3rd Sep. 2019
In the inner garden of our tea house on Mt. Hiei, with the view of a mountain slope, I dyed marbling patterns. The wind blows on the mountain and the singing of the birds echoes in the air. I shiver in awe at the world of gods reflected in the patterns floating on clear water. I was happy to feel that my life would be meaningful if I could live a dramatic life like the world reflected in the water. There was less wind than usual today, but I felt wind in the dramatic patterns that emerged.
After I finished dying marbling patterns filled with dreams for the future, I drove down the mountain and headed to Kyoto. Passing through the streets quiet at dusk, I walked up the stone pavement of the Yumemi-zaka slope towards Yasaka Pagoda. Listening quietly, I’m wrapped by the dark of the night, seemingly hearing the sound of ancient times. I stand in front of the five-storied pagoda lit by a faint light. Sensing the presence of souls, I straighten my back and bow my head. My heart fills with joy and gratitude to meet the souls of my ancestors. The shining souls of Koma are flying freely. Nation-building has begun, where all souls are moving together. There’s no reason whatsoever to hesitate or halt. Surrounding space shows that it’s time to move at once. Swearing in my heart that I would move, I bowed to the pagoda and started walking. A light-scape I saw at the grave of King Jyakkou revives. I tremble in my soul, sensing that it is an earnest wish that can be realized. I will move and head towards its realization.
