Haniwa Warrior 51

By Noe Kuremotoo

PROJECT HANIWA*
My interpretation of ancient clay figurine Haniwa.*
For years I was afraid to become an artist.
Afraid to voice my honest view of the world.
Afraid to sacrifice the security and comfort of my day job.
Afraid to admit it was killing my soul.
Afraid of confrontation.
So I stayed agreeable - to avoid it, at all costs.
I did it long enough that I could no longer hear my own voice -
the voice that said what I really want to do is make art.
I kept quiet,
so no one would know I was failing at my true calling.
It became my deep, dark secret.
I was too scared to lose that end of the month pay check.
I’d tell myself – You have a mortgage, a family.
A legitimate excuse, socially acceptable.
But my soul grew weaker and weaker,
the more I didn’t demand the best from myself.
I became my worst self.
Who could kill my own soul.
This is how I came to make my Haniwa.
I would like to share them with you.
Especially you who are ready to take on your maximum challenge. One you’ve longed for in your heart, longer than you care to admit. Let us stand up, our souls united, stronger for taking this important true step together.
All my strength to you.
I salute you.
- Noe Kuremoto 2021
*Haniwa are the traditional clay figures buried with the dead during the Kofun period of Japan, in the belief the Haniwa would protect souls in the after life. My hope is that my Haniwa will protect our souls in this world. For you who feel your job kills your soul.
For you who once had a dream that has become dusty over the years.
For you who use your mortgage, your family, your children as your excuse to stay where you are - even though you have so much more to offer.
For you who hear the clock ticking.
For you who do work that makes you ashamed, but the money keeps your head down, your mouth and eyes closed.
For you who are dying for Friday.
For you who grow more bitter every day.
For you who snap over the smallest thing.
For you who do not want to sacrifice your comfortable life.
For you who smile, nod, agree to avoid confrontation.
For you who have a goal in life but are too afraid to voice it out loud (so long as you do not voice it, no one will know you are failing at it).
For you who want to study something new yet never act.
For you who want to quit your job yet never do anything about it.
For you who know you need to move on, who know that means you will need to leave friends behind. It’s too much, too unknown, and so you stay still.
For you who are afraid to be poor.
For you who can’t stop scrolling through old friend’s successes on social media.
For you who stay where your soul feels weak.
For you who can’t help but to compare yourself with people whose lives have nothing to do with yours.
For you who feel like a slave to the world, powerless and hopeless.
For you who want to take on a challenge but can’t get your act together.
For you who are ready to demand the absolute best from yourself and work towards it.
For you who are no longer willing to sell your soul.
We unite. We stand up. We make our spirits stronger together.
All my strength to you. I salute you.