Chitose Saegusa -

Chitose was the eldest daughter, and in the Saegusa family, that meant a life of kigai — a word that meant both "bearing" and "sacrifice." Her father, Kenji, was a conservative politician of the old guard, a man who believed that a woman's greatest achievement was to be a flawless vessel for her husband's ambitions. Her mother, Sachiko, had long ago perfected the art of the porcelain smile, her own dreams lacquered over with duty.

Saegusa's music has also transcended borders, with her songs featured in various international films, dramas, and commercials. Her 2015 album, "Love is...," was released globally, introducing her music to a new audience. Chitose Saegusa

In recent years, Saegusa's work has begun to gain international recognition, as scholars and readers outside of Japan have discovered her writing and scholarship. Her essays and fiction have been translated into several languages, including English, French, and Chinese, introducing her ideas and perspectives to a global audience. Chitose was the eldest daughter, and in the

Her technical method—mixing raw gansai pigments with acrylic emulsion to create what she calls "hybrid Nihonga"—has been taught at the Kyoto City University of Arts, where she served as a visiting professor from 2016 to 2022. Her 2015 album, "Love is