After 12 years of studying and making lacquer paintings in Vietnam, Borwell Saeko has held four personal exhibitions in Vietnam (three in Hanoi and one in Ho Chi Minh City). She is one of the few people to pursue Vietnamese traditional lacquer painting. After a visit to Vietnam 12 years ago, the stewardess decided to stay in the country because she wanted to discover the Vietnamese culture, especially traditional lacquer painting. She shared her views on paintings and life in Vietnam.

What has attracted you to stay in Vietnam?

I find Vietnamese culture a little bit strange and difficult to understand. For example, old people eat bread while old Japanese people only eat rice. Vietnamese people’s thinking is also different from other with Asian people. When I saw paintings by Vietnamese artists I was attracted by the lacquer paintings. I decided to stay in Vietnam to study this art.

In addition to lacquer painting, are there any other attractions?

Life in Vietnam is quite pleasant. In Japan, you must travel by train while in Vietnam you can drive everywhere. You must have a date with your friends if you want to meet them, but in Vietnam you can call on your friends’ houses anytime. In our daily life, we often receive support from our neighbours.

Other foreigners who come to Vietnam for the first time often find the Vietnamese culture difficult to understand. After 12 years staying in the country, what do you think of Vietnamese culture?

At first I found a little difficult to understand but now I realize that every thing has its roots. Vietnamese culture is influenced by the French and Chinese cultures. When I was first in Hanoi in 1995 I found that Hanoians were not easy-going. However, later I realized that at that time Vietnamese people were reluctant to meet with foreigners. Now everything has changed. They attach a lot importance to their feelings rather than to work. For example if workers’ relative is sick they will ask for days off to take care of their relative but foreigners give first priority to work.

Did you run into difficulties during your first visit to Vietnam?

When I was a stewardess my colleagues used luxury good but I preferred simple and economic goods. Therefore during the initial period in Vietnam I lived and studied on my savings. I was not get used to Vietnamese food and at the time there were few Japanese restaurants around and food was much cheaper. Now I have got used to the living conditions and like Vietnamese food, I even prefer Vietnamese rice to Japanese rice.

Vietnam is not the cradle of arts and living and working conditions in Vietnam are very different from Japan. Did you face any opposition from your family?

Almost none at all as my family like other Japanese people love Vietnam.

What’s your evaluation of the development of lacquer paintings in Vietnam?

It’s a pity that lacquer-painters did not keep using traditional methods. Lacquer painting in Japan is considered a high-grade art form but in Vietnam it is very cheap. Many lacquer pictures, which are made by industrial painting, are sold in the market but the traders tell you that they are made naturally by painting. People just think of the immediate profits, instead of the long-term value. However many kinds of natural paintings are suitable for making lacquer paintings.

Have you found any weaknesses in Vietnamese people’s character from the development of this kind of painting?

The Vietnamese often find it OK just doing something to get it done but the Japanese like to do the job to the best of their ability. This is due to having unstable lives during the past wars. However, this characteristic still now remains although life is stable. Japanese people produce things not only for themselves but also for the later generations.

Did you remember the first time you enjoyed the traditional Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) in Vietnam?

I loved the way Vietnamese people celebrate Tet in the past. I had to buy a lot of food because the markets did not open during the Tet holiday. Now shops, even Pho restaurants are open on the first day of the New Year. The Tet celebration in Vietnam is similar to New Year in Japan as it is time for relatives to get together.

Do you plan to stay in Vietnam long?

On the first day I set foot on this country I did not think I would stay here so long. Now I have got used to living conditions here. My family is here and my children speak Vietnamese. I cannot say anything for sure but I know that my passion for lacquer painting will last forever.

Thank you very much and wish you will have a happy Tet.