Our Story: Fuji and me
Hi,
I'm Ratty, an Australian, surf artist, tour guide, and passionate expat.
Prior to the year 2000 my Japanese wife and I were married at the main shrine at the base of Mt Fuji in Yamanashi. This is the area in which Kumiko spent much of her childhood and the place where our EDO period Studio was first built at the foot of the mountain by her Great, Great Grandfather in 1859.
Before moving to Japan I was an Australian Tour Guide taking International travellers on extended 4x4 tours to Kakadu National Park, Bungle Bungles, Gib River Road, Darwin and the Pinnacles as well as tours around the South West of Western Australia.
Following this we started a mini surfboard making business called "Ministix" on the Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) in the Australian state of Queensland. (We still authentically reproduce them, but now call this product "Modelstix").
Previously I had been given the nickname "Ratty" by my surfing mates because, over the years, I had kept several black and white rats as pets.
We eventually settled down in Tokyo and our passion for inspiring young people soon saw us found a Design Thinking based International Kindergarten which we set up in 2003. As we made frequent trips to the Yamanashi area, Fuji continued to grow on us both over those years and we eventually decided to take over the EDO house, and become more involved in the community within the district. Now we are moving to reforming this wonderful old building into our head office and Art Studio. In this regard, Covid has slowed us down a bit but we are still progressing!
Our vision is to re-unite art and life
It is our belief that people need travel to rediscover themselves. In this sense the host county also needs travellers. The stronger the connections the stronger the meaning. Through providing low cost art that helps rediscover a unique combination, a fusion of cultural perspectives, that can easily be related to, we aim to re-unite art and life, cultures and people.
The deeper symbolic meaning behind this vision therefore is the internationalisation of Japan. More people on both sides who are open minded and tolerant of each other, more rational in their thinking and more accepting of each others ways. Our efforts in this regard are slowly occurring, from the ground up.
Like you, we are teachers and artists, adventurers and explorers, we too believe in the future and we believe Fuji's mystery holds the deeper secret of turning the very complex into the very simple.
In turn, we need your support for the creative dream of a more open, sustainable future.
Lastly, what "re-uniting art and life" means to us is a connection between fellow travellers. There are approximately 10,000 Aussies living in Japan, most of whom probably want to be left alone, but not us! If you're travelling to Japan please do get in touch! If not we sincerely hope to meet you on the road.
Ratty (Rob), Kumiko, and the Fuji and me Team.