We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shoko Yanagisawa. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Shoko, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are dedicated to grounding myself through meditation and yoga. It’s my time to connect with my inner self, set clear intentions, and create the calm focus I need to navigate the rest of the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist, author, and life coach devoted to helping people reconnect with their true essence. Through my Higher Self Portraits. intuitive artworks that reflect the spirit within. I help others see themselves with new clarity and compassion. My work extends beyond the canvas into inner child healing and meditation practices, where I guide people in building a strong inner foundation for living an authentic life. the life their soul truly wants to live. I also write and illustrate children’s books that nurture the same sense of wonder and self-love. My path has been shaped by years of living and meditating in ashrams across India, Bali, and Thailand, and everything I create comes from that ongoing journey of healing, presence, and love.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that truly changed how I see the world was when I was 20 years old. Until then, I had grown up in Japan, surrounded by one culture, one set of rules, and one way of thinking. I used to feel a little out of place, as if something about me didn’t quite fit within that framework. But when I went to study abroad in Malta and later traveled alone across Europe with my backpack, meeting people from all walks of life, I realized how vast and diverse the world truly is. It opened my eyes to the beauty of different perspectives and helped me understand that the world I had known was only a small part of something much greater.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I can’t pinpoint a specific moment when I stopped hiding my pain and started using it as power. It was more of a gradual awakening. I just remember realizing that every pain I experienced shaped who I am today. Through those moments, I began to see that even when things were difficult, I was always trying my best to create a better life for myself. That realization taught me compassion — to understand that we are human, we are not perfect, and that our imperfections are what make us beautiful. It’s through those imperfections that we learn, grow, and find our true strength.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My core belief is to do everything from the heart with pure intention — 100%. No matter what I do, sincerity, honesty, and authenticity are what matter most to me. I believe energy is real; what we put out into the world is what eventually comes back to us. That’s why I choose to create and share only energy rooted in love, truth, and kindness. Even if I’m not an influential person, I know that pure energy expands it touches others and grows. Through my work and my presence, I want to contribute to making this world a more compassionate and beautiful place.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I don’t think there’s anything I would stop doing, because I already made that change. About two years ago, I suddenly asked myself, ‘If the world ended next week, would I be truly satisfied with my life and with who I am?’ My answer was no. That moment changed everything. I decided to leave my stable life in Los Angeles and follow the spiritual path I had always dreamed of. I went to India to practice spirituality at an ashram, and from there, my journey truly began. My dream has always been to live a life that feels like I don’t need a vacation a life filled with purpose, freedom, and connection. Since then, I’ve been living that dream, traveling the world, and supporting others through my art and spiritual guidance, both online and in person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shokoyanagisawa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shokoyanagisawa
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shokoyanagisawa22
Image Credits
Ricki Saputra
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