AYUMI
MIYAZAKI
SAMURAI HERITAGE
Circa 12th century CE - 19th century CE
Samurai were warriors who served feudal lords. Known for their loyalty, honor, and martial prowess, samurai adhered to a strict code of conduct called Bushido, which emphasized virtues such as courage, integrity, and self-discipline.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
INTRODUCTION TO AYUMI
I am 天遊美（Ayumi), a sumie(Japanese ink painting )artist.
I was born and raised in a nature-rich region of Japan, surrounded by the sea and mountains. Growing up, I lived in harmony with the changing seasons, always inspired by their ever-shifting beauty.
My childhood was filled with adventures in nature—making necklaces out of dandelions, catching fireflies and releasing them onto trees to create magical Christmas lights, fishing in rivers, collecting seashells on the beach, and climbing mountains.
As a child, I learned the fundamentals of ink painting from my grandfather, a sumi-e artist. Later, I studied graphic design at university and worked on various projects in fashion and color design. Now, I have come to deeply appreciate the richness of my sensory experiences in the Japanese countryside.
I focus on blending the traditional Japanese style of using brushes and ink with the colors and emotions that emerge from within me.
Through my art, I aim to share this unique harmony of nature and tradition with the world.
THE CULTURAL PIECES
The artwork reflects the samurai's strength, courage, and resolve. Incorporating symbols of the mountain, fire, and armor, it conveys steadfastness and valor. Mountains denote immovability and endurance; fire embodies intensity and passion; and armor signifies protection and the warrior's readiness for battle.
The artwork embodies the samurai virtues of self-discipline and purity. Its design elements symbolize water, wind, and the sword—each integral to the samurai ethos. Water represents adaptability and calmness; wind signifies freedom and the ever-changing nature of life; and the sword, particularly the katana, is revered as the soul of the samurai, embodying honor and readiness.