[Epoch Times August 27, 2024] From the low-flying Kai Tak Airport to the enigmatic Kowloon Walled City, from the tenement buildings of Sham Shui Po to the Long Ping Village in Yuen Long, and to Tai O fishing village, often referred to as the Venice of the East, a Japanese illustrator settled in Hong Kong has beautifully captured the familiar scenery of the city. In her paintings, cheerful cats often appear, spreading warmth and joy.
This talented illustrator is Mango Naoko. During a visit to Hong Kong, she serendipitously met her significant other, leading to a transnational marriage between Hong Kong and Japan. Subsequently, she accompanied her husband to settle in Hong Kong. Initially, she faced confusion due to cultural and language differences. However, a chance encounter at a coffee shop revealed her potential to carve a career in illustration, opening a whole new world for her.
This edition of “Drifting Legend” delves into the story of Mango Naoko, sharing her feelings about Hong Kong and her delightful cat-themed artworks.
Illustrator Mango in Tai O fishing village. File photo. (Chen Zhongming/The Epoch Times)
Using Paintbrushes to Showcase the Human Touch of Hong Kong
After settling in Hong Kong, Mango wandered through the streets and alleys, capturing photos of tea houses, old tenement buildings, and public housing from various angles. To her, these landscapes exude the essence of old Hong Kong. With her brush, she documented her observations of the city. Over the years, she has cared for and nurtured stray cats, incorporating these adorable creatures into her artwork. Through the eyes of these cats, we seem to journey with them around Hong Kong.
Tai O fishing village as depicted by Mango. File photo. (Chen Zhongming/The Epoch Times)
Eventually, Mango launched the “Cat Hong Kong” series. Notably, the cats depicted in the paintings are always smiling as they travel throughout Hong Kong, symbolizing her desire for a better life. She admires the simple life of cats, believing that humans possess too many burdens that lead to unhappiness. Through her artwork, she aims to share the positive aspects of Hong Kong people’s lives, hoping to inspire everyone to face challenges with a smile, just like the cats in her pieces, regardless of their circumstances.
Excitingly, following the release of “Village Cats’ Daily Stroll,” Mango Naoko’s new book “Village Cats’ Laughing Fortune” has recently been published. The charming cats continue to explore various public housing estates in Hong Kong, documenting different facets of daily life.
“Wu Cun Miao・Xiao Men Lai Fu” was published in July this year. (Provided by Yuan Yang Tea Restaurant)
Marriage in Hong Kong and Learning Traditional Chinese Characters and Cantonese
Mango’s social media page is titled “Yuanyang Tea Restaurant.” Yuanyang is a popular Hong Kong beverage, a blend of milk tea and coffee, symbolizing the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures in Hong Kong. The name also reflects the union of Mango and her husband, two individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
Their story began in Taiwan. Mango’s mother has a deep fondness for traveling to Taiwan, largely due to her admiration for Taiwanese star Takeshi Kaneshiro. When Mango first visited Taiwan, she accompanied her mother and was introduced to the Chinese language.
Later, Mango returned to Taiwan alone and began learning Mandarin to communicate with locals. She was determined to learn traditional Chinese characters, not only because their form resembles Japanese kanji but also because she finds them particularly beautiful.
Before planning a trip to Hong Kong, a Taiwanese friend introduced her to a Hong Kong boy who spoke Mandarin with a Taiwanese accent, ensuring that she would have local assistance during her travels.
Initially, the two communicated only through letters. The boy acted as a friend and a sort of Chinese teacher. Mango never anticipated that he would eventually become her life partner.
When Mango traveled to Hong Kong, she met her pen pal in person for the first time. From that moment on, fate brought them closer, leading to their eventual marriage.
They lived together in Tokyo for five years before immigrating to Hong Kong. To help Mango adapt to local life, it was essential for her to not only adjust to the fast-paced lifestyle of Hong Kong but also to learn the language.
Despite being fluent in Mandarin, Mango faced challenges when she first arrived in Hong Kong. Her lack of Cantonese knowledge led to misunderstandings while ordering food or settling bills, often receiving unfriendly glances and being mistaken for a mainlander.
Reflecting on her early days in Hong Kong, Mango noted that her feelings of depression were not solely due to language barriers. At the time, she had no job, no friends, and no one to converse with, which understandably contributed to her gloom.
