6. An Air Garden
Forest in the City

April 2004, an air garden made its appearance in Omori, where Mom and my sister live now. We have a huge hemp palm tree (about 50 years old) which creates a nice atmosphere, as if we were on a tropical island! There is a white parasol, a wood table and chairs with cat motifs. Cushions have been imported from Paris and afternoon tea is ready to be served.

When I was twenty years-old, I exhibited a big pottery work entitled "Forest in the City" at Faenza International Art Festival. Mom wanted to show it to my friends and decided to build a wood deck. There are also many other works of mine - bigger ones - on the wood deck.

As I never had a wife nor children my works are like my children and I love them very much. Now they have come back to where I grew up.

Under the hemp palm tree in the southwest, a statue of a soldier crying blood tears was placed instead of a talisman.

A wind is blowing. The airport is close to our house, we can see airplanes flying, and their silver wings are shining!

Our friends from Tokyo and Gifu Prefecture are getting together now. Friends from Tokyo Art High School! We often got together and had rock concerts. That was quite exciting! Friends from Hida International Art Craft School! We spent such a wonderful three years together. Those were the brightest days in my whole life. Everybody is laughing and having fun. I know you are talking about me, and I am flying to you as a Swallowtail. Mom and my sister look happy too, and I am happy if all of you are happy.

A friend of mine, an iron works' artist, whose birthday is coincidentally just the same as mine (July 26, 1969), made some exquisite lamps, at Mom's request, in the shape of an owl and a butterfly, and a lantern of dragonflies.

It is getting dark outside and these lamps gradually begin to glow, and all of a sudden our air garden turns into a very romantic place! Somebody put on a CD of "The Last Waltz" by “The Band” which is my favourite rock band. They are singing,

I see my light come shinin'
From the West until the East
Anyday now, anyday now
I shall be released.

The day we can be released will come someday for everybody. We will meet there someday and I'll be waiting. Let's talk and sing all night! Until then I'll be here and always watching you. Please don't be sad. I will see you someday, that's for sure, I'm always with you, and it's true.