Learning Space No. 5: When the dots connect
Ono Karori
With the support of everyone, Utsushiki has been running for almost seven years now.
The 7th anniversary project, "Change", is the theme of Oda Yudai, who is presenting his first photo exhibition and collection of works at this exhibition, and the word also contains the meaning of "change".
The series of dots eventually becomes a line, takes on a visible shape, and we have it now.
Please enjoy these two weeks as you reflect once again on the fact that "living in the moment" is our constant reality.
Each of these three projects is different, and is one of Utsushiki's 7th anniversary projects.
We invited Toyoshige and Misa Ota from TANE, a restaurant serving South Indian cuisine in Beppu, Oita, to hold a learning event on September 3rd and 4th. In the video, they talk about how they find fulfillment in the monotony of repeating the same things every day.
For me, TANE's food is a very strange sensation. It is so rich in spices, yet so gentle. It's not so much the taste, but the heart that is gentle. As you can see from the yoga scene, the two of them are very strict with themselves. But they are always smiling, cheerful, and calming to those around them.
The two of them do yoga every day to ensure they are in a clean, fresh state before starting preparations. The learning session began with three minutes of closed-eyed meditation, and it seemed as if everyone was releasing tension and excitement, calming their breathing, inhaling the aromas, savoring the flavors, and taking in every word.
Add the spices, mix and add the water.
At first glance, it may seem like a monotonous and simple repetition, but what can I notice in it, what state should I be in to notice it, and what is important to get into that state? It was also a time to think again about whether I am continuing to face those parts of myself.
The energy flowing through Yutaka and Misa over the two days we spent together was incredibly refreshing, and I think it was precisely because I had opened my five senses that I was able to sense that the reason TANE's food flows so comfortably through my body is because this energy never stops flowing.
Everything is a series of dots, but for me, the morning yoga that I started last summer is becoming a strong dot.
Before I knew it, a year had passed, and my sessions went from three times a week to almost every day, and the time gradually increased.
I started this because I wanted to get my body in shape after giving birth, but it wasn't just my body that changed, my mind changed as well, so I continued observing my condition and talking to myself while I was pregnant. My rhythm will change in that respect, but now that I have a baby, I want to use this time to spend precious time with my family. I would also like to plan more learning opportunities once things have settled down a bit, so I look forward to your continued support.
"Connecting the dots"
I hope that this learning experience will be one of the connections that connects you all together.
Ono Kaori
