Amin Abbas

DUBAI: Akiyuki Tsuru is a Japanese artist who is deeply committed to themes of traditional crafts and nature conservation. His surname shares a connection with the crane ‘鶴 Tsuru,’ a bird traditionally regarded as auspicious in Japanese culture. 

After the loss of his father and brother and experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, he reflected on the concept of mortality and renewed his determination to depict cranes through art.

His exhibited work is centered around the motif of the “crane,” symbolically expressing themes of yin and yang, coexistence, and peace. By using sacred materials such as cypress and cedar wood, he paints the crane with acrylics on canvas.  The addition of purifying sand, gold leaf, and silver leaf brings a sense of sacredness and harmony.

By incorporating traditional Japanese materials and techniques, he has created a piece that blends tranquility with strength. This work conveys the crane’s eternal vitality and the importance of coexistence with nature, allowing viewers to experience a sense of inner peace.

Tsuru told Arab News Japan that he started creating art in 2023, but the urge to express himself had always been with him, shaped by his experiences studying at an art university and various ups and downs in life.

“From playing in a band, a serious accident, living with debt, to the loss of my beloved brother and father—these turning points led me to confront the question, “Why do I live?” and ultimately brought me to contemporary art. My core concept is crane, which is also my family name, Tsuru. I use the crane—an auspicious symbol in Japan—as a motif to explore dualities such as light and shadow, harmony and conflict, and the individual and the collective.”

“My work aims to be a prayer-like fusion of traditional Japanese aesthetics, modernity, and spirituality. Also, I hope to help preserve the vanishing techniques of traditional temple carpenters through my art,” he added.

Tsuru’s first project was launching a YouTube series called “ART BREAK,” where he created and produced the show to energize the Japanese contemporary art scene.

About the challenges that he faced during his projects, Tsuru said, “As a complete newcomer to the art world, I often found it difficult to trust my own sensibilities without being constrained by techniques or industry norms. However, that flexibility allowed me to connect with others and meet people who resonated with my work, which gave me great encouragement.”

About distinguishing his art style brand from other art styles, Tsuru said: “My style is defined by the fusion of ‘Japanese tradition and spirituality with modernity.’ Using native materials such as paulownia and cedar and incorporating gold leaf and traditional compositions, I combine them with media like acrylic and mineral pigments to create a unique visual expression.”

“My motif, the crane, also connects my work with social issues—especially environmental concerns such as wetland conservation. I donate a portion of my art sales to such causes. My art is not just decorative—it’s a way of life,” he added.

Tsuru’s most influential aspects have been “Yin-Yang philosophy” and the Japanese sense of beauty. “I deeply resonate with the idea that all things—light and dark, male and female—exist in harmony,” Tsuru said.

“In daily life, I value this harmony and approach relationships and creativity with a spirit of giving rather than taking. Also, integrate Japanese culture into my lifestyle by wearing vintage kimono and traditional textiles as part of my fashion,” he added.

Tsuru was one of the Japanese artists who were invited to World Art Dubai 2025.

This is my first visit to Dubai and I was very pleased to meet different people and learn more about the culture here.”

Tsuru is planning a solo exhibition titled “The Crane’s Return” in July 2025 in Fukuoka. “I’ll also continue producing the contemporary art program “ART BREAK,” with a live taping event for 300 guests scheduled for September 2025,” Tsuru said. “My goal is to build a platform where artists can connect, inspire one another, and create social impact through the power of art.