“When I face a blank wall, I can’t help wanting to fill the space,” says Toshiichi Shimoji, the artist and printmaker behind Minami Print.
At his print studio in Nishinakasone, Hirara, Shimoji works across a wide range of projects—from local shop signs and souvenirs to corporate commissions—using techniques such as silk-screen printing. He is deeply involved in every stage, often heading to installation sites himself, leaving traces of his craft in the island’s scenery.
In his younger days in Tokyo, Shimoji’s dexterity led him to subcontracting work for animation productions such as Moomin. Around that time, he encountered the works of Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns at Minami Gallery (1956–1978, Ginza), an experience that profoundly shaped his artistic vision and drew him into the world of Pop Art.
After returning to Miyakojima, he founded Minami Print and at the same time became deeply absorbed in creating two-dimensional works. Long before silk-screen printing was familiar on the island, Shimoji began experimenting with the medium and actively participated in exhibitions both in Miyako and on Okinawa’s main island.
The fusion of the vivid Pop Art aesthetics he encountered in Tokyo and the raw, tropical energy of Miyakojima now defines his art. In Miyakojima, the year-round intensity of sunlight and ultraviolet rays causes plants to produce denser pigments to protect themselves—a natural phenomenon that seems to resonate with Shimoji’s own vivid sense of color.
In recent years, he has immersed himself in digital art, crafting a calm yet deeply narrative visual world. When he speaks about the stories behind his works, a gentle smile always crosses his face.
Visitors can experience his creations firsthand at Atelier Koa, the gallery adjoining his print studio.
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Questionnaire
Do you usually wake up early in the morning? > Around six o’clock.
Every morning, I make sure to offer tea and incense at the family altar.
What’s your favorite drink? > –
What color do you often use? > Bright, vivid colors. The influence of American Pop Art—especially Andy Warhol, whom I saw long ago—still lives in my work today.ow stains.
Is there a movie you’ve watched over and over again? >Amarcord (1973) by Federico Fellini During my time in Tokyo, I often went to repertory theaters to see classic films.
If you could pick one book from your bookshelf, which would it be? > Works by Albert Camus.
I’m drawn to stories that explore absurdity and existential questions.
> In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust.
It’s recognized by the Guinness World Records as the “longest novel ever written.”
Where is your favorite place? > Fishing spots.
From autumn through spring, I read the wind and weather before heading out to fish. I especially enjoy sayori (halfbeak); it has a light, delicate flavor.
If you had to choose one song that fits your mood right now, what would it be? > Smooth jazz.
What do you always carry with you?
> Glasses.
I’m starting to feel the effects of presbyopia.
Do you have any daily routines?
> I spend most of my day in front of the computer.
What’s a word or concept you recently looked up? > –
Do you have a method for generating ideas? > –
How do you usually express or output those ideas? > –
Is there anything you do regularly to stay health? > Facing each client sincerely, and making sure they’re happy with the result. I can’t do things halfway.
What do you value most in your work?
> I try to create a shop that excites me too—something that genuinely sparks joy.be done.
Is there someone you’d like to meet?
> Jasper Johns — a true master of contemporary art.
“Like a family restaurant — a place that serves the same familiar menu, delivering a taste of everyday comfort.”op That Fits the Times“
The bright green door of Café & Restaurant Glory House catches your eye from the street. Step inside, and you’ll notice the matching Green speaker crafted by Taiheizan Audio, filling the room with warm sound.
Glory House is known for its signature dish, “Myahk Chicken,” and for the Scones and Bagels that line the showcase visible from the roadside — both beloved by locals and visitors alike.
The restaurant was opened in 2014 by Yukie Ishigai and her husband Jumpei, and now, after eleven years, they are stepping into their twelfth year together.
The name “Glory House” carries a story — it was inspired by “Sakaeya,” the family-run guesthouse once operated by Jumpei’s parents in their hometown of Kita-Ibaraki. Though the place and form have changed, that family spirit continues quietly here on Miyakojima.
Before opening the restaurant, Yukie had a very different path. She was once an athlete, a dedicated track and field runner, until an injury forced her to give up competition.
Afterward, she began working part-time in restaurants and discovered a love for cooking.
Amid the long, busy shifts, she learned how to bake scones and bagels — skills that would later become the heart of Glory House’s menu.
Rather than being a “refined restaurant,” Yukie prefers to think of Glory House as a “fun and friendly dining place.”
“We want local people to feel comfortable dropping by anytime,” she says.
That sense of casual warmth lies at the heart of the restaurant’s philosophy.
After celebrating its tenth anniversary, Glory House is moving steadily toward a new chapter. The anniversary event brought together friends, family, and long-time patrons — people who have supported the restaurant’s journey. It became a heartfelt gathering, a living reflection of its history.
The spirit of cherishing everyday life — that gentle constancy — will continue to warm the hearts of Miyakojima’s people for years to come.
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Questionnaire
Do you usually wake up early in the morning? > Not really. I try my best to wake up right at the last possible moment.
What’s your favorite drink? > Wafé latte
I love it anywhere; every café seems to have its own good version.
What color do you often use? > Green. I tend to pick green without even realizing it.
What`s Your favorite subject in school?
Physical Education. I was on the track and field team. Someday, I’d love to run a marathon together with my kids.
Is there a movie you’ve watched over and over again? > Crayon Shin-chan: The Storm Called: The Adult Empire Strikes Back (2001).
I cry every single time I watch Crayon Shin-chan.
If you could pick one book from your bookshelf, which would it be? > Kingdom (manga) by Yasuhisa Hara.
I’ve been reading it for years and still enjoy it.
Where is your favorite place? > Hot springs.
Whenever I travel, I make sure to visit one — I love everything about them: the steam, the smell, even the soft-boiled eggs.
