Photo/Illutration A picture of pinecone painted by Nao Hoshi six years ago. (Provided by Nao Hoshi)

An email that arrived out of the blue this summer from Russia meant nothing to Nao Hoshi until she opened the attachment. 

Hoshi, 31, was working at her home in Saitama Prefecture putting the finishing touches to a painting she was working on for a solo show.

The name of the sender did not ring any bells with her, nor the email’s title, “Pinecone.” 

But as soon as she opened the email, an image of a familiar pinecone appeared, reviving memories of the pastel she worked on six years ago for her first solo exhibition.

At the time, Hoshi worked late every night in a small room where she managed to make space to paint next to folded bedding. She frantically needed time to finish as the exhibition’s opening was only days away.

“Pinecone” was a piece she undertook at the last minute. She diligently blurred hues with her fingertip to produce nuanced shades and completed it in a few days, pleased with the outcome.

“This is not bad, given how little time I had to draw this,” she told herself.

“Pinecone” was the only drawing that sold in her show. It felt like the piece was taking off on its own journey, parting with its creator.

Hoshi later learned through an acquaintance that the individual who bought the work died several years after the purchase. She had no way of knowing what happened to it after that.

The email from Russia was written in English, accompanied by Japanese text. The Japanese read rather awkwardly, which Hoshi figured was probably the product of a translation app. Still, it was sufficiently intelligible to grasp what the writer was trying to get at.

“‘Pinecone’ is a beautiful painting,” the email said. “A work done 10,000 kilometers away gives me inspiration every day.”

Hoshi was pleased to learn the painting still exists, even if so far away from Japan.

The sender identified only as “Maxim” lives 50 kilometers from Moscow. Hoshi has no idea if Maxim is male or female.

Maxim said “Pinecone” was knocked down at an auction site and traveled by air and train to reach its new home. Hoshi need not worry about her picture as it sits in a safe place, Maxim reassured her.

Hoshi's life has undergone a number of changes since she parted with “Pinecone.” For one thing, she moved into a bigger place.

But her drawing style remains unchanged, and she still toils late into the night before a show. Naturally, she hopes as many people as possible will show up to view her works.

While giving thought to the long journey “Pinecone” took from Japan, Hoshi replied in English that she could only convey her appreciation for Maxim’s kindness in letting her know where the picture ended up.

“It was a miracle,” she told the picture’s new owner. “Thank you.”

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