Takashi Murakami: Japanese contemporary artist

Sushi, kimonos, geisha, robots, and Mount Fuji may makes you think of Japan. Once you arrive in Japan, you will probably be surprised by the popularity of myriad manga (Japanese comics) and kawaii (Japanese for "cute") fashion around the country. These pop culture trends deeply influence Japanese commercial activities, and even daily life in that society. For instance, you might easily catch a glimpse of younger people as well as the elderly reading manga in the metro, or you might find yourself gazing at Japanese dressing in kawaii clothing. 

The cultural atmosphere impels Takashi Murakami (1962- ), an internationally renowned Japanese contemporary artist, to create many art pieces about otaku culture. Otaku refers to a person who is addicted to anime and manga fandoms. And this kind of artworks made Takashi Murakami world-famous. Let’s see his “cute” artworks first.

壽司、和服、藝妓、機器人、富士山讓人聯想哪個國家？
日本! 
的確，一旦有機會抵達日本，你會驚訝四處充滿漫畫和卡哇伊流行，這樣的文化早已深深影響日本當地的商業活動和日常生活。舉例來說，走在路上會瞥見穿著可愛打扮的男女，地鐵裡的青少年和老年人都在讀漫畫，商店販售大量卡哇依商品。種種獨特的文化風格，促使日本當代藝術家村上隆（1962 - ），創作關於御宅族文化的藝術作品，並使村上隆躍上世界的舞台，大放異彩。一起來看看這些「可愛」的作品。

御宅族：沉迷動畫和漫畫的人

And then and then and then and then

Mr.DOB

Tan Tan Bo Puking

Time bokan-pink

Miss Ko2

Flower Ball

Kaikai Kiki 

Planet 66

Jellyfish Eyes

Jellyfish Eyes- Max and Simon in the Strange Forest

Super Nova

Eco Eco Rangers Earth Force

In 2003, he cooperated with the fashion brand Louis Vuition.

2003年，村上隆與時尚品牌路易威登合作

Eye Love Superflat

Take a look at an anime ”Superflat Monogran Cartoon”.

P.S. The term Superflat, an art movement founded by Takashi Murakami, refers to the sense of emptiness in Japanese popular culture and art, as nowadays Japanese like cute things lacking substance. 

Here are his art pieces displayed at the Palace of Versailles, France, in 2010.

2010年，村上隆的作品展示於法國凡爾賽宮

Image from Takashi Murakami and Château de Versailles