FROM THE GARDEN OF ZEN: January 2019

January 24, 2019

Winter seascape: Yuigahama-beach

The soft radiance of the slowly declining sun is tinging the sea, the sky and a range of distant mountains with various shades of pale violet and greyish gold.

The northern wind has just subsided into a cold breeze and the sea keeps rippling gently in silence.

In this watercolor seascape which is changing moment by moment, I find something eternal and remain standing here, staring into it as the sun goes down in the distance.

Winter seascape: Yuigahama-beach

The cold transparent air of midwinter makes it possible to clearly see the fine silhouette of the faraway island of Izu Oshima from this beach.

The sea and the sky are subtly colored with faint crimson by the slanting rays of the sun.

People come to this seashore just as if they were led by their innermost voices and silently keep gazing at the far horizon to seek answers to the voices in the depths of their hearts.

Winter seascape: Yuigahama-beach

In the amber glow of the sinking sun, a bank of fleecy clouds drift away like a flock of seabirds returning to their nests hurriedly.

A girl is watching fixedly the blaze of the sun transforming every moment above the gently undulating sea.

A boy is running by the water's edge as if to try to chase the time which is swiftly going by toward the night.

Winter seascape: Yuigahama-beach

January 9, 2019

Mt.Fuji as seen from Inamuragasaki point (Kamakura)

Beyond the vast waving water of Sagami bay, the snow-capt peak of Mt. Fuji rises sharply against the pure azure sky.

Fortunately, thanks to the intense coldness and dryness in the deep of winter, the ambient air is so transparent that I can clearly see the divine spectacle of the sacred mountain and the shining sea in the far distance.

This magnificent view awakes me to the innermost admiration for the sublimity beyond human understanding and for the universe filled with such boundless wonders.

Mt.Fuji as seen from Inamuragasaki point (Kamakura)

The sun is sinking slowly beyond the calm sea, tinting the western sky and the woolly clouds with a varying rosy flush.

Just before nightfall, the noble silhouette of Mt.Fuji stands out clearly against the golden sunset glow.

Since ancient times, this holy mountain has earned the heartfelt faith and worship of Japanese people and has been respected as the highest spiritual symbol of Japan.

In the low voice of the wind gently blowing across the sea, I hear the earnest prayers which have been sincerely offered to Mt.Fuji by Japanese people.