Yoshida Nobara is a Japanese illustrator and graphic designer from Miyazaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu. 

She earned a degree in Scenography, Space, and Design at Musahino Art University (Tokyo) and then worked at RISSIINC Creative Studio. 

In 2017 when her husband came to the Philippines for work, Nobara-san left behind her comfort zone and everything familiar in order to be with him and be a supportive wife. 

But she brought with her creativity and passion for life. As soon as she began her new journey as a Japanese wife in Manila, she started chronicling her experiences through a picture diary which she posted on her Instagram account: @nobara_philippines_diary. These have grown into a collection and the longer she stayed here, the more she appreciated it.

“I have fallen in love with the Filipinos and this country,” Nobara-san confesses. 

It is a delight to see some of my own experiences in the Philippines through her vision and art; it points to the fact that we have  a lot more in common with foreigners than we think. It is endearing one would develop an affection for our country. 

Nobara-san herself sees her art as a bridge of friendship between our two countries as well as a means to promote to the world the life and culture in the Philippines. 

Her first solo exhibit—- NOBARA’S PHILIPPINE DIARY, The Philippines Through The Eyes of a Japanese—- is on this weekend, Saturday, October 27 (10am-10pm) and Sunday, October 28 (10am-5pm) at Nova Gallery  (@novagallerymanila) Warehouse 12A, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati.

On display are her illustrations and  handmade pins from clay with traditional Filipino music playing on a vinyl record turntable in the background.

For more information, please click HERE to see Nobara-san’s website.

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Deuteronomy 10:19

“So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.”