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.
muj01
Dry Leaves of LotusDon’t you sometimes feel it is hard to live?
As I look at a dry lotus, it seems like I am seeing myself.
muj02
Stone Buddha StatuesThoughts of people from about 1000 years ago
are filled in these stone Buddha statues.
Now, we are unable to know each of those thoughts.
muj03
An Old CastleThis 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.
muj04
CicadaCicada lives for about 10 years. In its last summer,
it falls in love with its best appearance, and then dies.
muj05
FireworksFireworks 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.
muj06
Clouds, River Flow and PeopleClouds, river flow and people are never static.
People wander in their austere training journey of life.
muj07
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.
muj08
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.
muj09
The Water of Kamo RiverTremendous amount of blood was shed in Kyoto because of struggle for power.
The river washes away conflicts, people’s desire, and sorrow.
muj10
Red Spider LiliesRed spider lily is said to put an end to sorrow,
allows one to face oneself, and heal the heart.
muj11
An Old Cherry TreeAn 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.
muj12
Lotus FlowersOnce withered lotus flowers will make
noble and beautiful flowers bloom from the mud.
Information
inkjet 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)