avoid over-entangling with clients—but cheerful personalities often win popularity, especially since many customers are children.

Sign Maker

Traditionally, signs meant hand-painted movie boards or bathhouse murals of Mt. Fuji. Today, signs include café lightboxes, corporate building names, election campaign boards, house nameplates, park maps, pachinko hall neon, used car lot signs, and beauty salon logos. Materials have evolved from wood and paper to aluminum, acrylic, and LED.

Though computers now produce most lettering and images, the traditional balance rule “text:blank = 3:7” still applies. Experienced sign painters adapt easily from brushes to digital tools. Sign makers must still draw illustrations or cartoons; relying solely on stock images feels stale. Signs must be original to the client’s store identity.

Most sign makers work in small companies, training under seniors while working. Familiarity with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver is advantageous, so attending design schools helps.

Stage Designer

Stage designers plan and supervise the design of sets and costumes for theater productions. Some specialize in stage equipment or costumes. Many work freelance, though some belong to stage production companies and receive commissions from theaters. Success depends on recognition by directors or producers, so apprenticeships or entry into companies are common first steps.

Stage designers must quickly translate artistic impressions into detailed plans and models, requiring artistic training, usually at art universities or design schools. Regularly watching productions and studying senior designers’ work helps develop a personal style.

Stage Lighting Designer

Lighting designers shape performance atmosphere through stage or TV lighting. For example: “to create a passionate scene, combine red and yellow light”; “blue light conveys inner monologue.” Large performances use computer-controlled setups, but manual adjustments remain important.

The possibilities from lights and filters are limitless, demanding high sensitivity. Once mostly tied to theater companies, lighting designers now often work at specialized lighting firms or as freelancers. Success requires innate talent and passion.

Sculptor

Sculptors carve in stone, wood, bronze, iron, plaster, and more. There is no set path; most train under masters or study sculpture in art universities. Strong drawing skills are essential, ideally begun young, covering people, animals, and still life.

Sculpture demands costly materials and large workspaces, making livelihood difficult. Many sculptors supplement by teaching. Buyers are usually municipalities or companies, commissioning public works for parks, gardens, streets, and buildings. Many recent monuments favor geometric forms. Winning awards at exhibitions can lead to commissionsGot it — let’s continue right from 媒體藝術家 (Media Artist) where we left off, and carry through the rest of the 美术 (Fine Arts) section you pasted.

Media Artist

Media art is the general term for artworks that incorporate new technology into their expression. These combine text, images, sound, and performance through computer technology. The definition of “media artist” isn’t fixed: its forms of expression are diverse, and its range is broad. Media artists can be visual artists, musicians, video makers, performers, CG creators, animators, and more. The paths they take are just as varied—there is no single standard route.

Still, media art has become one of the most cutting-edge forms of artistic practice, often used in educational tools, cultural appreciation, corporate or municipal memorial works, toys, or game devices. Many young Japanese media artists with high computer literacy and refined technical expression are now also gaining international recognition. This makes the field promising for Japan.

However, when the Japanese government established the “National Media Art Center” to exhibit media art and commercial art, collect archives, and conduct research, the plan was ridiculed as a “state-run manga café” or “anime palace” and eventually abandoned.

Manga Artist

Manga includes shōnen (boys’ comics), seinen (young men’s comics), shōjo (girls’ comics), and magazines aimed at women in their 20s, among many other categories. Successful manga artists sign contracts with publishers or magazines and receive fees for serialization. If other publishers also express interest, it’s possible (though rare) to run multiple series simultaneously.

The only way to debut is by winning a newcomer award held by various magazines. Submitting manuscripts to editors or working as an assistant to an established manga artist are common entry points. If editors recognize potential, they may guide you toward winning one of these awards.

In earlier times, if a serialized artist fell behind deadline, editors might slip in a promising unsolicited work, giving unknown creators a chance to debut. Today, this is almost unheard of—awards are the only entry.

For shōnen and seinen magazines, the number of slots for new award winners is relatively high, but the competition is fierce. Success usually comes between ages 16–20; if you still haven’t debuted by 25, it may be time to reconsider your limits.

Shōjo magazines tend to deliberately nurture manga artists, setting up monthly contests and rankings. Even lower-rank prizewinners might receive editor mentorship. There are also manga schools for study. More often than sudden debuts, artists break in after years of repeated submissions and editor feedback.

Especially in shōnen manga, reader surveys are decisive—if a series doesn’t gain popularity quickly, it will be cut. For a manga artist, success means: drawing the kind of stories you love in the magazines you love.

But beyond drawing skill and storytelling, manga artists must also analyze readers’ psychology with objectivity and calm, and understand their own work with clarity.

Animation Staff

Most TV anime requires 24 frames per second, meaning animators must draw 24 pictures for every second of film.

Within animation, roles divide into:

• Key animators: produce the initial, rough key frames.

• In-between animators: refine, smooth, and add motion between the key frames.

