Living Authentically Through Body Expression and Modeling

Could you start by introducing yourself?

I work under the theme “FREEDOM in Motion,” shaping freedom through dance and movement. My focus is on expressing the emotions and energy of each moment rather than being bound by specific genres or choreography.

How did your current career begin?

The starting point was living in eight different countries. I first went to the United States as an exchange student at sixteen, and later studied and worked abroad through graduate school and other opportunities. During those years I was constantly asking myself, “Who am I?” I realized that moving my body felt more natural and freeing than words as a way to express myself. In many places, I could not rely on language, and I had to find ways to communicate my strengths in order to live. I discovered that physical expression was something people could recognize and value without changing myself. I had practiced ballet since childhood and also earned qualifications as a yoga and pilates instructor, which gave me both flexibility and technique. Building on that, I have been pursuing “FREEDOM in Motion” with the aim of becoming a one-of-a-kind performer. At first, I started doing hair modeling as a hobby, and since I was already comfortable in front of the camera, it felt natural to me. From there, I gradually expanded my activities and began pursuing it more seriously.

When you first applied for the interview, your title was “model.” Earlier you also mentioned “dance.” How do modeling and dance connect in your work?

Modeling is primarily about making a product look appealing so it can be sold. That is why many models push themselves to keep their bodies extremely thin. For me, I want to keep expressing myself for a long time. That means maintaining a body that can move, while valuing health and sustainability. What they share in common is the ability to stir emotions in those who watch and to pose questions through expression. But my perspective is a little different. Moving between Japan and overseas, I experienced many moments of culture shock. Turning those experiences into something meaningful led me to body expression, which is why I continue to approach it in this way.

I see. So right now you are working as a model while also pursuing your own artistic expression.

Yes, I am grateful to be able to work as a model. More and more, I am also receiving opportunities to treat my artistic projects as work, which allows me to approach them in a way that feels closer to self-realization. I feel very fortunate for that.

That is wonderful. Could you tell us more about your theme, “FREEDOM in Motion”?

My first opportunity came in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I was photographed in front of the Petronas Twin Towers. I paid for the trip myself, but I felt a strong desire to express who I was through my body at that moment. I knew I was not a professional dancer, but I also knew there were ways to make use of the experience I had built. There are a lot of models with beautiful looks and slender figures out there. I just didn’t want to be easily consumed and forgotten. So I made up my mind to create my own path and express something that truly feels like me.

What was the very first spark that led you to begin this path?

It started with classical ballet, which I practiced from the age of four and a half until seventeen. I trained every day and was deeply committed, but because I grew up in an environment where academics came first, I had to leave it behind unfinished. That sense of something unresolved stayed with me, and the feeling that I wanted to keep expressing myself never went away.

I see. So using your body as a means of expression has felt very natural to you since childhood.

I think so. In Japan, there is still a strong sense that it is a virtue to conform to others. Through my body, I want to show that it is okay to live freely. I feel more suited to delivering messages through the body rather than through words. When I was seventeen upon my return to Japan, I became deeply absorbed in dieting and even damaged my physical and mental health. However, after starting “FREEDOM in Motion,” I began to see my body not as something to be judged by others, but as something that carries the messages I want to send out. This practice has become both a way to communicate with others and a source of support for myself.

That is very powerful. I often feel like I am living by conforming to those around me, which is why seeing someone like you embody “living freely” is so encouraging. For my next question, could you share both a moment of joy and a moment of difficulty from your journey?

Let me start with the challenges. In commercial settings—such as shoots for selling clothes—I strongly feel the weight of lookism. I once heard a very successful photographer say as a compliment, “This model doesn’t sweat, isn’t that amazing?” But in reality, it was simply the result of extreme dieting that had lowered metabolism, making it difficult to sweat. With such limited understanding, people are often evaluated in ways that overlook the real issues. In Japan’s commercial scene, there’s a strong preference for models who are young, have big eyes, and meet the “cute” standard. I understand that it’s part of selling products, so in a way, it can’t be helped. But watching people constantly being judged by those standards made me realize I don’t want to participate in that game. It was a huge learning experience for me. As for moments of joy, one stands out clearly. When someone who shared a similar sense of aesthetics discovered my Instagram portfolio and invited me to collaborate, I felt truly seen. I want to cherish my ability to recognize what’s truly authentic. In Japan, where people are often influenced by advertising and trends, I hope to keep nurturing my own sense of what genuine beauty really is. Recently, I went to the seaside in Enoshima with a photographer who resonated with that idea, and together we created a small project around the theme of “the blessings of nature.” Being able to connect with other creators who share my values, to make something together, and then share it with the world—that is the happiest kind of moment for me.

