January 12, 2012.

After recently photographing the snow-covered Kinkaku-ji, another place I strongly wished to visit was Ryōan-ji in Kyoto.
On November 23 and 30 of the previous year, I had captured Ryōan-ji in autumn foliage—one of the finest results in my photographic career.
This time, I wanted to photograph Ryōan-ji in winter.

In the rock garden of Ryōan-ji, many large stones are set in place.
They are said to represent mountains and the sea. I found myself nodding in agreement.

Behind the rock garden stands a tsukubai (stone water basin), which an old friend reminded me—after a long while—was donated by Tokugawa Mitsukuni.
Inscribed upon it are the words: “吾唯足知 (I know only sufficiency).”

For me, who holds deep respect for the Mito Tokugawa lineage,
this day spent at Ryōan-ji, together with those words, became a truly rich and fulfilling one.