Knife Behind Back (2000) - Yoshitomo Nara and the dark side of Japanese 'cuteness'

A little off topic, but the whole Japanese "utsukushii" and/or "kawaii" aesthetic... Where does it come from?

Descriptions of "utsukushi" things and moments in "The Pillow Book" from the Heian period goes back to the year 1002.

Note: Thumbnail URL is from a different article that is referenced in the linked article https://news.artnet.com/market/yoshitomo-nara-hong-kong-1671325