The Universe of One Jou Square: Kamo no Chomei and the Prayers of the Hojo
The Universe of One Jou Square — Kamo no Chomei and the Prayers of the Hojo
"The river never stops flowing, yet the water is never the same."
This one sentence says it all.
Kamo no Chomei was a poet and essayist who lived from the end of the Heian period to the beginning of the Kamakura period. His "Hojoki" is more than just an essay. It is a work like a single fabric, woven together with the themes of life, prayer, and the impermanence of life, as the turbulent times intersect with the inner thoughts of the individual.
Born into a family of Shinto priests, living as a poet
Chomei was born into a family of Shinto priests at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto. Born into a family that served the gods, he naturally became familiar with waka poetry from an early age and eventually began his path as a poet. He became a disciple of Toshie, a famous poet of the time, and deepened his knowledge of waka poetry. He participated in numerous poetry contests and had his name included in imperial anthologies such as the Senzai Wakashu and the Tsukimairi Wakashu.
His waka poetry sensitively captures the changes in nature and the subtleties of the human heart, and serves as a bridge connecting people with the world through words. His sensitivity to living in harmony with nature and his gaze on the transience of human activities are also reflected in his later work, "Hojoki."
However, his life was not smooth sailing. He failed to advance in his career as a Shinto priest, became embroiled in political strife, and lost his position in the capital. He felt the futility of pursuing fame and status, and eventually left the capital, choosing to live in seclusion in a small hermitage in the mountains.
Hojoan — The Universe in a Small Space
The hermitage where he lived was called "Hojoan" and was only 1 jo square, or about 3 meters square. In modern terms, it is a tiny space, less than the size of a six-tatami room. However, it was filled with the sound of the wind, the light of the moon, the chirps of insects, and the memories of people.
"Hojoki" records the many disasters he witnessed. Fires, tsunamis, famines, earthquakes, and the relocation of the capital—these are not merely records of events, but mirrors through which we can gaze upon the truth of impermanence. He quietly but sharply portrays the fleeting and changeable nature of human life.
"Though we know that the state of the human world is impermanent, we still seek a place to live, accumulate wealth, and cherish fame."
These words resonate deeply with us living in the present day, transcending the time of 800 years.
In a changing world, what should we seek and what should we let go of?
Chomei says that the truth can only be seen once you let go of everything.
It was not simply resignation, but rather a desire for freedom, a form of prayer.
Life as prayer, prayer as life
Life at Hojoan was by no means luxurious.
He lives in a simply constructed hut with only the bare minimum of tools and spends his days in harmony with nature.
However, this lifestyle reminds us of the sense of "knowing what is enough," something we have almost forgotten in modern times.
For Chomei, life was prayer, and prayer was life itself.
Listen to the birds in the morning, look up at the moon at night, and listen to the sound of the wind.
By surrendering himself to the rhythms of nature, he sought to get closer to the essence of human activity.
This way of life has new value even in modern times.
Minimalism, sustainable living, temporary housing after disasters, or a longing for a quiet life away from the hustle and bustle of the city...
All of these are somehow connected to the philosophy of Hojoan.
The Resonance between Kamo no Chomei and WABISUKE
The fabrics and words woven by WABISUKE also give shape to the memories and prayers that reside within a space measuring 100cm square.
It's not just about making things.
It is filled with a quiet wish to be close to someone's life and gently touch their heart.
For example, cloth given after a disaster.
It is not just a practical item, but a form of prayer that says, "I'm thinking of you."
Or color names and words that reflect the changing seasons.
It is an attempt to infuse small pieces of poetry into everyday life, and just like Chomei's waka poems, it serves as a bridge connecting nature and people's hearts.
Furthermore, the "philosophy of gifts" that WABISUKE holds dear also resonates deeply with Chomei's ideas.
Giving a gift is not just about giving something, but about thinking about the other person and conveying that you are together.
It is nothing other than sharing spiritual wealth, not material wealth.
Hope in the midst of impermanence
"Hojoki" is a book that speaks of impermanence.
But that is by no means a sign of despair.
Rather, it is precisely because everything is transient that it teaches us how precious this moment is.
"It's like having a rosy complexion in the morning and turning into a skeleton by evening."
When we come across such words, we are reminded of the finiteness of our own lives.
At the same time, however, it gives us the strength to reexamine what we value and how we live within that limited time.
By giving up everything, Chomei actually gained more abundance.
It is not material wealth, but peace of mind, harmony with nature, and deep prayer.
His way of life can serve as a guide for us today.
Living in a universe of one foot square
A space about one meter square - it is not a symbol of narrowness, but of freedom.
How much richness can you find in a limited space?
It is a question we should ask ourselves in our daily lives.
What WABISUKE aims for is a gaze that looks at exactly this "big thing within the small."
How many memories and prayers can be put into a single piece of cloth or a single word?
This is none other than the sense of "universe" that Chomei discovered at Hojoan.
A sense of infinite expanse within a limited space.
It is not determined by the breadth of space, but by the depth of the heart.
In the hermitage, which is about 10 feet square, the wind blows, the moon rises, and insects chirp.
To him, all of these were the workings of the universe and objects of prayer.
And through his words, that universe quietly expands into our hearts as well.
Living in modern times, we are surrounded by information and things, and even though we live in large spaces, our minds can sometimes become narrow-minded.
At such times, Chomei's ideas at Hojoan remind us of the "richness that lies in small things."
The fabrics and words woven by WABISUKE are also an attempt to harbor such a universe.
For example, fabrics that reflect the colors of the season.
It is not just a color, but a "fabric of time" woven with the changes of nature and human memories.
Or the words to accompany a gift.
Like Chomei's waka poems, it becomes a bridge that gently touches the other person's heart.
Perhaps we should be asking not what to give, but how to give.
And beyond that question, we can see a ``life as prayer'' like that of Chomei.
Hojoan is not just a home.
It is a vessel for his thoughts, a place of prayer, and a microcosm of the universe.
The quietness and depth that resides in this space resonates with us even amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Kamo no Chomei's words transcend the ages and quietly but surely touch our hearts.
It is not a legacy of the past, but a guidepost for living in the present.
WABISUKE aims to be a part of people's lives through these words and fabrics.
Like the universe residing in a space about 10 feet square, deep prayers and memories are put into something small.
And perhaps this is a world that can only be seen by letting go, just as Chomei discovered at Hojoan.
By reducing possessions, quieting noise, and clearing our minds, we become aware of what is truly important.
It represents someone's presence, a sign of the season, and a form of prayer.
A universe about one foot square—
It's all there.
And then, nothing.
By placing ourselves in that space, we become aware of the quiet richness that lies between "there is" and "there is not."
Kamo no Chomei's Hojoan still lives in our hearts today.
This philosophy lives quietly in WABISUKE's fabrics and words.
[Reference] Kamo no Chomei's "Hojoki" (Middle part)