When I first received this poem from Tanikawa-san, I was struck by its essence--it already felt like a song. The rhythm, the vastness, and the very sound of it came together as if it were pure music.
From that moment, the journey of HERE AND NOW began. A poem turned into melody, into music, into a book, into a film, and now it is about to spread its wings to explore new possibilities.
The way it beautifully and curiously captures the act of departing, yet remaining, is truly breathtaking.
"Here I am now." "Please hold me."
Take a moment to experience Rinko-san's HERE AND NOW.
The process of connecting footage I had gathered over the past year while listening to this music has been a deeply fulfilling experience.
Reencountering the scenes I once watched unfold while repeatedly playing this music reminded me that the time that had passed truly existed.
It felt as if I were joining hands with people across races and generations, forming a circle and gently rising into the sky--a vision of an ever-growing world that began with a poem written by Tanikawa-san and expanded as Ikuko-san added her music.