◎ Happiness Was Not Something to Become, but Something to Savor ◎

Looking back on 2024,
I find myself overflowing with gratitude.
Right now, I am savoring happiness.

Happiness was not something to wish to become.
It was simply something to savor.

In my work as a calligrapher, the decades-long realm
of effort, endurance, and grit has come to an end.
I have graduated from pushing myself and finally stepped
into a new realm: enjoying the work.

For years, relaxed, heightened concentration was a challenge.
Even after learning from my teacher, I could not achieve it for years,
until one day it suddenly became possible.
Sometimes I still return to intense concentration built on tension.
Sometimes I merely relax and pretend that I am concentrating.
Now I can accept those moments too.

In the work of being human,
the burning ceremony for my painting of hell at Kinpusenji Temple
brought a profound change.
After receiving Buddhist ordination at Todaiji Temple,
I finally woke up.
The way I see the world changed.
It felt as though generations of predecessors spanning more than
a thousand years had taken me by the collar and gently lifted me up.
I realized that I was not alone; we were one.

The sky is clear today. What a beautiful day.

Your 2024 has been a wonderful year.
May 2025 be a wonderful year for everyone.

SISYU