Charlie’s Future Dream Diary

Today is one weekend in December, 2030. I’m in Tokyo with my husband and our five-year-old, visiting from our usual home in Chicago. It’s morning now. I open the hotel curtain just a little, and I can see the Tokyo skyline glowing faintly in the pink and purple light of the rising sun. From this hotel near the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, I can see the Tokyo Skytree nearby and, a little further away, Tokyo Tower.

While my husband and child are still asleep in bed, I quietly get ready in the bathroom. Even though I’m still jetlagged and sleepy, I feel excited—because finally, this day has come!

After eating breakfast together at the hotel buffet, we head to the museum with our suitcase in tow. That’s right—today, we’re showing at the Tokyo Art Book Fair, something I’ve dreamed of for so long!

Ever since we joined the Chicago Publishers Fair back in 2025, we’ve participated in all kinds of art book fairs, both in the U.S. and abroad. But somehow, we never got into the Tokyo Art Book Fair… until this year! It’s our first time, and I’m so happy!

Back in Chicago, I’ve slowly become known as an artist who makes Riso prints and illustrations, and now I’ve finally returned to Japan as an artist—showing at the Tokyo Art Book Fair. That makes it even more meaningful for me. My husband has been busy too, making Riso pieces while keeping up with his usual job, holding solo shows and workshops, and joining fairs here and there.

And our child? They love drawing and crafting, just like us!

At the event, old friends and family in Japan come to visit. I don’t know who they take after, but our five-year-old is totally fearless—saying “Irasshaimase!” and “Here you go!” to help us at the booth. So reliable! I chat with guests, catch up with friends I haven’t seen in ages, and just feel so full of joy.

Later, my parents show up to take care of our tired-out kid—lifesavers! Meanwhile, customers are super excited about my yurukawa illustration books (now published in both Japanese and English! Of course, in my future dream), and my husband’s cool prints and zines are flying off the table. We had so many wonderful encounters.

One of the best surprises of the day? A person from the newspaper I used to work with heard I was exhibiting and came to see me! They said, “Would you like to draw something for Asahi Shimbun’s Bon Marché section?” and even, “How about doing illustrations for Asahi’s kids’ newspaper too?” Such a lovely bonus!

After a full and amazing day, I walk back to the hotel with my child and husband, pulling our now-empty suitcase behind us. I feel proud, fulfilled, and excited about the new opportunities that just popped up—but more than anything, I feel deeply moved. It’s because I didn’t give up. Because I kept going, we were all able to be here.

Lately, I’ve been feeling kind of frustrated because some of my plans haven’t been going how I wanted. But in a coaching group I’m part of, they did this exercise where you imagine your “ideal day” and write it all out. So I gave it a try!

Imagination is free, right? So I imagined it as big as I wanted.
At first, I felt embarrassed to share it… but I thought “eh, whatever!” and hit post!