Japanese Artist Pays Tribute to Shohei Ohtani 50-50 with Local Crafts – NBC New York

Japanese artist celebrates Shohei Ohtani’s historic 50-50 milestone with unique artwork inspired by his homeland.

Sora, a talented shodo artist, took up the ancient art of calligraphy at the age of 6, mastering the delicate technique of brush and ink on paper.

“Today I will express my joy through my calligraphy and art,” Sora said of the tribute to the Los Angeles Dodgers star.

Ohtani on Thursday became the first MLB player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season, accomplishing the feat against the Miami Marlins.

“As a fellow Japanese living in America, I am truly thrilled about this historic achievement in Major League Baseball,” the artist continued.

Sora’s artwork for the 30-year-old star is a mix of gold and black ink on rice paper. It illustrates the word “Congratulations” by connecting a painted line to the number 50, which is meant to symbolize all the hours Ohtani spent training for the remarkable feat.

Her name is written in black in Japanese, as she explains the meaning of her name. Sora explains that “Oh” means “big” or “wide” while “Tani” means “valley.” As for the name “Shohei,” she says that “Shou” means “to fly (rise) like a bird with its wings spread.” On the other hand, “Hei” means “to be level, in the sense of being peaceful.”

Sora’s heartfelt tribute not only celebrates Ohtani’s incredible achievement, but also builds a beautiful bridge between Japan’s cultural heritage and the universal language of hard work and dedication.

“Congratulations! I will continue to support you in the future,” she said.

NBC Sports’ Vaughn Dalzell explains why Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani can become the first player in MLB history to have 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.