Wind through Pine Trees/ Reclining Dragon

Takehiko SUGAWARA

The painting hung at the front entrance is a work by the Japanese painter, Takehiko SUGAWARA.

It was in March 2025 that I had the opportunity to visit Mr. Sugawara’s atelier. He personally scattered cherry blossoms in the wind right before my eyes. That day was my wife’s birthday, and it became a supreme experience for us as a couple.

I had thought he would be an artist with whom we would have a long-lasting relationship. However, Mr. Sugawara passed away in July 2025. I was truly looking forward to the moment when Mr. Sugawara, visiting the completed AERO, would open the entrance door. I also used to envision him sketching cherry blossoms while staying at AERO.

We have displayed a work by Mr. Sugawara’s son, the artist Riku Sugawara, on the outdoor tennis court bench. You can find that story here.

We have displayed a work by Mr. Sugawara’s son, the artist Riku Sugawara, on the outdoor tennis-court bench. You can find that story here.

Takehiko SUGAWARA

Born in Tokyo in 1962, he majored in Japanese-style painting（Nihonga）at Tama Art University.
In 1996, a fateful encounter with the Jindai Zakura（Jindai Cherry Tree）in Yamanashi, which is over a thousand years old, opened the door to his unique artistry.
Deeply impacted by the vibrant dynamism of life and constant change emanating from the ancient tree’s trunk, he began to depict this vitality using highly original expressions.
He sought a wide range of subjects for his work, including the Usuzumi Zakura（Usuzumi Cherry Tree）, Taki Zakura（Waterfall Cherry Tree）, Garyū no Matsu（The Recumbent Dragon Pine）, and Kirifuri no Taki（Kirifuri Falls）.

While employing traditional Nihonga techniques—such as bleeding ink from the back of handmade washi paper from Echizen—he continuously explored new methods of expression.
This included deliberately creating cracks using shōen-boku（pine soot ink）, known as the oldest ink in Japan, to construct a magnificent world.

His success on the global stage began with a successful solo exhibition held in Paris in 2012.
His works, imbued with a rich breath of life, adorn the walls of world-renowned hotels and public facilities, including the entrance hall of The Symphony Hall.

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