LITTLE BREAK…

On 24^th April, Ms. Mehl, the first secretary of the embassy of the republic of Zambia, visited our office at Ikebukuro.  She came interested in my work, and paid a visit to see them.  We had great time talking together.

I knew the name of the country Zambia.  Yet, I did not have clear images of the country, such as how it looks like, or what kind of people is living there.  As the conversations went on, however, we found ourselves talking like friends who have known each other for a long time.

Zambia has Victoria Falls, one of the three great waterfalls in the world, and retains 60% of all the water in southern African area. People respect water, and treat water with a feeling of awe; they use water to purify themselves by putting water from their chin to face, and head, using their hands.  The ritual is so similar to that of Japanese purification.

She expressed her wish to have my exhibition in Zambia.  She even set the timing for this year or next year.

I feel that Africa is the last defense against environmental conservation for this entire planet.  If Africa is urbanized like Tokyo, New York, or Paris, an eternal life for the earth will not be guaranteed.  In order to keep the current situation, we ought to know what we have to right now.

Zambian people should recognize the importance of their fresh air and lively water in order to support the future of the earth.  People from the city, like Tokyo, New York, or Paris, have to tell Zambian that the things they have right now are the best.  Because, no so-called “developed” cities can get back the beauty of it any longer.

TRANSITION TO THE ECO-CENTRIC HUMAN SOCIETY

After the Great East Japan Earthquake on 3.11 in 2011, what do people of Japan think about the way the society should be?

Some have provided assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction directly or indirectly, and others haven’t done anything yet.  In any case, however, each may feel some kind of sentiment and powerlessness that this is not the end of supports. 

Something has to be done.

Something has to be changed.

However, what are those? How can we know the things needed?

How can we communicate and share with others?

These maybe common questions among many, and I also have heartache on the subject.

I came to a conclusion that it is important that each one of us takes some time to think about and reflect on oneself.  Each people’s strong feeling will be passed on and connected at certain point.

Until then, it may be the time for individuals to examine well about the matter.

In order to change something…

WATER: NO.21 WATER AND HUMANS

Life is fresh and juicy.  (In Japanese, we say Mizu-mizu shi, meaning it contains full of water inside.)  Water flows smoothly.  In order to keep our life fresh and young, smooth flow of our body fluid is a key.

Focusing our mind on “beauty” is one of the ways.  Desire for beauty, so to say. 

Beauty is light.  As plants grow toward light, we have to exercise our heliotropism in our mind.

Beauty inhabits the truth and virtue.  Desire for beauty leads our lives for better off.  Beauty also flows, and there life dwells. 

Dynamic and flowing beauty is an image of energy.  Desire for beauty calls for hope in life.  Life=light=beauty=water.  Keep this picture in our mind, and let’s make each of our life fresh and young!

Photo : Yu Nozaki

WATER: NO.20 WATER AND SPIRITUALITY

There are four elements to compose the world; earth water, fire, and wind.  We have to keep in our mind how to live with these elements in order to live better life.  Among them, water influences our life directly. 

Humans have used water not only for drinking, domestic use, or commercial use, but also for ethical use in life; such as baptism, other religious ceremonies, and prayers.

My mother used to perform cold-water ablutions during December and February.  She woke up early in the morning, while it was still cold, using a well in our backyard.  She kept the water overnight, so it had gotten ice on it.  She poured the water all over her body for 10 times or so.  I remember to ask her why she did that, because her behavior made me sad somewhat.  She explained to me that this was a prayer for us children, 6 of us, for our future, health, and prosperity.  I wasn’t still convinced and asked again why she didn’t pray for God.  Her answer was that water purified and washed away our sins and “stains” which had accumulated inside of us without noticing. 

This showed me an example how the water and spirituality has been connected in our life.

WATER: NO.19 BODY FLUIDS

Since amnion liquid shares the same constituents with sea water, we can imagine the body fluids is similar as well. 

If the birds, insects, and animals are similar with their body fluids, we can conclude that all the lives are one.  We have water in our body both inside and outside of all the cells.  Water which is inside of the cells creates oxygen, synthesizes protein, or releases hormones.  Water which is outside of the cells brings water and oxygen to whole body, and excretes waste products. 

“Life” means to circulate and to flow.  In our body, blood and body fluids play an important role in the activity.  Those are carried by water.  Water is the “life”.

WATER: NO.18 3.11

Exactly a year ago from today, we had earthquakes and tsuami.  The impact from the disaster will remains in people’s mind as long as they live. Rehabilitations and reconstructions will take long time.   

Since I have been working with water for long time, I am committed to do things in order to express a feeling of atonement.

One of the interviews from the victims remained in my mind.  She said “it was a disaster largely from the tsunami. However, it is beyond my imagination how much we had been blessed by water and the sea. Therefore, I will continue to be thankful and grateful of the water and the sea.”

I cannot help feeling the strong dignity of people who live with exalted spirits in those words.  I am just thankful for the idea.

