RyujiEnn Art Walks?

RyujiEnn Art Walks. I came up with this name towards the end of my time in Tokyo, but I didn't use it for a while because I wasn't sure where it would fit.

I used to use the name「RYUSI -RYUSI-」, but I stopped using it a few years ago because it was confusingly similar to my real name, Ryuji (RYUJI). Now I think, "Ryuji is just fine!" But since I've been thinking about pen names since I was a manga-aspirant child, I wonder if it's just a habit? In any case, in 2025, I moved to Amami Oshima, guided by my beloved cat, and decided to take the plunge—to use this name now! The word "En (Enn)" is a fitting name, as it represents connections between people and things, and a place to gather. The Kanji is based on meaning rather than pronunciation, although it may bring a vast library or a typical yakiniku restaurant to mind. If you add "Art Walks" to that, meaning the rest of my life as a person walking the path of an artist, it becomes a phrase that truly makes an impact.

The philosophy, or rather, the ideal way of life I had in mind from the beginning, became more concrete once the name was decided. People connect and gather through various connections, and if they are on the same wavelength, they can share. Each person has different abilities, and if we can respect each other's talents, the very act of living becomes art. It's not just painting, music, photography, sculpture, movie, or cooking; it's about creation and production that stems from the simple act of living.

Even without that, I believe there is value in human life itself. I would like to aim for something primitive that allows for the exchange of each of these inherent values. In today's capitalist world, where a competitive society is considered beneficial, and the current unstable situation, this may sound like nonsense to some people and situations, and it also contains real contradictions.

However, I hope to live my life to the fullest, keep the heart to enjoy everything, and leave something behind in this society. I may say this with confidence, but it has taken me over 50 years to reach this starting point. Facing many challenges, I simply want to pursue the simple act of living.