Georg Bak on "Frogs of Yakushima" 屋久島のヒキガエル

Daichi Mori is a Japanese artist who prefers to maintain anonymity and  mystery about his physical appearance and whereabouts. He expresses himself through his art, using it as a means of communication with his surroundings. From a young age, Mori displayed a talent for drawing and taught himself various artistic skills without attending formal schooling. His artistic repertoire encompasses a wide range of mediums, including drawing, paintings, hand scrolls, prints, etching and  kakemono flags. In the realm of digital art, he specializes in animations, some of which he began selling as NFTs in 2021, garnering attention from the Web3 community.

Kawanabe Kyōsai "Frog school" 1870

Mori gained recognition for his comic-like animations featuring frogs that oscillate between brutality and absurdity. While these peculiar clips may initially evoke associations with the Pepe meme culture and Japanese folk traditions, they also serve as a deeply intimate narrative of the artist’s own life. As a child, he experienced a traumatic event where he got lost in a forest and remained missing  for several days until his grandmother found him. During this time, he formed a bond with a community of frogs who seemingly aided him. This experience left Mori with a phobia of frogs, yet they continue to captivate him, becoming a recurring motif in his art. In his animations, these amphibians often exhibit human-like behavior or possess qualities closely resembling those of humans. For instance, in “Rolling Frog”, the frog is portrayed as a fantastical and and destructive creature, with a tongue reminiscent of Mick Jagger’s that can even break through walls.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Famous heroes of the kabuki stage played by frogs" 1875

Mori draws inspiration from Japanese woodblock prints, particularly the peculiar samurai frogs depicted by Kuniyoshi Utagawa in the ukiyo-e style and the human-like frog characters of Kawanabe Kyōsai. His work is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, incorporating elements of Koan poetry and folklore from the Animal Kingdom. Animals often serve as symbols of strength, wisdom, and agility, and Mori frequently explores this theme. One recurring character in his animations is Emiko, who frequently appears alongside the toad Hikigaeru in a harmonious symbiosis, playing music together. This serves as Mori’s personal homage to Hayao Miyazaki and his film “My Neighbor Totoro”.

Hayao Miyazaki "My neighbour Totoro" 1988

Mori’s work is characterized by its wit, poetic essence, and its incorporation of Japanese folk culture and fairy tale narratives. The musical component in his short films also plays a significant role, particularly evident in “Frog Music”. Through his first release at Verse, Mori offers a glimpse into his diverse body of work, providing a comprehensive exploration of his frog-centric world.

-- text by Georg Bak