Tokyo, Japan – I am sending my sincere gratitude to Judy Brayden, Gloria S. Daly and her partner Jim, all the volunteers in the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, the Happy Creek Sawmill owner Wayne Smith, the people who made the beautiful cranes and mobiles, Beverly Russell, and Yuko Yamamoto and her family, and all other people whose hard works realized the Meeting the Master exhibition and the five-day fabric printing workshop in the Cowichan Valley in November, 2014.
On the last day CVAC President Gail Robertson gave me photos of the visit. I am watching them now and recalling each moment of the unforgettable event.
I really admired the nature in Cowichan Valley, and appreciated how people in Cowichan Valley try to preserve and protect it. The Raptor Recovery Centre is actively teaching people about the importance of nature.
When I was watching the keen-eyed predators from a close distance, I recalled my childhood in Nagano prefecture in Japan.
I used to be able to see kingfishers in the Chikuma River. Unfortunately nature in Chikuma River was not preserved properly and I cannot see them anymore. I went to the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre and I found that they are also working hard for nature preservation.
In the Unsworth Winery I enjoyed watching healthy chickens walking around the grape vines and it was really a peaceful scene. I found that the Cowichan Valley is a wonderful, artistic community and I am very glad to have been a part of the community, even in a temporary manner. I was honoured to meet Cowichan Tribes Chief William Seymour and Councillor Deborah Toporowski. The Cowichan Valley Arts Council gave me a beautiful salmon carving by Cowichan carver Detreck George. Fred Roland also gave me carving knives. I deeply appreciate all of the hospitality from the arts community in Cowichan Valley.
Duncan is a beautiful town and I was honoured to be in the ceremony to open the Heiwa Park with Councillor Sharon Jackson and Mayor Phil Kent.
I clearly remember how sadly I felt during the Second World War. I was very moved that I could pray for peace with the Canadian people 70 years after the saddest experience. On the same day while we were having lunch in the Ocean Front restaurant in Cowichan Bay we saw a complete, halfcircle rainbow from the window and I felt we were blessed. Thank you very much for inviting me to the beautiful Valley and I wish you happiness!
Tetsuo Koyama
Tokyo, Japan
