Photo/Illutration Yu Tsujimoto paints watercolors for the pharmacies and residential care facilities operated by Medical Ikkou Group Co. (Takunori Yasuda)

TSU, Mie Prefecture--After numerous rejections in her search for work, Yu Tsujimoto decided to lower her expectations.

But a job fair that she just happened to visit seven years ago led to an ideal job: painting art that can create a soothing atmosphere in places often filled with stress.

The paintbrush has been a crucial tool throughout her life.

Tsujimoto, 28, was born with a disability in her limbs that made it extremely difficult for her to write. Her dominant left hand trembled when she tried to use a pen.

She has a certificate that puts her disability in the fourth most severe category on a scale of 7.

But once she switched to a paintbrush, the shaking stopped, and she had no problem drawing.

Tsujimoto studied oil paintings as a student of art and design at Iino High School in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture.

She continued to explore oil paintings at Osaka University of Arts, focusing on creating dynamic and stereoscopic abstracts.

When it was time to hunt for a job, the art major sent out applications in hopes of becoming an administrative worker or an illustrator. But she could not pass the interviews.

By chance, she attended a job fair in Tsu, the Mie prefectural capital, where she found the booth of Medical Ikkou Group Co.

The company runs 98 pharmacies and 55 residential care facilities across the country.

Tsujimoto said she had a positive impression of the Medical Ikkou pharmacy in her hometown that she has frequented since she was a young child. The staff members always warmly smiled at the customers, lifting the atmosphere at the store, she said.

When Tsujimoto advanced to her second-round interview at Medical Ikkou, an executive from the human resources department asked her to bring samples of her artwork for the next and final round interview.

The request surprised her because she thought that if she were lucky enough to get hired, it would be for a clerical position.

At the final interview, company officials viewed her 10 drawings and portfolio and were clearly impressed.

“If you like, why don’t you create paintings for our company?” one of the officials said.

At that time, Medical Ikkou was looking for ways to improve the well-being of patients, residents and employees, given that pharmacies and care facilities are often associated with anxiety.

The company decided it could offer warmer and more welcoming environments at its facilities by displaying Tsujimoto’s art.

“We were hoping to provide a sense of comfort to patients and residents of our facilities with paintings of gentle colors,” said Kazushi Yasumori, head of the company’s general affairs department. “We never had hired an employee tasked to draw paintings before, but Tsujimoto appeared the right person for the job.”

Tsujimoto said she was touched by the job offer because the officials appreciated her personality and art skills.

“I find myself extremely fortunate, and it is fun to work,” she said in a recent interview. “I would like to work for this company for as long as possible.”

After she joined Medical Ikkou in April 2019, the company made arrangements for her to use a house as a studio next to its main building in Tsu.

At the company’s request, Tsujimoto creates soothing watercolors rather than oils with strong strokes, her forte as a student.

Her work starts at 8:30 a.m. After a morning assembly, she paints at her studio until after 5 p.m.

She has produced about 80 watercolors so far, featuring landscapes, animals, people, plants and flowers. She predominantly uses blues and greens, hues she believes are tender to the eyes.

Tsujimoto occasionally visits the local zoo to observe animals’ movements and expressions or parks to watch how people move their bodies. She integrates her observations into her paintings.

Tsujimoto is set to take on a new project: creating illustrations for the pharmacies’ posters and fliers.

Toshihisa Minamino, president of Medical Ikkou, which marked its 40th anniversary this year, said he intends to push efforts to further integrate art.

“We are committed to offering spaces where people feel reassured and relief,” he said.

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