Star Festival (Tanabata) Coloring

Tanabata (star festival）is held on the evening of July 7th, when the two constellations Kengyu and Orihime, lovers in the sky though separated from each other by the Milky Way, are able to meet. Children and adults write their wishes on tanzaku paper and hang them, along with other paper ornaments, on bamboo branches.

© Motoko Shimizu

High School Girl Cats Coming Home

A special episode of a collaboration with my best drawing rival, Mitsuba. 3 high school  girl cats studying abroad in New York. They make new friends, then form a brass band ....  and coming home for break.© Mitsuba & Motoko Shimizu

High School Girl Cats Part 5

Part 5 of a collaboration with my best drawing rival, Mitsuba. 3 high school  girl cats studying abroad in New York. They make new friends, then form a brass band ....   This time, it was such a privelege for me to color her original drawing.

© Mitsuba & Motoko Shimizu

Sketch Part2@Points of Departure Exhibition,Japan Society

From Ezo Shima Kikan scroll, depicting Ainu's bear ritual. ca 1840.

Sketches@Points of Departure Exhibition,Japan Society

 A part of  'Cherry Blossom Viewing' screen from Edo Period (ca.1624-1644)

 From wood block prints by Shimizu Seifu(1851-1913)

Doll‘s Festival

“Hinamatsuri (Doll‘s Festival)” is held on March 3 to pray for young girl's growth and happiness. Each family sets up a display of Hina dolls clothed in colorful kimono © Motoko Shimizu

Michio Mado

Michio Mado, a Japanese poet, passed away on the 28th at age 104.
All Japanese kids grew up with the children songs he wrote lyrics. The most famous song is “Zo-san” (Little elephant).

Cutie on F Line on Tuesday Morning

Snowball Fight!

Drawing by Mitsuba, 9 and  Coloring by Motoko Shimizu

Men's Fashion Watching

Enjoy watching this guy's fashion in a Monday NY subway. Wall street type in late 50's with a high quality European coat and cute preppy accessories.

Flowers to You!

Family Portraits

 By Chef the cat

By Fireball the cat

Cold!!

Back to Work,,,

Something Yummy is Cooking

I doodled on "Daily Doodle" by Taro Gomi.

Cat Calender

What an honor! My best friend's 9 year old daughter was inspired by my new year's eve drawing and drew these wonderful drawings. The first one is a front page of 2014 cat coloring calender. I colored on the second one. Such a nice way to start a new year!

Masha

 19-year-old beauty.

Autumn Appetite

There are lots of delicious foods in Japan in autumn: fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, fish and

new harvest rice. People often say "autumn appetite." Bon Appétit！©Motoko Shimizu

Japanese Summer Festival

© Coloring by Yasuko Hirukawa & Drawing by Motoko Shimizu.

Japanese Summer festiva! People gather in their local communities and enjoy Bon dancing to rhythmic music, stroll around in a light summer kimono (yukata) , eat different foods offered at stalls, and cheer at fireworks. 

Rainy Season!

 For Coloring Fun!

From around early June to mid-July, most of Japan is subject to a period of rainy weather called tsuyu. Day in and day out, the sky remains gloomy, and temperatures and humidity rise. But the early summer rain helps plants grow and flourish, and it's a valuable source of drinking water. © Motoko Shimizu