Studying history was never my thing. I was always more interested in the present and future, rather than what happened in the past. I didn’t have a strong sense of patriotism toward Japan either. I felt more admiration for the countries I had yet to see across the ocean than the country where I was born and raised. That’s probably why I spent a long time traveling overseas.

It’s funny how the more I traveled, the more I felt the wonders of Japan, and the more I thought about its history and traditions. It wasn’t until I became an adult who was able to travel freely that I realized perhaps the scenery that I had casually seen and the changing seasons I had taken for granted were something unique to Japan. Something that had been created over a long period of time.

When I looked at the carefully maintained garden from the veranda of Ryosokuin, I thought that this was exactly the beauty of Japan. The appearance changes swiftly to a move of a cloud or a blow of a wind. These trees, rocks and water have created this beautiful landscape over hundreds of years, gradually changing their shapes and colors. Everything I saw seemed instantaneous and eternal at the same time.

With mixed senses of great awe and pride, I started painting. I had never been conscious of being Japanese while drawing until now. In fact, I had always thought of myself as a person who is far from such nationalism. During the process of painting, the Japanese part of me awakened. I feel as if the landscape and history of Ryosokuin has awaken the Japanese in me. I was taken to a place I would never have reached on my own and was able to create this work of art I would never have been able to draw by myself. Through this work, I would like to express my gratitude to Ryosokuin, Kyoto and to Japan for raising me.