Fugu

This is one of Tomohiro Todoroki's masterpieces, the ``Blessing Series.''

Fugu is called ``Fuku'' in some regions, and it is pronounced the same as ``Fuku'' and is considered to be an auspicious motif.
We put a smiling Ebisu on the fugu.

Ebisu-sama's characteristic broad smile and gentle expression symbolize "luck comes to those who laugh."
Its peaceful appearance gives people a sense of security and is said to bring happiness and prosperity.

This work, which combines the ``Fugu'' and ``Ebisu-sama'', which are popular as lucky charms, is a warm work full of happiness.

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Artist introduction

Tomohiro Todoroki
Born in 1974 in Tokyo

Tomohiro Todoroki is an artist known as a ``vehicle painter'' and has established a unique position in the contemporary art world. In 2002 and 2003, he exhibited at ART EXPO in New York, where his innovative and powerful style attracted attention and received international acclaim. In 2013, he held his first solo exhibition as an Asian artist at the Mille Miglia Museum in Italy. This groundbreaking exhibition cemented his status and made him widely known in Europe.
In addition to creating works, his talent has been highly praised in the field of commercial design, such as when he was selected by Maiani, a long-established Italian chocolate manufacturer founded in 1796, to design the package for the company's popular product, FIAT Chocolate.

His representative works can be divided into two categories: the vehicle series and the fortune-telling series. In the Vehicles series, the power and speed of industrial products such as automobiles, trains, and bullet trains are expressed through ``rickety, distorted lines'' that reflect the admiration and wonder of childhood. Furthermore, the rich colors are created through a unique technique of layering gouache, giving the entire painting a sense of life and dynamism. On the other hand, the Shofuku series uses traditional Japanese lucky charms such as beckoning cats, sea breams, and the Seven Lucky Gods as motifs, creating a group of works that combine loveliness and strength. Through these works, his works continue to deliver positive energy such as fun and happiness to the viewers.

His solo exhibitions always have the title "Happy Drive!" This title conveys the artist's message: ``We all move forward together.''

Main collection locations
Italian National Automobile Museum (Italy)
Mille Miglia Museum (Italy)
Toyota Museum (Japan)
San Diego Automobile Museum (USA)

Main exhibition history
2023-present: Seibu Shibuya store "Red Fuji" is displayed on the entire glass surface on the 1st floor of Building A (Japan)
2024: Solo exhibition at Sogo Yokohama store (Japan)
2023:
Solo exhibition at Hanshin Umeda main store (Japan)
Solo exhibition at Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin store (Japan)
Great contemporary art exhibition at Daimaru Tokyo store - Exhibited at "Pop & Street Exhibition" (Japan)
2022: Solo exhibition at Seibu Ikebukuro store (Japan)
2021:
GINZA Solo exhibition at SIX (Japan)
Provided works for Chiba Sogo store-wide promotion (Japan)
Solo exhibition at department store Ryubo Okinawa (Japan)
Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Sapporo store (Japan)
Solo exhibition at Daimaru Shinsaibashi store (Japan)
Solo exhibition at MUJI store (USA)
Seibu Shibuya store Works exhibited on two New Year windows (Japan)
2020: Solo exhibition at Seibu Shibuya store
2017: Works exhibited at the Italian National Automobile Museum (Italy)
2013: Solo exhibition at the Mille Miglia Museum (Italy)
2012: Exhibited at the classic car festival "Retro Mobile" (France)
2012: ARTY Solo exhibition at DANDY (France)

Awards
2009: Selected for the "New York Festivals Film Festival" educational program category
2003: Toshiko Okamoto Award for "GEISAI Museum"