The phrase “true beauty” really struck me. What does “true beauty” mean to you?

I believe it is when the values and thoughts of an artist or model come through without a filter. Just as you can tell right away from a performance whether someone genuinely loves dance or not, those things always reach the viewer. Whether the person is enjoying themselves, the state of their inner world—those are the elements that naturally come through, and to me, that is what true beauty is.

I agree that it’s easy for the world to become superficial. It kind of reminds me of fake designer bags — as long as it looks the same, people think that’s good enough.

Exactly. People often impose many different standards on you. That is why I believe it is important to have the strength to show yourself as you are, living by your own axis. the society might tell you “this is how you should live,” but true beauty also includes expressing your own path as it is, even with the pain and difficult experiences along the way.

That takes a lot of courage. Were there times when you felt fear or conflict about moving your career in that direction?

With “FREEDOM in Motion,” I am building on something that already felt natural to me, so it was not such a struggle. It is not conventional modeling, and in that sense choosing a space with fewer competitors felt like a natural decision. What has been harder is openly saying “I am working as a model.” I have not told my family yet. Parents find stability reassuring, and the idea that modeling is a job where you sell your youth or appearance is still very strong. To declare it openly takes courage. So for now, when I talk about my work with acquaintances, I usually keep it light, saying “I do hair modeling” or “I do dance posing.” But what I really want is to establish my brand in a way that allows me to call myself what I am—an artist who expresses freedom through the body.

How has your life changed before and after beginning this form of expression?

The biggest change has been learning to make choices based on my own axis rather than someone else’s. I grew up as the eldest daughter in a traditional Japanese household, where I was expected to be disciplined, excel in both academics and the arts, and be obedient. My afternoons were filled with lessons like ballet, piano, and calligraphy, leaving little time to simply think or create something on my own. My mother always laid out the path ahead for me, so I never really developed the ability to decide for myself. Later, I went on an exchange program to an American high school, and when I returned to Japan I fell into reverse culture shock. Searching for where I belonged, I went on to live in several other countries. Through that experience I realized I could not just live up to others’ expectations—I had to listen to my own inner voice and take responsibility for my own decisions. Even while struggling, I began putting into action what I was feeling and thinking, and that naturally led me to my current work in expression. I came to understand that living true to myself is what connects most deeply to my happiness. Through this practice, I have gained not the courage to live quietly by fitting in, but the courage to express myself—even if it means being misunderstood or criticized.

You mentioned having lived in seven countries. Was there a particular time when you experienced strong culture shock?

The most impactful moment was when I returned to Japan at seventeen after a year in the United States. I had lived in a conservative small town of Mormons in Idaho, absorbing the local lifestyle and spending my teenage years feeling almost American. When I came back, my values no longer aligned with those in Japan. Even something as simple as going out in flip flops would invite comments like “What are you wearing?” and it would make me feel down. Experiences like that happened often, and I did not know how to cope, which was very difficult. From there I started to wonder, “Where can I truly live comfortably?” That question led me to study in Finland for university, then in Norway and Denmark for graduate school, and later to work in Bulgaria and Germany. Along the way, I studied psychology and philosophy, and through that process of introspection I gradually began to find my own way of living.

I see. So in just one year, your values changed dramatically.

Yes. Until I was sixteen, I felt like I barely had a sense of self and had almost no experience making decisions on my own. In the United States, for the first time, I went through adolescence by “choosing for myself” and “discovering my individuality.” That was also where I learned how to build relationships and make friends. Because of that, I think that one year became a major turning point in my life.

You really absorbed so much in just one year. And now, are you based in Tokyo?

Yes. My activities are mainly based in Tokyo at the moment.

You also spent time working abroad. What made you choose Japan as the place to continue your career?