Both are collectively called animation staff. The most important foundation is solid draftsmanship from all angles. Thus, studying basic drawing at an art university may be more helpful than immediately specializing in animation.

Working conditions are harsh: 10–15 hours a day, often overnight. Since about 70% of the world’s anime is produced in Tokyo, those who want international careers should aim to work there.

Employment can be freelance, signing per project, or as a contracted employee of an animation studio. Few start as freelancers; most gain frontline experience before becoming independent.

③ Collecting Beautiful and Interesting Things

Gathering treasures you love, arranging them neatly, and seeing them together from afar can bring immense joy. When others compliment your collection, the happiness doubles.

Jewelry Appraiser

A jewelry appraiser determines the grade of gemstones and issues certificates. For diamonds, evaluation is based on the international “4C standard” (Carat, Colour, Clarity, Cut). Appraisers work in jewelry stores, manufacturing companies, department stores, appraisal institutes, pawnshops, and import agencies. Some operate independently, purchasing and appraising gems.

Japan currently has no national certification for jewelry appraisal, so most appraisers train on the job in jewelry shops, gradually developing a sharp, discerning eye. Others study abroad in countries with established qualifications and training, such as the GIA Graduate Gemologist (GIA-GG) program in the United States, widely recognized worldwide. To obtain this, one can either study in America or at the GIA’s Japan campus.

Auction House Specialist

Auctions bring together buyers and sellers of paintings, prints, crafts, and jewelry. Auction houses regularly host sales, where works are bid upon publicly until a final hammer price is reached. The auction house typically earns a commission of around 10%.

Prestigious Western houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s are longstanding leaders, and Japan also has more than ten domestic auction companies. While there is no official license, most auction staff begin by joining an auction company. Japan’s largest firm, Shinwa Auction, generally hires university graduates. A background in art history, aesthetics, or museum studies is advantageous, but ultimately, personal qualities matter most.

Auction staff must be adaptable, ambitious, confident, professional, and service-minded. They need to cultivate deep knowledge of art, a sharp evaluative eye, and strong client communication skills. Since the range of auctioned goods is broad, specialists often focus on one particular field—be it contemporary painting, antiques, or jewelry.

Western Antique Dealer

An antique shop (Antique Shop) sells Western antiques. “Antique” usually refers to items over 100 years old; “Vintage” refers to those less than a century old, though in recent years “vintage” has become highly fashionable.

Most shops are independently run, and beginners usually start with part-time jobs. Dealers often travel to Europe or the U.S. to purchase stock. Knowledge of foreign languages and culture greatly increases opportunities. With enough experience, one may be entrusted with sourcing trips abroad before eventually opening a shop independently.

Operating independently requires a license under Japan’s Secondhand Articles Dealer Act, granted after attending official training. More than ordinary sales skills, antique dealers must understand the historical background of each item and explain it convincingly to customers. Courtesy and trustworthiness are vital.

Coin and Stamp Shop Clerk

Coin and stamp dealers buy and sell collectible items, focusing on rare or high-value pieces regardless of age. Shopkeepers may run their own stores, visit antique markets regularly, or operate stalls in department store fairs. In recent years, online sales have become mainstream.

Traditionally, dealers apprenticed under senior experts before branching out. Today, many are self-taught, opening shops independently. However, because value varies widely depending on era and condition, beginners often suffer losses. It usually takes three to four years to train one’s eye for quality.

No special license is required, though dealers must hold a police-issued permit for dealing in antiques. Market demand has decreased compared with the past, so it is difficult to make large profits. Still, for those who love stamps and coins, the joy of working daily with cherished objects makes this a fulfilling occupation.

Secondhand Clothing Shop Worker

Secondhand clothing dealers source garments domestically and abroad. They repair buttons, wash, iron, tag, and resell items. Shops typically employ several part-time staff, though some workers gain experience in larger secondhand chains before striking out on their own.

Working in this field builds knowledge of fashion trends, sourcing strategies, and customer preferences. Some experiment with flea markets or independent stalls, but without reliable sales channels, many are forced to close. Success depends on anticipating what will sell and maintaining unique procurement routes.

Recycling Shop Staff

Shops dealing in used goods—whether secondhand books, bicycles, or home appliances—fall under the category of “recycling shops.” They purchase clothing, household goods, and electronics, refurbish them as needed, and sell them in-store.

Operating requires a license under the Secondhand Articles Dealer Act, issued by prefectural public safety commissions. In today’s environmentally conscious society, the stigma once attached to “used goods” has lessened. With Japan’s sluggish economy, demand for affordable items has grown, injecting vitality into this sector.

The golden rule is to buy low and sell high, while ensuring both buyer and seller feel the price is fair. Dealers must evaluate goods accurately and price them wisely. Refurbishment, cleaning, or creative repurposing can further enhance value.

Most staff start by working in a recycling shop, learning the rhythms of the secondhand market and gradually acquiring the skills to strike a balance between supply and demand.