In the year 15 of the solar calendar (2065 AD).
Due to the worst-case scenario of the global warming prediction for 2050, in mid-2047, the United Nations headquarters issued a statement that swift and unprecedented global cooperation was necessary. As part of this effort, Japan adopted a new era name after in 2050, which was shared with the rest of the world.
Tokyo is colorless: A frozen city, said one that named after this city as I have heard of. Black, grey and white cover the city: yes, I’ve come to find it cold and colorless. Looking around the city and upon my foot, I have probably become part of the crowd as well. Recently my days over the lenses have been covered by black, grey and white.
But once looking at this afar, I come to notice something. Once looking at the map from high up, how much the green and the blue surround this city. Once looking upon the afterglow over the cloud, how much of the sky is being filled with the comforting orange.
And the colorful and beautiful food culture lies place to place. The ingredients transform themselves into smaller pieces, traveling miles and miles from an island afar. Here is also a town of gastronomy.
Sustainability, being light and fuzzy like feathers, is a shapeless object. I’ve been trying to catch it with my own hands with certain special feelings. At times it forms a tangible shape, leaving me spark-joy; other times it goes through my fingers deceptively.
As far as I can remember it, I couldn’t help but come to view it again and again. Because that is what something beautiful makes you want to do. I just cannot leave it and look for something else for a long time.
Interestingly, I cannot define it as one particular thing. However, I can bring some successful examples which I was able to grab as something tangible. It’s when seeing an electric vehicle accelerating in the blink of an eye with its quiet three-phase alternative current, right next to a fierce petro one that cannot hold its fuel exploding inside. It’s when using a soft bamboo tooth-brush with its wood scent, instead of one with inorganic, artificial and colorful plastic. It’s when wrapping a gift with a furoshiki that is reusable, robust and uniquely patterned, instead of disposable wrapping paper that cannot erase its own past wrinkles.