YOMU Editorial by Dennis Sun

Jeepney Press EDITORIAL by Dennis Sun

Spring is a particularly important time of the year in Japan. It is the start of the fiscal year, school year and, of course, the start of the cherry blossom season!

All over the country, family and friends gather round the cherry trees to celebrate with food and drinks, full of admiration for the bountiful, and full of hope for new beginnings that the flowers bring. There are endless posting, sharing, liking and commenting of photos on Facebook and Instagram by both locals and tourists. Welcome to the quintessential Japan!

But because of the coronavirus pandemic this year, everyone has to shy away, stay at home and shun the sakura shindigs. It should be health first before the sakura.

I tried my best to stay at home as much as possible. However, as I have asthma attacks (which has become more frequent), I needed to get fresh air. Being diabetic, exercise is also very important. So I needed to strike the proper balance between a home “lockdown” and healthy outdoor adventures.

As the gyms were closed, the only way I could get fresh air and exercise while avoiding people is by waking up very early in the morning and walk to the nearby mountain park near my home in the eastern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Challenge accepted—I don’t know how I did it because I am basically a night creature. Here is my typical routine: - I wake up at 3 AM automatic everyday (without the aid of an alarm clock!). - I spend some time reviewing my Japanese reading and writing. - I do my morning meditation, say my affirmations and come up with my visualizations. - Then, around 4 AM, I would be out and about while it is still dark, and would be enjoying a private walk to the park. I would be welcomed by the giant trees as I go hike up the mountain top. I would feel the fresh cool air and start my stretching and deep breathing exercises.

I think it’s because of this daily morning ritual that my asthma has began to heal. My speaking voice suddenly became normal sounding again. And the slight pain in my chest mostly disappeared.

Until now, I still walk around the huge park and greet all the blossoming flowers along the way. It’s still spring and I feel privileged to have a private viewing of the whole park–all to myself. The government may have advised people not to celebrate the hanami to avoid cluster of infections but here am I having the best seat in the house.

Of all the years that passed, it’s only now that I have really come to appreciate springtime in Japan. Every day, I take pictures of the lovely blossoms I see. I have actually made a photo diary of the fascinating flowers in Facebook since March. Up to this day, I continue to do so.

This mountain park has become my sanctuary and refuge. The trees, the grass, the flowers have become my friends. I talk to them and they listen to my feelings. Soon, perhaps, I would be able to understand and speak their language, as well.

It is not all gloom and doom during this pandemic. We should always look for the bright and blooming side in everything. It’s all so funny that it is during these darkest moments when beauty presents itself in the most unexpected place. For me, mostly, it was because of spring and the flowers. And at this very mountain park where I live. I have been living here for several years already and I didn’t expect it would become my sanctuary. This time. During the coronavirus pandemic.

"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." - Hans Christian Andersen

Dennis Sun

Photos by: Dennis Sun