Before all, there is someone that I must introduce to you all. He is a dear friend from my university days, who is the photographer, who took the photograph of the title image of this part of my blog.

The photograph is titled “The Apparition of a Blue-eyed Dragon”. I had never heard of iridescent clouds until Kosaku shared this photo with me. I was awe-struck, found it very auspicious, and it soon earned a special place in my classroom and in my heart.

Kosaku mainly takes photographs of Mt. Fuji, which is the highest and most famous mountain in Japan. Mt. Fuji is a special mountain for Japanese people, for its beauty of form. And it is often worshiped for its divinity. Kosaku has spent over 20 years, trying to capture, the ever-changing expressions that it presents. And I think he is blessed with a unique talent. There are tons of photographers that are drawn to Mt. Fuji, but in my opinion, he is that rare chosen one, who was given the permission to capture the intimate and sacred nature of Fuji-san.

As you must have already guessed it, I have been a great fan of his works, for the profound spirituality and storytelling qualities that I see in them.

So… imagine how excited and honored I felt, when Kosaku contacted me to send me a photograph he had taken many years ago, as a gift to celebrate the opening of this blog✨

He thought this☟ was a perfect photograph for the theme of this blog, “☆彡Sparkles in Angelhill☆彡”！！　

 The title of the photograph is “Where the Angels Descend”.

It is a photograph from Kosaku’s earlier days as a photographer, when he was focused on taking pictures of Kamikochi, Nagano-pref., rather than Mr. Fuji.

He says this is a scene from one early morning in late October, at the banks of a small pond, called Tashiroike. You can see how the tree branches are covered in rime ice, sparkling with rays from the rising sun. Kosaku told me that you’ve only got a minute or so to capture this moment, because the warmth of the sun, quickly melts the ice on the branches. Can you see the angels descending from heaven?

This was more than enough to celebrate the opening of this blog, but he went on to offer me the free usage of any of his works in my blog!! Can you believe it!?

It was a giant step for me to embark on this journey to start a blog, but what a big push on the back!!!  I am truly humbled and overwhelmed by the honor♥

As I have written before, Kosaku and I go back many years, when we used to attend the same classes in university, played cards with our friends and went bowling from time to time. Who could have thought that, we would stay in touch for decades!? And now, for him to generously offer to support my blog!? I mean, a blog, something that didn’t even exist back in those days !?

It’s times like THIS that makes you glad and proud of adding years to life. And I would definitely call this a “Sparkle in life”✨ Wouldn’t you!?

Now that I was given the freedom to post Kosaku’s photos, I will surely be introducing more of Kosaku's works in the future. But if you would like to check more of his photographs, please click the button below to jump to his blog. It is in Japanese, but I am sure you can figure your way around 😊 Enjoy!!