1957        Born in Hiroshima, Japan

1983        Debuted in the comic magazine GARO

1984        Published the manga “Z CHAN”

In 1984, a project called “Z PLAN” was launched with the aim of exploring the possibilities of virtual worlds. The world of the little boy “Z CHAN”, symbolized by a magic hat and eye mask, was the theme, presenting a unique world filled with philosophy, hints, and mysteries through comics, books, novels, poetry, illustrations, paintings, performances, music, and other means. Most of his artistic works interfere with the current era in the world of “Z CHAN”, breaking down and reconstructing the elements of the manga “Z CHAN” into a simple artistic style.

The word ‘Z’ on the hat implies multiple metaphors, and Zen’s Z is also one of them. The simple black and white lines form the basis of spatial expression, presenting an aesthetic consciousness full of Zen meaning, reminiscent of the dialogue of “Zen Q&A” (“ぜんもんどう”).

The secondary character “Vanrogh Bear” appearing in the picture book “Vanrogh’s Honey” under the worldview of “Z CHAN” is highly popular among clothing and T-shirt manufacturers, and is said to have been inspired by the teachings of “Ten Bulls” that interpret Zen through images and poetry.

After 2000，the artist mainly active in the field of contemporary art. In 2021, He held his solo exhibition in Building 2 of Akitakata Municipal Yachiyonooka Museum of Art, Hiroshima.The second solo exhibition “Z 2022m” held in Kamakura can be said to be the current spatiotemporal coordinates of the Z CHAN world. In an increasingly chaotic era, what should we believe and pursue? The story will continue……