TOPICS-2

春は、桜
誰もが、満開の桜を待ち焦がれています

Spring means cherry blossoms.
Everyone eagerly awaits the full bloom of the sakura.

愉快です
滑稽です
思わず、笑ってしまいます

It is delightful.
It is comical.
I can’t help but laugh.

人も、草木も、鳥も、獣も、鬼の子も
日本の冬は、みんな雪の中です

People, plants, birds, beasts, and even little oni (demon children)
In Japan’s winter, everything rests beneath the snow.

蛇は、神様の使い
巳年は、再生と変化の年
今年こそは、良い年でありますように

The snake is a messenger of the gods.
The Year of the Snake symbolizes renewal and transformation.
May this year be a truly good one.

日本を代表する絵師の一人・葛飾北斎は、
優れた作品のみならず、数多くの優れた弟子をも輩出しました

Katsushika Hokusai, one of Japan’s most renowned artists,
not only created exceptional works but also produced
many outstanding disciples.

プライドを掛けて、 色々な戦いが繰り広げられます
多分、みんな本当は仲良しかな？

Pride is on the line, and various battles unfold.
But maybe, deep down, theyʼ re all actually good friends?

菱川師宣にやや遅れて登場した懐月堂安度は、弟子らを率いて肉筆画を量産しました
大柄な一人立の美人図を得意とし、その画風を慕う絵師達も数多く登場しました

Following somewhat after Hishikawa Moronobu, Kaigetsudou Ando
emerged and led his disciples in producing a large number of
hand-painted artworks. He specialized in portraits of large, standing
beauties, and many artists appeared who admired and emulated his style.

真面目に描いたのに、こんな顔になったのでしょうか？
それとも意図して、受けを狙ったのでしょうか？
果たして、絵師の真意は如何に？

Did the artist create this funny face unintentionally, despite their serious effort?
Or was it deliberately designed to be amusing?
What was the true intention of the artist?

戦国の世、明日知れぬ日々であるが故に、
今日を精一杯生きようとする意識が産まれました
︙

In the era of the Warring States, where tomorrow was alwaysuncertain,
there emerged a heightened awareness of living eachday to its fullest.
︙

上空から伺うHawk Eye、急転直下獲物を急襲
掴まれたら、逃げられません

From the hawk’s eye view above, the bird of prey swoops down in a
sudden, steep dive to ambush its quarry.
Once it has seized its target, there is no escape