Junko Mizuno | Kappa Lady Botan | Acrylic on canvas | 18" x 36" | $4500

Junko Mizuno's latest work is currently showcased at Portland's MOSHi MOSHi.  Mizuno is well-known for her kawaii noir (darkly cute) drawing style captured in her popular manga as well as her work exhibited at Nucleus and Merry Karnowsky galleries.  Her solo show at MOSHi MOSHi finds the artist drawing influences from popular Japanese folklore.  Kappa are legendary mischievous water sprites often depicted with tortoise-like shells, thick scaly skin, and beaked faces.  Cavities atop their heads are filled with water and are said to be their vulnerable spot for when it is dry, they lose energy.  Kappa are popular in a lot of Japanese comics, animation, TV commercials and more.  They are loved by people as cute characters despite the fact that they are rumored to drag humans into the water to fulfill their appetite for human entrails - their favorite delicacy second only to cucumbers!

Junko Mizuno | Miki with Guts | Acrylic on Japanese paper | 10" x 8" | $300

MOSHi MOSHi has recently moved to an improved location and owner Billy Galaxy tells me that they specialize in a variety of Japanese and Japanese-inspired items including vintage & modern toys, t-shirts, handbags, and more.  The Kappa Show runs through August 5th.  Additional images can be found online at www.moshi-moshi.com

View more of Junko Mizuno's featured work at Nucleus here

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It's absolutly cute, bizarre and wonderful ! I love this artist !