The title of this painting is “Mifuji” (beautiful wisteria). It reminds me of an experience I had as an elementary school student in the US. I had climbed over the fence behind the school and entered the woods which were off-limits to us. In there was a clearing, and a mass of fragrant wild wisteria hanging in the bright sun. That magical vision has stayed with me until this day. Wisterias were a favorite subject for my paintings during High School and in college in the US. Even now, they are a motif I return to again and again.
![four panels folding screen “Mifuji”](https://wattention.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/wtt35-koyomi-002-800x450.jpg)
For this painting, I approached it as a portrait of the person’s essence, rather than their physical characteristics. It has a cheerful sky with copper and gold clouds. In the background I painted the words to the Noh drama play “Fuji”, using a fluid cursive script. In the Noh play “Fuji” the female spirit of wisteria blossoms takes the shape of an elegant princess who performs a special dance before fortunate witnesses. We can imagine the refined beauty of the person who inspired this painting.
![](https://wattention.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/drawing3.jpg)
ALLEN WEST
Born in 1962 in the US, Allan West settled in Tokyo and eventually graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from Tokyo University of the Arts. You can visit his open studio in Yanaka, Tokyo.
text & artwork / Allan West
coordination / Mariko Takahashi
photo / Keiji Okazaki