It was warm. Beyond warm. The sky was clearing out, as if Hina from “Weathering with You” has just stretched her arm wishfully far into the blue above and beyond, with surrounding clouds gradually drifting away, revealing glimmering rays which warmth filled my core.
I remembered when I checked the day before, the forecast read cloudy. But who cares.
“Sasuga desu…” they laughed, so impressed and surrendered. I couldn’t help but feel pleased, and let out a relieved sigh. The soft shore breeze tickles lightly wafting through my cardigan. There were sparkles of magic in the air, so light and soothing.
Sashimi bento was so delicious. The oysters were voluptuous and flavorful in its briny natural dashi of the Setonaikai. Nature’s intentions need no embellishment.
The Seto Inland Sea will always and forever, be my favorite ocean on this planet. I have these pieces of salt-seasoned memories, where I stand on a raised platform–a rock, a bridge, an observation deck. Unfolding before me is the vastness of the calmly flowing waters crowned by countless of faint islands sitting in collectedness like the monks in a zazen hall, so unfazed by the worldly happenings of what we call life.
I have seen the majesty of it from Shiudeyama. Shodoshima. Kankakei. Misen. Kojima. Naruto. Suo Oshima. Each so breathtaking in its quietude as if from a parallel world, but in actuality all are connected, like a piece of colossal cosmic puzzle. I took a deep breath as I try to grasp the grandeur of this universe of mine called Japan.
I love the Seto Inland Sea endlessly.