オリンと初めて出会ったのは2007年の春先だったかね？ お友達のアートオープニング会場であたしたちは出会った。でも、それまでにも彼はあたしを知っていたらしい。あたしたちの接点はブルックリンのウイリアムズバーグ・アート・ヒストリカルセンター/ Williamsburg Art & Historical Center だった。彼はセンターの発足から、館長でもあったMs. Y.N の片腕として、コンピューターを駆使しつつ、センターを軌道に乗せる一役を担っていた。あたしは単に出入りしていたパフォーマーに過ぎなかったし、記憶に乏しいのだけど、オリンには何かしらあたしが印象深かったそうだ。
A vivid dream I had recently: Orin and I, we both missed the bus, so we split up to find the next bus time and departure point. I was in a building that looked like a bus terminal. A woman guide told me to hurry up because the next bus would be leaving soon. I knew I had to tell Orin, but even if we missed it again, we could probably get home by train (?)instead of take a bus, so I was a little relaxed. I tried calling Orin on my cell phone, but instead of getting through, the word “chat” was just hanging up on the cell phone screen, which had been displayed since Monday to continue forever. Like this; chat chat chat ~~chat with Orin…
After I woke up, I tried to interpret it in my own way: That’s right! Orin and I have been chatting forever. I thought. Thank you (tears…).
Live from the “Plant Room” @ Matt & Liz’s houseマットとリズの家に飾られているオリンの絵。恒例のミュージックイベントに、オリンも堪能したんじゃないかな：A painting of Orin hanging in Matt and Liz’s house. I guess Orin enjoyed the annual music event.
It’s been exactly two years since Orin-chan passed away. At last! I find myself overwhelmed with emotion at having come this far. I jumped into the depths of the abyss… then, slowly I’ve given up any hope and then since I swore not to follow delusions, but only acceptance. Perhaps I’ve received all the blessings and support I could ever ask for? I’m so grateful.
I really felt the deep love that my sisters-in-law, Tina and Greta, have for their brother Orin. Thank you so much for your wonderful messages. And the kindness of B, J, Y-chan, and M-san brings me to tears.
I moved to Harlem, which was my desire. It’s my “spring board” where I can give 100% to gardening, kalimba, writing, and all my activities. And I’ll have flown ahead in a few years. I’m grateful for this flow. I’m just grateful for everything.
オリンの初期の絵画と２周忌記念撮影。無題だけど、アタシは『第３の目』って呼んでいる。実は、この写真は引越し前に撮ったの。：An early painting of Orin and a photo taken on the second anniversary of his death. It’s untitled, but I call it “The Third Eye.” Actually, I took this photo before I moved.
ハーレムに落ち着いたオリンちゃん。今後ともよろしく〜。：Orin has settled into the harlem. I look forward to working with you in the future.
My dear friend Y-san’s hospital room has recently been turned into a hospice. I hear that her situation is not fatal, but she is quietly and silently approaching the end of her life. For a brief moment, I share her whole world by staying close to her.
Yさんと手繋ぎ：Holding hand with Yいつ頃だったろう、この写真。オリンとバンド仲間。ありがたい事に、今もあたしは皆さんに良くしていただいてます：I wonder when this photo was taken. Orin and his bandmates (F.o.K/Fist of Kindness) at Eonta Art Space, NJ. Thankfully, everyone is still treating me so well.オリンちゃんの遺灰ネックレスを少し手直しした：I made some rework to Orin’s ashes necklace.
I visited to Judi’s art studio. Last year, I asked her to spread some of Orin’s ashes in her bee garden in Italy. She kindly agreed and spread them at the base of a pomegranate tree. This year, the area around the pomegranate tree was full of blooming with many flowers. She showed many nice photos! Bees are flying around, A garden of peace and love. Orin has gone somewhere (and maybe he’s returned to superconsciousness, not individuality anymore), but I’m sure he’s happy. That’s what I feel.