WATER: NO.17 BLOOD

As long as the blood is running in animals’ body, they are alive.  Since the blood is consisted of water, it is warmed up by body energy and sustains the body temperature.  This sounds very common, but it is very important.  It flows in the body, because it is a liquid. 

Japanese expression of Chi-shio, blood which runs like a sea water, implies the relationship between the blood and sea tide, as well as moon. 

It has been said from the ancient times that sea tides and phases of the moon influence births and deaths of the living beings.

It implies that our lives depend on the water which exists in the universe.  Separated by a thin skin, the water in the body receives the energy from the universe.  Perspiration is a communication between inside and outside of the body influenced by the outside temperature. 

Human blood and sea water is similar in terms of its constituents.  This backs up the fact that the life was born in the sea water.  Water is life itself.

WATER: NO.16 WATER GETS WARMER

There are phrases in Japanese expressions which symbolize each season.  For spring, we say wind glitters, mountains smile, and water gets loose.  Those sounds please my ears. 

“Wind glitters” symbolizes the lights of spring, and you can imagine fresh breezes and glittering lights around you.  If you look at mountains within a month or so, you will see fresh greens from deciduous trees which are full of new leaves, as if “mountains smile”.

Together with that green, other greens from evergreen trees and pink floral bud cover the whole mountains.  From the distance, they are as if smiling.

When you soak your hands in a pond or in a river in spring, it is not freezing anymore.  When the air is warmed up, whole nature becomes relaxed and loosed from the cold, including winds, mountains, and woods.

I wish this relaxed and loosed atmosphere reached in no time to northern parts of Japan where people are still suffering from the past disaster.

WATER: NO.15 CLOWDS

Clouds are assembly of water!!

Since they float in the air, they do not seem as water.  However, they are aggregation of vapors.  Half of the earth is always covered with clouds.  They say it is a 10-day cycle to change the water on the earth and in the air.  In other words, it takes approximately 10 days since the water on the earth evaporates after it is warmed up, floats in the air as clouds, and comes back to the earth again when precipitates as rain.

During the process, the water transforms itself from vapor, ice, rain, and snow while changing its quality and contents.  By doing so, water purifies itself and recharges energy.  People depend their life on that pure water.

I always remember some phrases by looking at the clouds in the sky; In the beginning there was the Water.  And God separated the water into the heavens and the earth.”

Photo : YuNozaki

WATER: NO.14 WATER MIRROR

In ancient times when people still did not have mirrors, they looked into water to see themselves. 

During this season of the year, air is cold and clear.  Therefore, paddles on the roads or in the fields reflect moon mysteriously.  It transcends beauty, and solemnly reaches to deep inside of me.  From the ancient times, people have tremble in awe with the sight.

In autumn time, ponds reflect the color of leaves so beautifully.  That makes me sentiment to see very moments of time which flows away continuously.  It seems to me that nature uses water to boast its beauty as if the water is a special mirror.  The beauty is in particular on the clear water, as if water fairies refine one’s beauty using their surroundings.  At the same time, it also tells us how the water has communicated inside of ourselves throughout the years.

Photo : Yu Nozaki

WATER: NO.13 TEARS

A primary role of tears is to protect eyes.  However, tears are meaningful when it comes to emotion.  We would shed tears when we encounter happiness, sorrow, suffering, or pain.  When we cry too much, tears also come out from our nose.

I think tearing has soothing effects and make people feel relaxed.  I often hear people say that “after I cry a lot to certain point, I feel refreshed.”

This tells me that people have to switch their minds from one thing to another in order to live their lives.

In other words, tears are message from our body to live a human life.  The sensation which comes after crying gives us refreshment and existence of our soul.  That is like sacred water which purifies us.  Given that, I wonder the components of the teas which we shed when we are sad and happy would be different.

Photo : Yu Nozaki

WATER: NO.12 SACRED WATER

Japanese culture uses water for purification, and Christian culture for baptism.  I think it is a representation of both cultures, which respect water as a source of living beings.

Water knows no border!

In Japanese culture, water plays an important role at big moments in people’s life as medium between life and death.  Starting from the first bathing, the water is used for many ceremonies such as when visiting Shrines, New Year’s special drink, offerings for gods in temples, shrines, or houses, and so on.

People would exchange a glass of water instead of drinks when they apart, or give water at people’s death bed for the departure.

Water purifies itself, and gives lives to other living creatures at the same time.  Therefore, water is sacred.

Spring is around the corner.  There is a famous ritual called Omizu-tori, or receiving water, which announce spring.  It is believed that the ritual gives the country a new life; that is a proof of Japan being a land of water.

WATER: NO.11 AMNIOTIC FLUID/ WATERS

Amniotic fluid in mothers’ body is like a home for all the living beings.  I wonder how it is made.  Does it come after the life is created in a womb, or does it exist already in women’s body when they were born?