Nevertheless, while her Cantonese may still need improvement, she has no trouble understanding it. Over time, she established a new social circle in Hong Kong.
Mango described “casualness” as her predominant observation in Hong Kong. She realized that the people there are less formal than those in Japan, which she appreciates. In Japan, individuals met for the first time tend to be more reserved; moreover, the extreme politeness of Japanese waitstaff can sometimes create a sense of pressure.
A Magical Encounter at a Coffee Shop
Initially, painting was merely a hobby for Mango Naoko, who began seriously pursuing this career after her move to Hong Kong. A casual encounter in a coffee shop significantly changed her life. One winter afternoon, while sitting in Colour Brown coffee shop in Sai Kung, sipping coffee and sketching scenes around her, the owner, Edwin, mustered the courage to invite her to hold an art exhibition in the café.
Mango was taken aback; it was their first meeting, and he didn’t even know her name. She never anticipated receiving such a chance for an exhibition.
At that moment, she agreed to hold an exhibition, feeling fortunate to share her artwork with friends in Hong Kong as a newcomer.
Following the exhibition, her recognition and invitations began to grow. Although she was initially seeking stable employment elsewhere, the rising demand for her art left her little time. She decided to transform her passion into a career as an illustrator.
Mango and Colour Brown store owner Edwin. File photo. (Chen Zhongming/The Epoch Times)
Since that day, Mango and Edwin have become good friends. She expressed her gratitude: “If I could use a time machine to revisit the day of my first art exhibition, the thing I would most want to tell Edwin is ‘Thank you for trusting me and for providing me with this opportunity to take a significant step in a foreign land!'”
Hong Kong Represents “Bravery”
After spending many years in Hong Kong, Mango believes she has gradually integrated into this vibrant city. She said: “I feel I understand the thoughts and habits of Hong Kong people, as well as their joys and sorrows. So, when someone tells me, ‘You are a Hong Konger,’ I feel happy.”
Having lived in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Mango possesses a deep understanding of these three distinct “homes.” Following the tumultuous events of 2019, she expressed a profound appreciation for the Hong Kong people’s pursuit of freedom.
She remarked: “I have always been learning from Hong Kong’s ‘casualness,’ and now I aspire to embrace Hong Kong’s ‘bravery.’
By “bravery,” Mango likely refers to the countless Hong Kong individuals who took to the streets in 2019, courageously standing against power and collectively defending the core values of their city.
Today, Mango’s universe has expanded through her work as an illustrator. She has connected with people from diverse backgrounds and sectors, forging a deep bond with Hong Kong and its residents. She has witnessed the many facets of Hong Kong and appreciated its rich diversity, acknowledging it as a wonderful experience.
After hearing Mango’s story, do you also feel drawn to savoring Hong Kong’s unique Yuanyang while enjoying the harmonious blend of coffee and black tea in a tea house?
If you were to travel to a foreign country, leaving behind your family and confronting unfamiliar cultures, would you, like Mango, venture out of your comfort zone to create a fulfilling life?
Mango enjoys drawing in coffee shops. File photo. (Chen Zhongming/The Epoch Times)
From fishing villages to bustling metropolises, Hong Kong is home to exceptional talents. Many consider Hong Kong a haven for adventurers and a refuge for the wise and hardworking. The civilization, courage, and resilience of the Hong Kong people reveal remarkable tolerance and compassion in critical moments. The term “Hong Kong people” embodies a spirit that shines brightly wherever they are in the world. Additionally, there are unique individuals connected to Hong Kong, contributing to its culture and spirit. Watch the new program “Drifting Legends” to discover both prominent and everyday figures, sharing their life stories.
Please watch the full content of this episode of “Drifting Legend” online.
——“Drifting Legend” Production Team
Editor-in-charge: Lian Shuhua
Mango Naoko: Illustrating the Heart of Hong Kong Through Art and Cats
[Epoch Times August 27, 2024] From the low-flying Kai Tak Airport to the mysterious Kowloon Walled City, from the Sham Shui Po tenement buildings to Long Ping Village in Yuen Long, and to the Tai O fishing village known as the Venice of the East, the familiar scenery of Hong Kong has been vividly illustrated by Mango Naoko, a Japanese illustrator who has made Hong Kong her home. Her paintings are filled with charming images of smiling cats, which infuse warmth and joy into her art.