Bee Garden in Murano/Italy. photo by Judi Harvest At her studio. photo by Judi Harvest
October 25th is the 20th months of Orin’s death and his father’s biological birthday. I wonder if they’re getting along well? Also, I wonder if they’re being reborn as a family. In the evening, I went to a kalimba gathering and had a meaningful time. Also, on the 27th, I went to the opening of the WAH Center for the first time in a while. I dressed up a little like a Halloween costume.
October 3rd is my wedding anniversary with Orin-chan. To celebrate, I’m offering him some bitter red wine, which was his favorite taste. Also I met a friend the day before, and was given great natural salt as a gift, so I made a proper offering here. Really good feeling! rest in peace, love, light, and happiness
M-san came to visit with eel seaweed rolls, corn croquettes, and other things. When Orin was alive, he loved M-san’s cooking and would eat it all up in an instant. Since he was like that, of course we shared some foods with Orin first. When we glanced at the photo, Orin-chan was already full of smiles. No matter how you look at it, his face is flushed red and he is smiling?! Thank you very much, M-san. Gasshou/Rest in peace *I guess the monthly anniversary of his death came forward*
オリンちゃんの月命日に召し上がれ、ってスイーツ満載フォトが届いたよ。 有難う、Kさん！：I received a photo full of sweets to enjoy on the monthly anniversary of Orin-chan’s death. Thank you, K-san!
何て有り難きこと。見事な仏花をオリンにシェアして下さったSちゃん。これも大切なご縁なのですね：What a blessing. S-chan shared her beautiful flowers with Orin. This is also a precious spiritual connection. photo by S.T
Yuma-san requested that she needs to get a video of her performance that I made. I checked out this video for the first time in a while. Ah, how nostalgic! In particular, Orin’s piano soundtrack has been revived after seven years. No, let’s remove the concept of time and space. We are here now, experiencing the “Naka-Ima/just here & now” through video. metamorphosis vol. 2 <– click
A Distant Place *from the poetry collection “Hadaka” by Shuntaro Tanikawa
I think I have come farther than Yotchan, father than Tadashi. I think ever farther than Goro, my dog, and farther than mom. And possibly farther than both my dad and great grandpa. Goro left home one Wednesday and came home late the next Sunday night. He was thin and all covered with mud and kept on lapping up water for a long time. No one knows where he was.
If I keep on walking like this where will I end up? Will I wake up and find myself an old woman? Will I have forgotten all about today and be shipping tea in some place even farther off than here? If so, I hope there’s at least be one person with me I could love. It doesn’t matter even if he’s dead. I only wish I would have an unforgettable memory of him. The smell of the sea comes in from somewhere, but I’m sure I can go farther than the sea.
17年前の冬、アタシたちはこの遊具のところでウオッカを飲んだっけ：17 years ago in the winter, we drank vodka at this playground.波のビデオを撮ってきた、ブライトンビーチにて：I took some video of the waves at Brighton Beach.
Something really strange happened early in the morning. If I hadn’t registered it, Notice, which had never existed before, suddenly entered my cell. It said, “Today is Orin’s birthday”. Not too kind? Of course, it a special day that I’ll never forget, and at the same time, Orin was completely indifferent to his own birthday when he was alive, and now he’s asking me from another dimension, ”What day is it today?” There is no way you could ask someone to do something like this. On this particular day, his website mysteriously froze. M.B-san fixed it without any difficulty. Appreciation.
Anyway, it was a chilly day with a cold wind blowing, but the sun was shining so I headed out to Coney Island. The purpose was to buy him a local beer labeled “Coney Island”, which he loved. However, I couldn’t find any, so I took lots of pictures of the amusement park. It’s off season though.
Even on such a cold day, there are people walking along the boardwalk, and people relaxing on benches and looking out at the ocean. After all, the sea is nice. How grateful I was for the messages from my friends and sister-in-law. It was a day of gratitude that goes beyond words.
Sadly, this local beer factory “Coney Island Brewery” had already closed its operations last year. I’m sorry. However, they are still seen at restaurants and bars in the area. This is a image of its beer.
