Tomoo Gokita’s artwork has really done a number on me—and it’s been doing that for quite a while now. From my first encounter with his illustrations on a CD jacket, to his drawings oozing with a humor quite unlike any other, his blunt yet charming typography, and his soulful creations as a painter. No matter the era or piece, his sense is consistently outstanding, and I feel a quiet thrill in knowing there’s someone who can turn that raw impulse before meaning into art—so vividly, and with such innocence.

With a gentle smile, he spoke of days spent in honest confrontation with painting, with no clear direction in mind. What he said came straight from within, and in that raw honesty—with all of his discord and delight laid bare—I caught a glimpse of humanity in its deepest, purest form.

That same “something”—raw and alive—shone through in the many drawings and photos he shared so openly during this interview. Take it in slowly—one piece at a time, like leafing through pages in silence.