Mujo - the power of positiveness - (2018-, on going )
English / 日本語
The water flowing through the river is never the same. As the seasons rotate, leaf buds grow and die.
Mujo, or impermanence, which means nothing never stays the same. This is one of the Japanese aesthetic senses that we have since the middle ages.
One day, I visited a village to see stone Buddhist images which were made a thousand years ago. Standing in front of them, one thought came up to my mind; “everything is impermanent and they always come and go.” These stone statues must have watched over many lives and deaths of people, people’s deep prayers, authorities’ successes and ruins and families’ deep sorrow. People in old times must have wished for their life-betterment.
In Japan, we have been suffered from many natural disasters and power struggles, and so many people’s lives were lost. Many of the painful experiences that we have been through have taught us that nothing would grow from sorrows. Then we learned everything is timeless and impermanent.
We have to realize that prosperity doesn’t last forever. We shouldn’t be bloated with pride. We shouldn’t lament over the misfortune. The timelessness and impermanence is the source of positiveness. Even if the past pains and sorrows break our hearts, we try to accept them as destiny. We will change our focus in a positive way and move toward the next step. This is what we have learned from our ancestors.
The flowers bloom and can’t last forever. But it never forgets to bloom beautifully next year. Even if it is a hard time now, the things will get better soon next. I hope everybody keeps that in mind and believe in tomorrow.
Dry Leaves of Lotus Don’t you sometimes feel it is hard to live? As I look at a dry lotus, it seems like I am seeing myself.
Stone Buddha Statues Thoughts of people from about 1000 years ago are filled in these stone Buddha statues. Now, we are unable to know each of those thoughts.
An Old Castle This castle was the number one castle in Japan which was built about 400 years ago by the most powerful person then. By no means, power will last forever. A pine tree is the only thing there now.
Cicada Cicada lives for about 10 years. In its last summer, it falls in love with its best appearance, and then dies.
Fireworks Fireworks make me remember my childhood days when I was filled with hope. Fireworks set off into the sky, spring up and disappear together with my memories.
Clouds, River Flow and People Clouds, river flow and people are never static. People wander in their austere training journey of life.
A Stone Buddha Statue (Eleven-Faces Kannon) This stone Buddha statue is said to grant every wish to people. I wonder how much sorrow she had accepted.
The "Miracle Pine" The pine tree on the coast is the only thing that survived from the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. People’s thoughts go to the repose of souls and recovery as they see the pine.
The Water of Kamo River Tremendous amount of blood was shed in Kyoto because of struggle for power. The river washes away conflicts, people’s desire, and sorrow.
Red Spider Lilies Red spider lily is said to put an end to sorrow, allows one to face oneself, and heal the heart.
An Old Cherry Tree An old cherry tree is in full bloom again this year and will be out of bloom. I am sure that it will come to show us beautiful flowers next year too.
Lotus Flowers Once withered lotus flowers will make noble and beautiful flowers bloom from the mud.
Information
archival pigment print
print media: Japanese paper
(1) Large size <edition number: 10> (IseWashi 'Baseo')
- media size: 950 x 420 mm (37.4 x 16.5 inch)
- image size: 850 x 340 mm (33.5 x 13.4 inch)
(2) Small size (A2) <edition number: 20> (IseWashi 'IseHishi Husyo')
- media size: 630 x 420 mm (24.8 x 16.5 inch)
- image size: 550 x 220 mm (21.7 x 8.7 inch)