KEIKO KOMA net

24 May  2009

Wandu castle city

We arrived at Jian and Mr. Idaki Shin said that we would climb up to the top of Wandu mountain to see ancient Koguryo’s fortification wall. I heard it was situated in the middle of woods and because there was no road it remained true to its original state of one thousand nine hundreds years ago. Obviously the way to get there was very hard so I had not imagined that I would have the opportunity during our stay in Jian this time. Neither had I considered myself physically capable to do so. Our guide, Mr. Wan also said it would be too hard for me. However, Mr. Idaki Shin said that I did not need to worry as king Choju and king Kotai would sure to help me, otherwise I might as well forget my roots. If I did not take this opportunity I might not ever be given another chance . So I made up my mind and started preparing for tomorrow. I selected few things to carry with me in a sac and went to bed earlier than usual. In the morning I woke up to find myself vigorous and cheerful. As I walked in a wood I felt as if I knew the path very well. Hours had passed climbing the mountain, however, I remained vigorous, as Mr. Idaki Shin had predicted. By noon we reached the top where the beautiful ancient wall seemed to have waited for our visit. I asked Mr. Idaki Shin to take many photos and filmed it with a video camera so that I could show my audience at events. Because of its location, he faced difficulty in finding a place to put camera stands. It was really a special opportunity. I felt that people who could appreciate the scene just by watching video and photos were very lucky. The stones of the wall seemed to show me the importance of living a life unified at heart with every member of the ancient kingdom as they were always threatened with death by perpetuated wars. Though building a great wall of fortification on top of a steep mountain had to be a very tough job, the atmosphere was very pleasant and friendly, trees and flowers were smiling at me and birds were talking to me in person. At first I thought there was a stranger addressing me from behind when I heard its voice, however only a bird was seen. When we joined together to take a souvenir photo, it had obviously greeted all of us from a nearby tree. Our guide also said it came to say hello to us. And Mr. Idaki Shin said it knew both Chinese and Japanese as birds were international species. To my surprise I knew the voice though I have never seen that type of bird in my life. Its sound was very similar to an echo of my soul that could be heard within my mind. I wondered at my life that has inherited huge historical influences from my Koguryo ancestors. As the world three stages before the Big Bang was wide open to the earth, I realized that what I called the new legends of Koguryo had started and today I commemorated its birthday.