Paint the Spirit of Prayer with Kannon Artist in Kamakura, Kanagawa

A Relaxing Space Surrounded by Fresh Flowers

Set a little away from the busy tourist paths, Kita-Kamakura is where historic temples meet green hillsides. Among them are Engakuji Temple and Kenchoji Temple, two of Kamakura’s five great temples. From Kita-Kamakura Station, a gentle 15-minute walk uphill leads you along a path lined with sunlight-dappled branches and wildflowers, ending at kokotama gallery, the venue for this experience.

Surrounded by nature, kokotama gallery is an atelier where seasonal flowers offer a gentle welcome \

Inside the sunlit atelier, vibrant paintings focused on Buddhist themes, especially Kannon, fill the walls. A teardrop-shaped window near the entrance echoes the “treasure jewel” Buddha holds—a symbol believed to grant all wishes and embody the Buddha’s virtues. Entering this space, which blends naturally with its calm surroundings, a quiet joy settles as you prepare for a special creative moment.

Light pours in through two windows, connecting the bright interior with the outside world

A Leading Kannon Painter Celebrated in Japan and Abroad

Youka’s work expresses the spirit of Kannon, bodhisattva of compassion, healing, and harmony, through a distinctly modern lens. Her approach transcends religious boundaries, blending traditional themes with contemporary sensibility. Since holding her first solo exhibition in 2014, she has gone on to donate works to sacred sites such the Golden Temple in Nepal, the holiest pilgrimage site for Sikhs. Her pieces have also been exhibited at prominent temples across Japan, including Miidera in Shiga, Hasedera in Nara, and Toji in Kyoto.

Youka, a Kannon painter capturing the spirit of prayer and compassion

After high school, Youka moved to the United States to study art and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors from New York University. During her time abroad, she began to look inward, reconnecting with her cultural roots and the traditions of Japan. “I found myself drawn to the Kannon Bodhisattva after returning to Japan, revisiting history books and temple sites,” she recalls. The gentle, open-hearted image of Kannon moved her deeply, not only for its beauty, but for the heartfelt prayers people had offered to it across generations.

Signature Kannon painting, ”Blue Maitreya”

The Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 also left a lasting imprint on her work. “I was devastated by the scale of the disaster,” she says, “but I also felt overwhelming gratitude for the prayers offered by people around the world.” In that moment, she saw prayer as something that transcends belief—a universal act of connection and care. Seeking permission directly from temples, she began developing a style of Kannon painting embraced beyond religious lines.

“I see Kannon statues as living expressions shaped by the most advanced techniques and colors of their time, entrusted with beauty and prayer,” Youka explains. Her goal is to add new colors and meanings to this tradition through her own creations.

Alongside paintings, Youka creates wooden three-dimensional works called “kokotama” (heart beads)

Youka opened kokotama gallery in 2015. Seeking a calm space to create, she chose Kita-Kamakura, drawn to its quiet hills, rich natural beauty, and a sense of community rooted in the land. The flowers outside her window, the shifting sky, birdsong, and even the hum of insects all offer inspiration. The surrounding environment, she says, is part of the creative process itself.

A Vivid World Imagined by People of the Past

In this Wabunka-exclusive plan, you will create a miniature artwork featuring a lotus flower under the guidance of Youka. Set in her serene, secluded atelier, this workshop invites you into her world of prayer through painting. It’s also a rare occasion for Youka—typically focused on exhibitions and commissioned pieces—to lead a special workshop in her own studio.

A completed lotus flower artwork painted with acrylics known for their vivid color

The experience begins with Youka’s explanation of Buddhist motifs and Kannon paintings. The lotus flower, central to this plan, is called the “flower blooming in the Pure Land” and symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and rebirth in Buddhist belief. You will also receive a basic introduction to acrylic paints—their characteristics, handling, and techniques. Youka’s gentle, relaxed teaching style makes this accessible even for first-time painters.

Receive a careful introduction to each painting tool and its use

Paint Mini Kannon Art in a Coloring-Book Style

In this mini art creation experience, you will paint on a canvas board (18 cm wide × 14 cm long) featuring a pre-drawn outline, using acrylic paints of your choice. Youka also prepares pre-mixed paints if you prefer. As you bring the soft colors to life, you will add gold lines with an easy-to-use pen. Under Youka’s gentle guidance, you will create a pure, blooming lotus flower.

Materials designed for beginners, including brushes that hold just the right amount of paint

This plan offers an optional upgrade (additional fee required) to paint a Kannon figure instead. “Using painting’s unique qualities, you can give Kannon natural movement and expression,” Youka says. Follow your own instincts to complete a lively, smiling Kannon painting.

A completed Kannon painting from the optional upgrade. A rare opportunity to learn directly from Youka, a practicing Kannon painter

Paint the World of Prayer and Reconnect with Your Inner Self

Youka shares that her wish is to create art that “brings the compassion of Kannon into daily life, calming the heart through its warmth.” Her studio in Kita-Kamakura, surrounded by seasonal flowers, offers a calm and inviting atmosphere for this experience. In today’s busy world, opportunities to connect with the spirit of Kannon are rare. Take this chance to feel Kannon’s presence, enter a world of prayer, and spend quiet moments reflecting on your inner self.

Create art that speaks to the heart in a tranquil gallery setting