When I gaze upon the mountains that surround us here in the Shonai region, I’m teleported to the mountaintop. I sense the cool wind and chilly fog that encapsulates. I picture the alpine flowers and grasses that blow in the wind, the stony paths and the shrines dedicated to the Kami.

Mountains represent solace.

Mountains represent reassurance.

Mountains represent life.

So when I don’t quite feel myself, when I don’t quite feel 100%, I gaze at the mountaintop and imagine myself up there, a floating existence amongst the cool breeze.

And then I feel solace. I feel reassurance. And I feel life.