What inspires you to write?

Time and passion.

Does graffiti and street art from other parts of the world influence your work? Do you consider your work very Japanese?

Yes, influenced by as much as I have seen. I have likes and dislikes. I get stimulated from the area and living not only by a piece of work. It is very relaxed in Shonan we have plenty of time to contemplate.

HITOTZUKITOMOTEL (SHIZENTOMOTEL + HITOTZUKI)

What makes it very Japanese?

Every day I speak Japanese. I draw Japanese characters, using Japanese spray cans. It is not theoretical but it is a little theoretical. It is unconscious.

What are your favorite spots to hit?

Somewhere huge. I like old, ruined buildings that have an atmosphere of standing there for a long time. Of course, new walls are also okay. Not all spots are okay, though, as the air and the time of the place is very important to me.

Do you pay attention to what other artists are doing?

Sometimes I am concerned about other people’s style. It is very enjoyable to see someone improving, developing and revolutionizing. But it is also cool that the work and style of some artists does not change. When I see wicked works, I get nervous that we are not as good. In this way I try to do lots of fantastic work.

Who are some of the artists that you really respect?

Writers in Kanagawa and artists who show possibility. I am thankful to have been born and grown up in Japan in this era.

What do you like about working as MOTEL, as a team?

MOTEL is motivated. I know what I can do and what we want to achieve is close.

What do you think passersby think of graffiti? Vandalism or public art?

Every person thinks differently and that is okay. It depends how they get to know graffiti but hopefully they think it is interesting. Life is not for demotivation; it is for actions, achievements, satisfaction.

Do you write in Japanese or English?

It’s not so fixed as doing one or the other, but recently I’ve been writing in Japanese. Until I draw, it is not decided whether I will write in hiragana, katakana or kanji. Japanese letters have variety. They can be drawn with one stroke or as many as 30 strokes. Including kanji, there are many symbols that I do not know about so to achieve a balance is very unique.

Click to enlarge.

Who else do you paint with?

HUZE, MAES, CHES, KANE, BUTOBASK, ROM, KAMI, SASU, DASTE, JOTA, MAKE, YMOT, OBS, VERY, SUIKO, EMAR, TENGA.

HITOTZUKITOMOTEL (SHIZENTOMOTEL + HITOTZUKI). Click to enlarge.

What are your dreams or goals with your art?

These walls are my goal—there is something waiting out there.

HITOTZUKITOMOTEL (SHIZENTOMOTEL + HITOTZUKI). Click to enlarge.

SHIZENTOMOTEL + TENGA (unfinished).