It was morning on Mount Hiei where many birds sang in chorus even as light rain fell. At times their calls seemed almost like words of caution, and I found myself straightening my heart. The beautiful voices of birds speak to us of so many things. And flowers blooming in the fields teach us so much as well. When we touch the life of nature, life itself rejoices and livens up.
Today we returned from Mount Hiei to Tokyo. Along the way I contemplated many things. Both on the journey there and on the way back, my heart could not help but be drawn toward Izu. The moment I caught sight of a road sign reading "To Shimoda," a strong impulse arose within me—I wanted to go. Yet when I asked myself why, there was no particular purpose. It was simply that I found myself remembering a time in childhood when my brother, just after getting his license, packed up cooking tools and took us siblings all the way to Shimoda. I came to know of the arrival of the Black Ships. There is nothing specific, but my heart is drawn there—I feel that souls are moving. I do not think I will actually go there, but cherishing this movement in my chest, I intend to express myself and move forward. I have a feeling that when I put into words what I suddenly feel or what arises within me and take action, I will encounter light coming from the future. Lately I find myself thinking often about life lived with the continued wish since childhood that East Asia should become united. China and North Korea are countries where moving freely back and forth is difficult. I hope for an Asia where people can travel freely and return to the homelands they long for.
Tomorrow, at "A Day of Encounter," we will hold a screening of the "Legends of Koguryo Rediscovered" presented in Beijing. It was 2007, so nineteen years have now passed, but the fact that it could be held at all was a miracle. And I believe that what was made possible then will surely open the future. These days, I find myself thinking once again, with increasing frequency, that perhaps that future is close at hand. I feel certain that as I express wishes that arise within me and move toward an unknown world, my hopes will be fulfilled. Thank you very much.