Makoto Fujii creates works on the theme of “Japanese realism,” a new and nostalgic style of painting that is neither Japanese nor Western, by realistically depicting the Japanese sense of beauty with the Western technique of oil painting. He chooses “water” as a motif in order to depict the shaking of something with no definite form in oil paint, and continues to paint it because he is attracted by the fascination and figurative beauty of the way it changes every time he paints it. It is also important for the artist who aims to express the feeling of formless things that sway in the wind and change color depending on the light. The paintings are not of special places of interest or scenic beauty, but of the scenery around our feet, and although they are not showy paintings, they are “gently gentle” works that continue to depict familiar yet beautiful and important landscapes hidden in our daily lives. The reflections of the water and the close angles of her paintings make us imagine the parts that are not depicted, like a haiku. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Fujii’s career. We are pleased to introduce his new works, which were created by going back to the starting point.