"Some flowers glory in death—certainly the Japanese cherry blossoms do, as they freely surrender themselves to the winds. Anyone who has stood before the fragrant avalanche at Yoshino or Arashiyama must have realized this. For a moment they hover like bejewelled clouds and dance above the crystal streams; then, as they sail away on the laughing waters, they seem to say: "Farewell, O Spring! We are on to eternity."

from Chapter 6 "Flowers" of Okakura Tenshin's "The Book of Tea":

In this world of transience and impermanence,
Where nothing unchanging or perfect exists,
We live our lives.
Within this reality, neither allowing ourselves to be ruled by a wavering heart,
Nor attempting to create an unwavering heart,
But rather cultivating a mindset that accepts being with the fluctuations.
May this place be one with dignified presence,
Where we cherish the ephemeral.

yori.so gallery & label
Kenji Takasaki