What this is
A talk event held at o-i STUDIO, Mitsubishi Pencil's experiential creative space located in Ota Ward, Tokyo, exploring the practical realities of sustaining a livelihood as an artist or creator. The event features creator umao alongside other participants sharing candid experiences about balancing creative practice with financial stability. It addresses the very real gap between making art and making a living — covering income strategies, work habits, and community engagement. This kind of frank, peer-to-peer conversation is relatively rare in Japan's creative scene, making it a valuable gathering for anyone navigating a creative career.
Who should go
Ideal for working artists, freelance designers, illustrators, writers, and anyone seriously considering a transition into a creative career. The intimate studio setting suggests a small, engaged audience rather than a large conference crowd, so expect genuine conversation and networking opportunities. Those early in their creative journey will benefit most from hearing real-world strategies from established practitioners. Arrive a little early to secure a good seat and to browse the studio space before the talk begins.
Good to know
o-i STUDIO is Mitsubishi Pencil's experiential creative space in Ota Ward — it is a boutique venue, so capacity is likely limited and early registration is advisable. Tickets or reservations are most likely handled directly through the o-i STUDIO website or a Japanese ticketing platform such as Peatix, which accepts foreign credit cards and is commonly used for small creative events in Tokyo. The event is conducted in Japanese, so non-Japanese speakers should be aware that interpretation will not typically be provided at this type of intimate studio talk. Bring a notebook — this is a participatory, idea-rich format where taking notes is both practical and culturally appropriate.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.