Above and below clouds 雲の上下

True Value 直々の値打ち

　I complete my artwork on a computer. Since it's like a print, I can print out as many copies as needed and share them with those who want one. Recently, someone I shared one with requested, “Please sign your name on it.” They said having an autograph increases its value. It's said that autographs hold value not only for paintings but also for manuscripts like novels. However, compared to a human autograph, its value surely cannot compare to that of a divine autograph.　The “Ofudesaki,” written by Foundress Oyasama, the earthly Parental God, is the handwriting of God. The Parental God's desire to help us became words through Oyasama's sumi brush. God wrote it down personally for us, who tend to forget things just by hearing them. We can savor the very words of our dependable Parental God every day. Its value is immeasurable.

Invisible backrest 見えない背もたれ

More chairs with backrests are being added to the Lecture rooms. Since the lecture session lasts about an hour and a half, having backrests is a blessing. Seeing the backrest allows you to lean back with peace of mind. No one would lean back obediently if told, “It's there, even though you can't see it.” But if the Foundress Oyasama says, “Lean back with peace of mind,” then let's lean back obediently.　The Foundress taught that although Her form is invisible, She has not gone anywhere. She continues to protect us day by day, helping everyone just as before. Even though the figure is not visible, the Foundress has prepared a backrest we can safely lean on. Let us lean on it and follow in the Foundress's footsteps. The path the Foundress walks stretches endlessly, crossing fields and mountains. And the protection of salvation spreads throughout the world, connecting it all with a rainbow bridge.

Oyasama's 140th Anniversary: Jan. 26, 2026 教祖140年祭：2026年1月26日

 

January 26, 1887 

On this day, while the believers earnestly performed the “service,” Oyasama withdrew from the world. Subsequently, through intermediaries, it was conveyed that she would continue to guide people toward a joyous life through the protection of salvation, as if still living. 　

In this painting, the softly undulating lines represent the melody of the “service(song and dance)” heard by Oyasama. She was satisfied that the ‘service’ was performed as intended. The central couple and surrounding people are earnestly performing the “service.” Their gestures are hands pressed together in prayer, depicting their sincere supplication for Oyasama's recovery. 

In the house at the bottom of the painting is the silhouette of Oyasama, who had hidden her physical form. People rush to her in sorrow. The withered tree on the right connects to the plum tree on the left through its roots. The plum tree is budding, hinting at future developments. At the top of the painting is a red house with a rainbow-colored door open. Above that house is Oyasama's bright silhouette. Though unseen, this image represents the Oyasama guiding us as if still living. From this Oyasama, people receive plum blossoms (symbolizing the salvation) and pass them on to others. This expresses the Niigake(mission) and salvation. At the very top, people are depicted joyfully and energetically performing the “service.”

「明治二十年正月二十六日」

　この日、信者たちが「つとめ」を真剣につとめる中、おやさまはお姿をお隠しになりました。その後、取次を通して、存命同様にたすけの守護により人々を陽気ぐらしに導く、とお伝えくださいました。
　この絵では、柔らかくうねる線は、おやさまが耳にされた「つとめ」の調べです。おやさまは、思い通りに「つとめ」が行われたことに満足されました。中央の男女と囲む人々は真剣に「つとめ」をしています。手振りは合掌の手にし、真剣におやさまの平癒を祈っている姿にしました。絵の下部の家には現身を隠されたおやさまのシルエット。それを悲しんで駆けつける人。右手の枯れた木は根によって左手の梅の木に繋がります。梅は芽吹いていて次への展開を暗示しています。
　絵の上部には赤い家があり、虹色の扉が開いています。その家の上にはおやさまの明るいシルエット。姿は見えないけれど、存命同様にお導きくださるおやさまのイメージです。そのおやさまから人々は梅の花(たすけの守護の象徴）を頂戴し、他の人々に渡しています。にをいがけ、おたすけの表現です。 最上部には人々が勇んで陽気に「つとめ」をしている姿を描きました。 

Short stroy, 短編小説

 The connection is poor.

“I'm watching the eruption right now. It's incredibly powerful.”

“Huh? It sounds chaotic... I can't hear you well...”

“A new island is being born right now.”

“Who's being born... What are you talking about...”

“I'll call you back later. I'm... in... no...danger,” Kimio says slowly before hanging up.

Sunlight filters through the mist, diffused and scattered. A faint shadow stretches from Kimio's feet. Ignoring that shadow, he stares intently at the scene offshore.

通話状態がよくない。

「今、噴火の現場を見ているんだ。迫力満点だよ」

「えっ、事故の現場がどうしたって？　なんだか騒がしい…よく聞こえない…」

「新しい島が今、生まれようとしようとしているんだ」

「誰が生まれた…なに云ってるの…」

「また、後で掛け直す。私は、ダ、イ、ジョウ、ブ」とゆっくり云って喜三夫は電話を切った。

　靄を通して届く日の光は拡散していて、喜三夫の足元からはぼんやりとした影が伸びている。そんな影には目もくれず、彼は沖合の光景をじっと見つめた。

Short stories. 短編小説

 I made English translation of my seven short stories. I employed AI to translate and checked myself later, They are good enough to give the reader some idea of what I write. However, they need polishing by the hand of professional native speaker.

私の短編小説７作を英訳しました。AIの力を借りて荒翻訳し、後に自分でチェックしました。この段階で私の作品に込めた意図は伝わると思います。しかし、最終的にはネイティブチェックが必要です。

English translation 英訳

 These days, I do not have long hours to work on artworks, I only have fragmented time. So, I make use of the broken time to do English translation of my short stories. I just completed one titled "The Whisper of the sea breeze". which is consists of mostly dialogue between the spirit(soul) of an owner of a mansion with arabesque patterns (https://shangrilahawaii.org/) and of a legendary surfer(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Kahanamoku). 絵を描くまとまった時間が取れない日々です。途切れがちな時間だけがあります。その時間を利用して私の短編小説を英訳しています。今、翻訳が終わったのは「海風の囁き」という作品で、二つの魂の会話から成り立っています。魂の一つはアラベスク模様に覆われた屋敷の主、もう一つは伝説的なサーファーです。