Nice Jizo
– Now then. I’ll bring the stream outside starting now.
Last time, I did the aftertalk in the studio. I’d gotten a little restless then too, but…
Doing this when walking’s not quite what I expected, hm. It's more difficult than I thought.
I’d seen Shiratori doing this yesterday, so it made me want to try it out myself…
But there's a big difference between watching someone do it and actually doing it. I can't help but worry about the stream quality.
What do you all think? If it’s hard to watch, then I’ll do what I can to fix it…
… Oh? “It’s refreshing, it feels like going on a stroll with you,” … you say?
I see. Streaming from this angle is just unusual to me because I'm used to fixed cameras.
In that case, I’ll continue on in this format.
… Anyways, how was today's stream?
Today I delivered you all a lecture, as an installment of the Daily Life of the Son of a Temple series1...
I do get a little too passionate about giving lectures, so people typically find mine overbearing, however…
I see. If anything, the stream appears to be well-received. To be honest, that makes me happy to hear.
At its essence, lectures, or sermons, refer to the transmittance of the teachings of Buddha. From this, the definition expanded, and it began to refer to the process of explaining the principles behind a concept.
In any case. Monks have given sermons since ancient times, and for people, sermons have served as a familiar guide for leading them in their daily lives.
Way back, these were recited within temple grounds and at gatherings, and were then accepted as wisdom and morals for day-to-day living.
Through the passage of time, sermons have a lot of inaccessible words and expressions that are hard to understand, so they’re often thought of as something rigid and formal...
But it is exactly because it has been passed down over so many years that they are an indispensable guidepost for humankind.
I think I'll continue to talk about these things from time to time. I would be grateful if they could be of some use in your daily lives.
That said, I feel like I got a little too enthusiastic and went a little overboard... I should have reined it in a little more.
Next time I’ll prepare something that is more easy to understand.
Hm? What’s this…?
… Ahh, sorry. I got a bit distracted by something. I spotted some unfamiliar statue as I was walking.
What kind of statue is this, I wonder? …Ahh, I’m on selfie mode, so you can’t see it. Let me switch the camera over for you.
Alright, how is this? You all can see it too now, right?
Hm… This doesn’t seem to be just an ordinary statue. There must be some sort of significance to its very existence.
Actually, there’s quite the plethora of “Nice!”s and praying emojis rolling in for it.
It’s a surprise that inorganic things can garner “Nice!”s like this too, not just idols.
… Upon closer inspection, the hat on the statue appears to have been a recent addition. It resembles a Kasa Jizo somewhat.
Hm… It could be that… this statue might be a Jizo2 for the MEGASPHERE.
On the topic of Jizo: originally, they were enshrined all over as beings that watch over children and travelers.
For the sake of time, I’ll have to leave out their religious origins, however. Their popularity amongst the people speaks for itself, as seen with the famous story of the Kasa Jizo, of which I mentioned earlier.
As the story goes… one snowy night, a kind old man thought a Jizo looked cold, and gave it his own hat to wear. In return, the Jizo brought the old man good fortune.
The moral of the story is that “the good you do for others is the good you do for yourself.” In other words, the compassion you give to others comes back around to you.
The conventional practice for Jizo statues is to offer coins and offerings with a prayer, but…
Seeing these “Nice!”s and emojis being given like this is very fascinating, it’s like witnessing some kind of new-gen version of going to a shrine and paying respects.
I've heard there are temples and shrines you can visit online. Visiting shrines in person is still the current norm, and I think that's natural myself too, but...
Over time, this might prove to be something that becomes a very common practice.
... Heh. The aftertalk turned into another lecture before I knew it.
Next time we’ll take a break from the topic of temples and talk about something different. See you then.
(… Hm. I ended up talking way too much.)
(The people around me tend to run away the moment I start to open my mouth. I suppose I tend to get way too into it.)
(It’s essentially an obligation to stream here, but… I'm grateful that people are willing to listen.)
U-Um…
Hm…? I thought I noticed someone. So it was you, Kagehira?
What’s the matter? Have you come to pay respects to this Jizo?
Nna~ It’s not that…
That’s just a piece I made. It’s not a Jizo or anythin’. I just left it here.
I brought it out here to take a picture of it and celebrate its completion, but then I went and forgot it...
I didn't even know where I mighta I left it, and time just kept passin’.
And right when I finally found it again, there were all kindsa “Nice!”s and emojis, like it's become some kinda blessing.
I couldn't bear it, so I came here to finally take it away, but...
I heard what ya said earlier. I'm a little hesitant, ‘cuz there might be people who would be sad if it was gone, ya know?
Still, it is just "junk," to people who wouldn’t care about it. I shouldn't just leave it there, should I…?
Hm… Well, Kagehira, are you opposed to leaving this statue here?
Opposed…?
Yes. The fact you took a picture of it means you had plans to use it for something, didn't you?
Not really. This was just a practice piece, ya know, like a prototype.
I jus’ took a picture ‘cuz it turned out good, but I don’t really have any particular plan fer it.
I see… Ordinarily, you should have retrieved it as the owner, but...
If you’re not opposed to leaving it here– perhaps you could explain the situation to Anzu and discuss a means to let it stay here.
Huh? … So yer sayin’ to leave it here?
Yes. Look— someone has given it a “Nice!” and has offered it a prayer.
That is to say; your art isn’t just a decorative piece, but a source of emotional support for someone.
If it suddenly disappears without any explanation, I’d say some would end up feeling confused and lonely.
Additionally, a place that naturally garners “Nice!”s like this should be a benefit for the management.
I’m sure this kind of hidden gem would lead to an increased user satisfaction too.
If you think about it like that, there’s plenty of meaning in leaving it here.
Hm~m… I don't really get the complicated stuff regardin’ the management, but...
So basically what you’re sayin’ is that it’s not a bad deal fer the MEGASPHERE?
If my art’s become something that brings someone support... I’m a lil’ embarrassed, but happy too.
Well, in that case, I'll go talk to Anzu-chan about it right away. Thanks a bunch fer hearin’ me out, Hasumi-senpai...♪
Hah… So a piece of art has been elevated into an object of faith in the most unexpected way, huh?
No. Perhaps art made back then too first budded from someone's thoughts and feelings in the very same way, and that’s how these stories came to be.
I'm a little concerned about how well Kagehira can convey what I had intended, but… If it’s Anzu, I'm sure she'll read between the lines and know what to do.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this statue will spread among people from here on out.
As someone privy to the story behind it, allow me to quietly watch over it...♪
Translation Notes
- ↑ Keito becomes one of the Six Selected of Song in Sailing Ceremony by streaming about the daily life of being the son of a temple.
- ↑ Statues of the Bodhisattva Jizo often dot along trails and sit innocuously, looking over wandering travelers.