Meet Mango Naoko: A Japanese Artist in Hong Kong
Mango Naoko found her calling in art after a serendipitous encounter during a trip to Hong Kong led to her transnational marriage with a local. Initially overwhelmed by cultural and language barriers, Mango’s life took a turn for the better when she discovered her talent for illustration in a coffee shop. With her unique perspective, she began to capture Hong Kong’s essence through her art.
Using Paintbrushes to Show the Human Touch of Hong Kong
After settling in Hong Kong, Mango immersed herself in the vibrant local culture. She wandered through streets and alleys, taking photographs of tea houses, old tenement buildings, and public housing. These landscapes, infused with the flavor of traditional Hong Kong, inspired her creations.
- Iconic Sites: Mango’s work reflects the urban tapestry of Hong Kong, including landmark locations like Kai Tak Airport and Long Ping Village.
- Stray Cats: As a cat lover, Mango incorporates these delightful creatures into her art, allowing viewers to experience the city from the cats’ playful perspective.
Through her celebrated “Cat Hong Kong” series, Mango’s cheerful portrayals of cats reveal her desire for happiness and simplicity—a stark contrast to the complexities that often accompany adult life. By showcasing the joyful side of Hong Kong life, she encourages people to face their challenges with a smile.
New Publications: Adding More Joy to Her Art
Mango’s creative journey continues with her latest book “Village Cats’ Laughing Fortune,” which follows her previous work, “Village Cats’ Daily Stroll.” Both books feature adorable cats navigating various public housing estates, highlighting the daily lives of Hong Kong residents in an engaging and humorous way.
Embracing a New Life: Marrying in Hong Kong
Mango’s social media presence under the name “Yuanyang Tea Restaurant” symbolizes her fusion of cultures—not just through her art, but also through her life experiences. This unique drink, a blend of milk tea and coffee, represents the amalgamation of Eastern and Western traditions. Her journey began in Taiwan, inspired by her mother’s love for travel and pop culture. It was during her time in Taiwan that she first engaged with Mandarin and fell in love with Chinese culture.
The Language Barrier: A Journey of Integration
Upon moving to Hong Kong with her husband, Mango faced the challenge of adjusting not only to a new physical environment but also to a different social landscape. While fluent in Mandarin, she struggled with Cantonese, which often led to confusion and miscommunication. However, her determination to adapt fueled her resolve to learn the local dialect.
Mango described her early experiences in Hong Kong as challenging, characterized by feelings of loneliness and the struggle of learning a new language. Yet, her openness and willingness to embrace the local culture helped her to form meaningful relationships and build a supportive community around her.
A Life-Changing Encounter in a Coffee Shop
Mango’s artistic breakthrough happened by chance in a coffee shop in Sai Kung. While sketching the ambiance of the café, she was approached by the owner, Edwin, who offered her the opportunity to hold her very first art exhibition there. The unexpected chance to showcase her work turned Mango’s casual hobby into a full-fledged career.
This pivotal moment instilled in her a sense of gratitude towards Edwin, as it opened doors that allowed her to share her passion for art with a wider audience.
The Spirit of Hong Kong: A Journey to Understanding
After years in Hong Kong, Mango has developed a profound empathy for its people. Her experiences have enlightened her on the values and emotional landscapes of the locals. The public outcry for freedom during the protests of 2019 left a marked impression on her, reinforcing her understanding of courage and community in the face of adversity.
Exploring the Meaning of “Brave”
In her reflections, Mango highlights the bravery of Hong Kong residents who stand up for what they believe in. This representation of bravery has become a central theme in her works, serving as an inspiration for her audience. Through her illustrations, she aims to cultivate a deeper connection between herself, her art, and the experiences faced by Hongkongers.
Engaging with Local Culture: Practical Tips and Experiences
For anyone planning to visit or relocate to Hong Kong, Mango’s rich experiences can offer valuable insights:
- Learn the Language: Being fluent in Cantonese can open many doors. Take language classes or engage in casual conversations to practice your skills.
- Explore the Arts: Connect with local artists or visit galleries to understand the cultural environment better.
- Try Local Beverages: Embrace the local culture by enjoying traditional drinks like Yuanyang.
- Befriend Locals: Building connections with Hong Kong residents can provide a sense of community.
Mango’s journey is a testament to the beauty that comes from navigating cultural differences, embracing change, and exploring the unexpected paths of life. Through her illustrations, she not only tells her story but also the stories of the countless others woven into the fabric of Hong Kong.
