The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun

Printmaker holds exhibition to protest war in Ukraine

- By Takaaki Ishikawa

Deep sorrow over Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine has driven Takashi Ono, a printmaker from Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, to exhibit about 30 new works he created in protest of war. Known for his cat motifs with heartwarmi­ng one-liners, Ono also illustrate­s for e Yomiuri Shimbun’s “Kotoba no Album” (Album of words) interview series in the evening edition.

He was encouraged to give an exhibition a er reading a quote in the series, which said, “ose who can do things should do what they can.” Ono said he hopes to share his desire for peace with as many people as possible.

Among the cats depicted in the exhibition, one is in prayer and another stands with its front paws stretched out in protest. All of the cats express sadness and melancholy, unlike his usual cats, which are somewhat humorous.

An acrylic painting 90 centimeter­s high and 70 centimeter­s wide depicts a cat dressed as Santa Claus shedding tears while cuddling children. In another painting, a Santa Claus cat stands in front of a squadron of Russian military tanks to block their attack on a Ukrainian city.

An artist with a career spanning 40 years, Ono, 70, has also drawn works with pen.

When he learned from news reports that Ukrainian children and civilians were being killed in the Russian invasion day a er day, “I felt I could not just stand by any longer,” he said.

Driven by emotion, he took up a pen and drew about 10 pictures in one night.

At the same time, he was struck by a sense of helplessne­ss in the face of the attack in a country far away. “Drawing pictures can’t end the ghting,” he thought to himself. In one work, he wrote: “Only Russian President Vladimir Putin can stop the war. No matter what I write here, it won’t mean anything.”

Feeling sad and hopeless, Ono remembered a quote he had come across through his work on the newspaper’s series, which features the mottoes of famous people based on interviews with them.

It came from when he illustrate­d for an interview with Yumiko Watanabe, the president of a nonpro t organizati­on that provides learning opportunit­ies for children from poor households. In the interview, Watanabe says she started her activities based on her father’s words, “ose who can do things should do what they can,” he had said about the idea behind serving meals to children in his neighborho­od.

“What I can do is draw pictures,” Ono thought to himself.

Until then, he had never displayed his pen drawings to the public, humbly thinking that they are only doodles.

Emiko Okawa, 53, who heads Atelier Okawa, suggested to display them. “While prints undergo preliminar­y sketching and compositio­n processes, pen drawings are improvisat­ional, so they can better express the artist’s emotions,” she said to Ono.

e exhibition started in February and Okawa continues to support it.

“e pictures are vigorous and convey his anti-war sentiment directly,” said a 21-year-old university student who visited the exhibition. “ey make me feel that I must keep thinking about this and not forget.”

Ono said that he feels his idea is being conveyed to young people through the exhibition more than expected.

“I still have con icting feelings, but I can’t help but draw,” he said.

He also said, “I hope the day will soon come when I can give an exhibition of funny works in my usual style and make people laugh together when they see them.”

Ono has created a print depicting a cat blocking a military tank along with the word “STOP!” e prints are sold for ¥500 each, with all proceeds to be donated to Ukraine.

e exhibition is being held on the second oor of FITNESS-SCHOOL121 in Katsushika Ward until May 29. It is open ursday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free and reservatio­ns are recommende­d.

(Published in print on April 8)

 ?? The Yomiuri Shimbun ?? Above: Printmaker Takashi Ono, left, is seen with Emiko Okawa, who has been involved in organizing his exhibition in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo.
The Yomiuri Shimbun Above: Printmaker Takashi Ono, left, is seen with Emiko Okawa, who has been involved in organizing his exhibition in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo.
 ?? © Takashi Ono / The Yomiuri Shimbun ?? Below: A print for sale by Takashi Ono depicting a cat blocking a tank. The proceeds will be donated to Ukraine.
© Takashi Ono / The Yomiuri Shimbun Below: A print for sale by Takashi Ono depicting a cat blocking a tank. The proceeds will be donated to Ukraine.

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