Let the words resonate

It has already been two weeks since the new year and life is beginning to return to normal.

The start of the year saw many people realise that this kind of everyday life is not something to be taken for granted, and for me it was also a time to once again consider how I want to live my life.

When I actually try to set a goal, I feel a quiet unrest spreading within me, and my goal becomes vague.

Come to think of it, I had completely forgotten about calligraphy this year.

At that time, I realized that the act of writing it down on paper and declaring it had been the axis of my life every year, and I realized what a wonderful act it was.

I couldn't help but research calligraphy, and discovered that it originated in the Heian period as a court event called "Kisho no Kanade."

It all made sense to me that this is an expression used by people in the Heian period, who are said to have been able to see the "spirit of words," and I ended up forgetting about setting a goal and thinking about the Yoshisho no Mura.

That's what happened that weekend.

At Utsushiki, the first "learning opportunity" of the year was held, and we had a small New Year's party to congratulate " Uja-nee " (aka Kang Yuko), who was the lecturer, on the successful completion of the event.

There, the usual (?)
Yasuhide Ono asks a question that will shake everyone up...!

After asking "What are your ambitions for this year?" Ono adds, "Kotodama (the power of words) is important."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but grin to myself, thinking, "There are people from Heian here too!"

Speaking out your ambitions imprints them on your subconscious and makes them more likely to become manifest, so it would be a waste not to declare them!

I said that but then gave my turn to my husband, what an idiot!
(That day, the topic changed halfway through...Kaorin and I were unable to make the declaration.)

However, I feel truly grateful that these questions give me time to have serious self-talk.

"It's a little hard to say ambition, but it's easier to say goals."

As she declared her goal, Uja-nee also had a flexible and light-hearted demeanor.

I feel blessed to have been able to learn so much from the people I have met.

And "partisanship" remains an important keyword for me.

"The things I value

Tell it in your own words!"

This ambition naturally arose.

2024 is a great year for everyone

The beautiful words resonate together

I hope you have a wonderful year.

Mariko Tanoue