When I was a child, I spent six years in Europe. It was in the 1980s, so I guess there was not much information about Japan as there is today. At that time, I had a frequently asked question. “What kind of country is Japan?” — I couldn’t answer.

After more than 30 years, it is still a difficult question to answer. I could say it’s a very unique country and not like any other, but it is not that easy to put into words. I am now hoping that this series will be an answer to that question.

The title of this series is a coined word of Japanese word “WA” and “Atmosphere”. “WA” means “Japanese” or “Japanese style” in brief, but I think it contains more unique and ambiguous nuances of Japanese traditions, customs and culture. From my perspective, these nuances are deeply ingrained in our land, air and people. It is not just those obvious things such as Mt.Fuji, sakura, bonsai and so on, in which they are rooted.

Sometimes I feel it in the height of the sky that changes with the seasons.
Sometimes it is about a sense of distance between men and women.
Sometimes I can even see it in utility poles by the roadside.

These kinds of things are some essences of “WA” that I want to present in this series as my homeland.