After finishing graduate school, I began job hunting locally, but it happened to be right during the pandemic. I applied to nearly 200 companies, but nothing worked out. Not speaking the local language and being Asian were also big factors. So in 2021, I decided to return to Japan. Once back, I wanted to do something I truly enjoyed, so I worked as a yoga instructor. Little by little I built a community, made friends, and the feeling that Japan was a difficult place to live gradually faded. I also realized that the Japanese working culture and 9 to 5 lifestyle did not suit me, and I learned to accept that “what I cannot do, I cannot do.” By focusing on what I can do, I began to fill my days with things I love. That shift allowed me to appreciate Tokyo as a city, and to notice the good things about living in Japan.

So by creating distance from your old values, you were able to arrive at the stance you hold today.

Yes, I guess you could say I’m something like a pioneer of misfits. In Tokyo, I take part in discussion and sports groups. Through work I have gradually connected with photographers, studios, makeup artists, and stylists, and my network has grown. Right after coming back from the US, I felt that “everyone here is killing a part of themselves to get by.” But now I can see that there are many people who are full of life, many who genuinely like Tokyo and Japan. That realization has slowly rewritten my values. Looking back, I was choosing not to see those people. Now my perspective has broadened, and even when I look at the same things, I realize my way of seeing them has changed.

That is very inspiring. Looking ahead, what are your goals or things you hope to achieve?

My goal is to work internationally, even move to different places. I believe there are still very few artists with the kind of experiences and background that I have, so I want to use body expression and dance to become someone who can also help free the hearts of those who watch. I do not want my work to end with surface-level impressions. I hope people who see it feel that they too can live freely, that they too can make their own choices. Drawing on the culture shocks I have experienced and the trial and error of self-expression, I want to keep pushing myself to express at an even higher level.

That is wonderful. I will be cheering you on as well. Many people set big goals but struggle when they cannot see the path forward. How do you move toward your goals?

I try to always stay honest with myself and speak the truth. When someone points out an essence or truth, people tend to get defensive and put up walls. Yet I believe what is genuine has the power to truly reach the heart. That is why I make sure not to hide behind a mask or say things that do not align with my values. I try not to fear criticism, and instead focus on sharing what feels authentic to me. As long as I hold on to that axis, I believe I will not lose my way no matter how circumstances around me change.

You are so brave and inspiring. The road ahead will surely be full of challenges. When you face risky choices and have to decide whether to take the leap, even when you feel afraid, how do you make that decision?

There was a time when I broke down both physically and mentally and had to reset everything. Letting go of the values I had held until then became a turning point. The biggest lesson I learned was that no one else is responsible for my happiness. Also, the truth is, people are not watching me as closely as I once thought—both in good ways and bad. In the end, it is me and my life, and I have to take the wheel and make the decisions myself. Even if the future feels frightening, I focus on building up what is right in front of me. If possible, I choose to build with things I love. That way, I know I will have fewer regrets. So my guiding principle is to follow curiosity and simply do what I want to do.

Your words carry so much weight because they come from someone who has overcome struggles. Lastly, one of my favorite questions—if you could share a message with your past self, what would it be?

I’d tell my younger self, “Don’t just take what older people say as the correct answer— follow the truth in your own heart.” I was a pretty obedient child, so I think if my adult self had said that to me back then, I probably would’ve listened. Another message would be: trust the process. Results do not appear overnight. Something another person might achieve in a year could take you four or five years, and that is okay. What I am doing is self-expression, so there is no need to compare myself with others. I would tell myself to trust my own process and keep living true to it.

There must be times when you feel discouraged if results don’t come for a while. How do you get yourself back on track in those moments?

First, I make sure to take care of my body—hydration, food, and exercise. Once I have that in place, I remind myself that consistency does not have to mean doing something every single day. Allowing myself that permission feels important. For example, when I started posting short videos, I uploaded them daily at first. Lately it has been once every three days or sometimes once every five. And that is fine. At the end of the day, I am doing this for myself, so as long as I come back to that perspective, I can keep going. Especially for women, our bodies have natural cycles, and it is only normal to have days when we can do more and days when we cannot. I tell myself it is okay to be gentle with myself and to look at things over the long run.

Yes, let’s think in the long run. Lastly, could you share a message to the world?

I want to perform dance and body expression at festivals and exhibitions around the world. By engaging with different cultures and incorporating diverse styles of expression, I hope to share ways of living that are freer and more fulfilling.