This is a video work shot on May 1, 2025, when I visited and photographed Ryoanji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, and the Kyoto Botanical Garden.
The main subjects are the wisteria at Ryoanji Temple, the kakitsubata irises at Kinkakuji Temple, and the rhododendrons, Japanese irises, swallowtail butterflies, black swallowtail butterflies, butterflies, dragonflies, and other scenes at the Botanical Garden.
On why I used Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, from the 30th Kiss Port Classic Concert, posted on YouTube, for this work.
The other day, Rio Arai appeared in my SNS feed.
I think it is no exaggeration to say that Japan’s depth in classical music is by far the greatest in the world.
That is because Japan has been, since the beginning of its recorded history, the country where women have been the happiest in the world.
Above all, Japanese women are the descendants of Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon.
Taking lessons, deepening one’s culture, and elevating one’s humanity and social grace have been part of Japan’s tradition.
She, too, proves the correctness of my argument.
And yet, what an astonishing group of women has appeared, following the glittering stars of the previous generation!
In approximate order of age, they include Takagi Ririko, Rio Arai, Takamatsu Ai, Nakano Rina, Yoshimoto Rino, Murata Natsuho, Himari, etc., etc.
That is why Japanese orchestras are all among the finest in the world.
The Osaka Philharmonic, the Kansai Philharmonic, and the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra—the excellence of these three Osaka orchestras.
I will hear the Osaka Symphony Orchestra at Festival Hall on April 18, and it, too, must surely be equally splendid.
Tokyo, beginning with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, must be entirely the same.
The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in this work proves the correctness of my inference.
The famous orchestras in every region are all wonderful.
The same is true of the superb concert halls throughout Japan.
There is no other country like this anywhere in the world.
I created this work in order to convey that fact to the world.