home

Not being born into a Japanese family, I’ve always felt like I can’t really see how older people here live — how they spend their time, what they feel, what their days are like. 
So when my friend and I were invited for coffee at the home of Kiyoko-san — a Japanese granny living in rural Tochigi Prefecture (about 1.5 hours from Tokyo) — I was nervous. Why?
Because in general, showing your home to a stranger isn’t very common in Japan. So I felt incredibly honored. Kiyoko-san lives a simple life alone, next to a mountain hill — which also belongs to her. 
From the entrance, you could already feel how warm she is — handmade objects here and there, a very simple but spotless house, with little bursts of color in each corner. She continued showing us around.
There was a patchwork mat she had made herself — to be used when her time comes to leave this world. (Note: in Japan, these things are usually all white.)
Looking at it, I kept thinking: what kind of feelings did she have while making it, all by herself? It felt like she was preparing to take all her warmth and color with her into the next life. But it didn’t feel sad.
On the contrary — the way she lives is something I can only admire. Every day, she keeps a diary — not in words, but in drawings.
Even a small thing, like going to the hospital, becomes a little story. 
She notices the small joys of life — like the apple pie she baked especially for us. Or the pieces of old clothes her neighbors gave her, which she turned into waraji (traditional Japanese sandals). This whole approach to living just… made more sense to me than my own daily rush. Kiyoko-san is full of happiness and quiet strength.
I hope that one day, I can come just a little closer to feeling life the way she does. Modern life can be so fast, and give so little.
Spending time with someone from another generation can remind you of that in the deepest way. photography by @m_nossa text by me Special thanks to Yuko-san from @locallivingjapan for organizing this trip🧡 #tochigi #slowlife