YOSHIDA YASUMASA was only 14 years old when he decided to become a Buddhist sculptor.
About 26 years ago, when I was running Gallery Uchida in Azabu Juban, Tokyo,he and I met at first.
I do not remember what we talked about at that time, but I remember that he was a young man with clear eyes.
His expression seemed to indicate that he had already decided on the path he wanted to take and was ready to master it.
Whenever I met him, he always seemed to me to be a young man who was earnestly facing up to the idea of “LIVING”.
Whenever he came to the gallery, he would show us not only his wood carvings, but also his dry-lacquered Buddhist statues and other works he had made.
Since then, up to the present day, He seems to have continued on his way, stopping and looking back, but without turning aside or faltering.
And I am convinced that this is true from the words of two masters of wood carving, whom he admires and respects.
I have no doubt that Buddhist statues made by him, deities, and new forms will be rooted in the classics, but will be infused with the spirit of him and become what people want to see.
内田明夫 (Uchida Akio)
Uchida Farm owner
in Nagano pref, Japan
https://uchidafarm.com/
https://intojapanwaraku.com/gourmet/112892/