SATORI

When Japanese Mountain Gods appear as children, they are known as Satori. Satori can read your mind. They can speak your thoughts faster than words falls from your lips. Should they hear you lie, they might kill, or even eat you. From an early age, I knew what their story meant - that every lie you tell brings your soul a little closer to death. In Japan, the death of your soul is worse than death itself.

Growing up, there was a little Satori statue next to the front door of our family home. It reminded us not to lie, no matter how good a solution to suffering it might seem. It stood as a reminder for us to accept the truth, and the world, as it is - to let life unfold honestly around us. Most importantly, it told us not to lie to ourselves.

I didn’t take this folktale seriously until my son, who just turned 3, started to lie. I was appalled. Someone I love so dearly learning to lie, to make his life more comfortable. I want my children not to lie. To tell them that although it does not always feel safe to speak the truth, the lie is much more dangerous. How could I explain? I recalled the story of the Satori, that ‘faith to the truth’ is the only way to make your soul indestructible. I took the opportunity to look at myself, really look - and discovered a million lies of my own. I had to stop, so my kids could FEEL what it’s like to have the courage not to lie. It’s not enough to tell them off, tell them how to behave, I must show them.

So my journey to strengthen the soul began. Please join me if you like. Let’s really listen to what we say, lets FEEL the sensation of our words - and live truly, with Satori beside us, to keep us honest.

- Noe Kuremoto 2022

Earthenware Sculpture

W:18 cm D : 30 cm H: 20cm (approximately)