January 2026 is now drawing to a close, but the end of last year and the start of this one were filled with lively fun as we bid farewell to the old year and welcomed the new.

Mr. Minami of Tozandō always brings us unique guests.

On December 30th, Mr. Takeshi Nishiyama, an Aikido master, and his wife, Yoko, visited the studio.

Mr. Nishiyama is an Aikido instructor with experience teaching techniques in Morocco and Dubai.

Meeting for the first time, he and Shiozawa hit it off immediately, sharing a deep mutual appreciation for the spirit of Japanese faith.

On New Year’s Eve 2025, the year’s final event was the return of the vanished little Buddha statue to the entrance of our studio.

Last September, a notice suddenly appeared stating that the Jizo statue, located about 5 meters from the atelier, would be removed due to the real estate agency’s arbitrary decision. We sent numerous protest emails to the agency, but they refused to listen. The neighborhood association chairperson took the statue into their care, and we lost track of it after that.

 Then, on December 31st, we noticed neighbors gathered near our studio entrance. When we opened the door, we found a shrine for the statue had been built in the wall space  our studio and next house. And the statue had returned there.

On New Year’s Day, we gathered with neighbors around the Jizo statue for a fellowship meeting.

Japanese people possess the power to sense the spirit within even such a small Jizo statue. It was a New Year’s start where everyone’s warm energy radiated through.

On January 2nd, Ms. Tatematsu joined the annual sukiyaki banquet at Mr. Minami’s residence. It was a delicious and enjoyable New Year’s gathering.

On January 3rd, Yasu, a friend who helped with the offering to the Kumano Sanzan, visited the studio from Wakayama Prefecture with some friends.

On January 5th, We met with Mr. Nishizawa Ryoma for the first time in a while and exchanged updates on our recent activities.

A heartwarming start to the new year.