The writer reflects on years spent immersed in Kyoto’s natural beauty, encountering a rare Sendai Leaf Warbler at Ōsawa Pond. Echoing painter Uemura Shōen’s joy in “flowers, birds, wind, and moon,” this essay portrays a day of perfect weather, heavenly providence, and a heartfelt gift of Arashiyama’s scenery to readers worldwide.

2016-01-09

I have always looked at that poster thinking, “Yes, that is exactly how I feel.”
For the past several years, I have devoted myself almost entirely to flowers, birds, wind, and moonlight in Kyoto.
Last year, a poster for a special exhibition of the Japanese painter Uemura Shōen appeared in the Kyoto subway.
Its catchphrase said that during the years she spent absorbed in flowers, birds, wind, and moon, “It was fun, endlessly fun.”
I always felt a deep resonance with that line whenever I saw the poster.
One reason Kyoto is the greatest city in the world is that everywhere—truly everywhere—even in the middle of the city, there are historic gardens, landscapes, and countless wild birds.
I whistle the call of the bush warbler regardless of season.
During the spring, women visiting various sites often mistake my whistle for a real bush warbler, not once but many times.
The wild birds all seem to recognize me, for they always appear in front of me without fail.
So it was today at Ōsawa Pond.
While walking along the little island I rarely visit, a bird I had seen the previous year in a distant corner suddenly appeared.
Naturally, I followed her (or him), keeping a respectful distance.
In the end, I captured a perfect shot—though the friend who will one day become the master of the “Future Photo Gallery” told me not to upload it online.
When I searched later on the internet, I discovered it was a Sendai Leaf Warbler.
I sometimes think about heavenly providence.
It was so during last year’s autumn foliage season, and so again today.
Today is the first day of a long weekend.
Until yesterday, the sky had been wintry, heavy, and leaden, with the mountain ridges barely visible.
But today the weather was flawless.
It was as if heaven had arranged this perfect day for all the good people visiting Kyoto from around the world.
I asked my closest friend to accompany me, and together we rushed straight to Arashiyama.
I now offer today’s photographs of Arashiyama—my own garden—to readers around the world and to all my people back home, especially SW in Sendai.