Tomoko, is an artist and dancer and teaches salsa in Tokio
Passion, Love and anger...
I
didn't realize that I have so many things in me,and that I always wanted
to express them, until I started dancing when I was 22. These things would
be passion, anger, hatred, love and so many different aspects of my emotions.
I strongly believe that dancing is a language. A language, without words.
I use the language to express myself and sometimes I even talk to myself
with it. With the language, I become so honest and free to myself...
Becoming an artist...
I've
never dreamed that I would become a painter- an artist. Painting is like
a journey to me. A journey through my mind. I go to the different places
in my mind, my thoughts, my spirit. Places where I've never been to ,within
me. Quite often, I discover something new about myself and sometimes it
surprises me to know that I have such thoughts or ideas within me. Or,
sometime it reminds me of something very important, that I've forgotten
a long time ago.
Painting...well...
The
reason I like painting is basically the same reason as why I have passion
for dancing. These are the way I express myself without any hesitations.
I could be completely free and honest to myself and I don't have to care
about anything. It is very personal and shows something really deep inside
about me. Dancing and painting are like tools, the tools to open my heart
or to dig really deep inside of me.
Talking
about a journey...
I
have always liked travelling. I tell you this because I believe what I
saw, or what I experienced, or what I felt, are the source from which
I am moved to paint, or dance to express myself.
The first foreign
country was New Zealand, and The United Kingdom, Scotland, Egypt( by myself)
,Italy France ,Greece, Spain, USA, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Holland,
Belgium...
In some countries, I traveled with a bunch of young people, about 160
of us,from 25 different countries. Basically, we stayed in a different
host families with different roommates in the group. ( changing every
2 to 4 days) The purpose of this group ( named "Up With People") is to
have better understanding about different cultures, and people who are
from different countries, by living and doing one project together.
I
believe only one language, that everybody can speak(or understand) would
be "music" and "dancing". It doesn't matter if you're good at it or not.
Anyway, what I wanted to say was ,I was able to experience so much in the
Up With People. Some are experiences that you can't buy with money. Of course
,everything has affected me, like living in UK for two years, before I joined
to the Up With People. That was my first experience of living in a different
country.(I was 22) I must say that to live and to travel are two different
things. 
I
used to work at a travel agency in Japan.
If
I think about it, I always sell dreams to people. Or I have to admit
that I ,myself am one of the dreamers.