I heard that the constituents of amniotic fluid are very similar to the one of ancient sea water.  If that is true, it can be said that women are holding sea in their body.  I wonder that living beings in the fluid are floating on, or soaked in it.

I like to be in a swimming pool and stretch my legs and arms while floating; the slow movements of my body, rocking, and playing with the water make me feel as if I am in a womb.  I breathe with my lung, but my life form does so with branchia.  The shift of breathing happens at the first exhalation with the initial cry of the baby.  Then, the baby inhales the oxygen for the first time on the earth.

Photo : Yu Nozaki

WATER: NO.10 GOOD WATER

People often ask me what kind of water is good for the health.  I am not an expert in the area, so I tell them that “the one you think is tasty is good for you.”  This sounds ambiguous; however, I think this is right.

Even the regular water you always drink, will surely help your body becomes lively if you become thankful while you drink it.  I think being conscious of the water is the key.  When you drink water, wash your face with it, or take bath, consciously be thankful to the water.  That will make the water happy.

If the nature and human beings can benefit each other by coexisting, all the natural creatures should understand the meaning of our thankfulness.

WATER: NO.9 UNBOILED / SPRING WATER

When you hear “unboiled” water, you may think of germs or uncleanness.  However, this “unboiled” water is the natural water, and best for our body.

People used to drink the water which directly wells up from the earth.  At some point of the history, however, they started to say that do not drink water directly from the well but to boil well once.  It may have started when the industrial chemicals were used by humans in the natural world.

Since then, unboiled water became the enemy of a good health.  As a result, our bodies have run out of minerals which we could take in from the spring water or plants without special consciousness.

Even so, there are still places where you can enjoy spring water.  Moreover, some use the water for tap water without boiling it. 

I really think those people who can drink spring water as if it were air are very lucky.

WATER: NO.8 PONDS AND SWAMPS

A pond we talk here is not as big as a lake.  We can find a pond and a swamp close to where people live, and it has a trait as somewhat spooky.

For example, some legendary monsters, such as “Kappa”, big snakes, and big frogs, may live there as a guardian of the area.

When I was a child, I was eager to see the guardian from my adventurous spirits.  I even wanted to catch it if I had a chance, and explore ponds and swamps for that purpose.

Ponds and swamps generally situate so-called “Satoyama”, or secondary forests.

That is a place where water flows into and stays from the nearby hills.  It is used by farmers for their cultivation and daily chores.

The place has a unique habitat with many insects and birds where you can see many competitions for existence.  Therefore, it is a battlefield for them.  They gather close to water to live; it nurtures lives, offers straggles for survival, and the dead body brings out new lives.

The condition would not be changed even the water surface becomes ice.  That makes the ponds and swamps alive.

WATER: NO.7 MIST OR DIAMOND DUST

The air contains massive moisture though it cannot be seen.  Humidity is expressed by percentage.  When it exceeds 100%, it forms condensation.

You will see mist when the condensation is cooled down in the air as very small dues.  It covers everything and you even cannot see the things around you.

When it gets colder, say -20℃, crystal vapor in the air start to sparkle while it reflects the light from the sun.  It is cold “diamond dusts”. 

Both mist and diamond dust is a phenomena caused by the change in temperature of the water in the air.

If the air contains no moistures, we cannot breath.  Also, it connects people together and coveys feeling among us.

Our feeling can be shared, and we feel the joy and sorrow even with a distance because of the moisture in the air.  The moisture is a mediator to convey our feeling of “likeness” to each other.

Photo : Yu Nozaki

WATER: NO.6 ICICLES OR DUES

It is worth listening to the sound of dues which come down from a roof.

Also, the sound of Suikinkutsu, an ornament and music device in Japanese garden, is amusing.  It has a different flavor, and the sound greatly stimulates my imagination.

“The drop bores the hard rock.”

I remember the saying about a drop of water; by continually falling for long time, the water even makes a hole on a hard rock.  I was surprised to see the actual rock with a dent.

The icicle, a frozen form of the due, receives a light from the sun, and sparkles while it shows the strength inside.

Photo : Yu Nozaki

WATER: NO.5 SLEETY RAIN

When it rains together with snow and ice, it feels like as if whole the city will be frozen.

It makes trees, birds, and flowers cower with the cold.

And, the thought that someone is wet with this sleety rain makes me sad, and I hope s/he will be able to feel warm soon.

The water supports life on one hand, but here it shows different aspect.

The water maybe begging to be warmed up; its small wish before the spring….

Photo : Yu Nozaki

WATER: NO.4 SNOW

Even a mere precipitation from the sky is exciting, and snow, which is pure-white and soft, comes down from the sky while dancing.

I open my umbrella and catch the snow before it reaches to the ground.

I make a small ball and put in my mouth.

Inside of my mouth will be filled with something cold;

soon it becomes water while I am trying to examine the texture.

It does not feel like water, though;

It is something sacred which comes from far away from the sky.

It may be a sublimed life-force which has circulated in the universe.