LA FUNZIONE TERAPEUTICA DELLE ARTI PER L'ESPRESSIONE DELL'IDENTITÀ INDIVIDUALE NEL GIAPPONE ODIERNO

This interdisciplinary research examines the use of visual art and music to express individual identity in contemporary Japan, and their potential to promote psychophysical well-being. The work is developed based on the case studies of two famous contemporary Japanese artists: Kusama Yayoi (b. 1929) for visual art and Sakamoto Ryuichi (1952-2023) for music. Both artists share the conscious goal of using artistic expression to build a bulwark against any social reality that discourages the search for individual identity, starting with that of their homeland. The research also explores the use of art therapy and music therapy as more inclusive forms of expressive channels. A qualitative survey was conducted in four Japanese and four Italian art-therapy centres to compare the state of art-therapy in Japan with that in Italy, a culturally individualistic country. This investigation compares cross-cultural perspectives and analyses the concepts of ‘space’ and ‘time’ as cultural foundations. It explores these concepts in the art-therapeutic atelier and in music-therapeutic activity. The study identifies strengths and weaknesses of the Japanese socio-cultural context and proposes innovative ideas for the development of theoretical and practical approaches in accordance with the research aim.