Today, the day after the concert, Master Idaki Shin roasted coffee at Yui-Kobo, which we built in Yamamoto Town, Miyagi Prefecture, where we installed a large roasting machine, the only one of its kind in Tohoku. Master Idaki Shin becomes united with the life of people and nature, and through improvisational performance, he can release what is a burden to life. Coffee, too, is influenced by the state of human life and the condition of the world, and it is clear to me that Master Idaki Shin takes on its pain, sorrow, and cloudiness as he roasts. The inherent qualities of coffee are fully brought forth, giving birth to a taste of unsurpassed excellence. Since its discovery, coffee has been consumed as medicine and is said to have high medicinal properties. The coffee roasted by Master Idaki Shin revitalizes me to the extent that I can physically recognize how good it is for my body. And I always perceive God in the effects of coffee. I am deeply moved by a taste that can only be described as divine. In fact, when I visited the village of Yirgachafe in Ethiopia, I experienced with my whole being that coffee is a gift from god. Drinking this fruit of god fills me with profound gratitude every time. Today, many people gathered, and in a lively space filled with laughter, we shared the joy and deep emotion of drinking exquisite coffee together.
Considering the world where wars continue, my heart aches terribly, and I spend my days contemplating what can be done. I pray that the energy of such an enriching experience as today may spread to the world, and it gives me hope that it will surely spread. I sincerely pray that wars will come to an end as soon as possible.