Encouraged by the Works and Life of Tomihiro Hoshino
The news of Tomihiro Hoshino's passing has arrived. Having been encouraged time and again by his works and his way of life, I would like to leave a few thoughts here.
Tomihiro Hoshino, a poet and painter who created his works by holding a brush in his mouth after losing the use of his limbs, passed away at a hospital in Midori City, Gunma Prefecture, at 6:32 p.m. on the 28th due to respiratory failure. He was 78. He lived in Shinzato-cho, Kiryu City. He produced numerous paintings featuring seasonal flowers and poems expressing his thoughts on life, existence, and the bond between mother and child.
Mr. Hoshino was born in 1946 in the former Seta-Azuma Village (now Midori City). He graduated from the Department of Physical Education at Gunma University's Faculty of Education. He became a junior high school teacher, but in 1970, he suffered a cervical spinal cord injury during a club activity he was supervising. While hospitalized, he began writing and painting by holding a brush in his mouth. He held his first exhibition in Maebashi City in 1979. After being discharged, he energetically pursued his creative activities. The Tomihiro Art Museum opened in his hometown in 1991. He was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of the Prefecture in 2006.
https://www.jomo-news.co.jp/articles/-/456432
Since Mr. Hoshino was a Christian, I had known for some time about how he came to be a Christian and about his creative activities.
Tomihiro Hoshino became a junior high school teacher, but he suffered a cervical spine injury while supervising club activities, which left him unable to move his limbs. While hospitalized, he began to write and paint by holding a brush in his mouth. Later, he encountered Christianity and became a Christian.
Visiting the Tomihiro Art Museum last year led me to learn about him more deeply. Recalling that time, I will record here some of the things that left a lasting impression on me.
When I arrived at the museum by rental car, the first thing I saw was a vast parking lot on both sides of the road. The area in front of the museum was reserved for people with disabilities. General visitors were directed to park on the opposite side of the road, so I parked there.
After buying a ticket and going inside, there was a wonderful man who guided me. When I looked at what he was wearing around his neck, it said, 'I am deaf.'
Then, I walked around and looked at everything in order. Each poem touched my heart. The paintings were wonderful, but I really loved the poems.
The content of the poems covered a wide range of topics, including daily life, his inner thoughts, and writings about God. There was a considerable number of works.
My favorite poem is 'Sardine'.
When I open my mouth to eat a sardine, the sardine also opens its mouth. It is my mother who carries the sardine to my mouth. When I look, my mother's mouth is also wide open, saying 'Aah'. Because the sardine was dried from the water, and I am here to eat it, and my mother is here out of love for her child, we are all endlessly continuing to chew in the midst of the mouth called 'time'. Two people and two fish are opening their mouths for all they are worth, during a modest lunch hour.
Even after returning home, my excitement did not cool down, so I immediately searched for his poetry collections online. Since collections consisting only of poems were not sold at the museum shop, I ordered them online.
Since that day, I have been opening and reading the poetry collections every now and then. Because I know the life of Tomihiro Hoshino, I am encouraged by looking at his many works, and I continue to be encouraged while reflecting on his way of life.
I pray that Tomihiro Hoshino, who has returned to heaven, may rest in peace. And I hope that those who encounter his works in the future will continue to be encouraged.
▼ As an editor's note
Tomihiro Hoshino is the person who taught me that a way of life can encourage others. Since then, I have decided to live my life to the fullest, and I have aimed to live each day to the fullest before God. I intend to work hard again this year.
May 1, 2024