HAGAKI Japan 2019 - New York 2023
postcard of Leaf
Pen, ink, stamp on handmade paper with pulp, leaf, receipt, gum wrapper, newspaper, gold dust, 2023
“Hagaki” means “postcard” in Japanese. The word "Hagaki" comes from the old days when people scratched leaves and sent them as letters, with “Ha” meaning leaf and “HAGAKI” meaning to write. In Japan, the post office still accepts a leaf as a letter and can sends it to the address on it. It became my habit. Whenever I found a leaf in the right size on the streets of Tokyo, I have collected it and send a leaf letter to my mother and lovers since 2018.
Strangely enough, all the recipients of the letter reported back to me on the messaging app.
I realized that, in today's society, people show their happiness and respect through immediate responses via message apps rather than bothering them to send a single heartfelt letter.
The speed of reply is more important than a single thoughtful letter, and the need for analog means of communication is disappearing. However, what this project has shown is that analog information allows the recipient to share not only text, but also a wealth of emotions, such as texture, smell, the sender's feelings, and the time it takes to receive the message. And communication with loved ones can transcend oceans and even the law.