There are places that demand to be witnessed in silence, and this sunrise was undoubtedly one of them. Getting to the shore before the world woke up, escaping the crowds and the usual hustle and bustle, was a true privilege. The only sound was the gentle lapping of water against the shore; not a single noise besides that. It was just us: the wooden boats, the morning mist, and the silhouette of the giant waking up. That absolute stillness completely changes the experience.
Standing there, wrapped in that almost surreal atmosphere, it's easy to understand why this volcano is surrounded by so much mysticism. The ancient legend of Princess Kaguya (the Moon Princess) tells that before returning to her heavenly home, she left her beloved Emperor an elixir of immortality. Broken-hearted by her departure, he ordered the elixir to be burned on the highest peak in Japan, the one closest to the heavens. It is said that the name "Fuji" comes from fushi (immortality), and that the mist or smoke that often veils the mountain is the memory of that eternal fire.
Today I didn't feel fire, but rather an unbreakable peace.
1 Comment
Stunning work!