Hatsumode Card

Hatsumode is the first shrine or temple visit of the new year. It’s been over five years since I’ve been able to pray at my favorite shrine, 竈門神社 Kamado Jinja. I’ve deliberately tried to paint this shrine from my memories of running here each sunset to meditate. When I lived in Japan I was pretty fearless but I was also really young and naive. I never had a plan and often wandered alone, purely out of instinct and intuition. I was also my happiest during those times. I’m finally starting to feel like that part of me I lost is resurfacing. Revisiting this shrine from afar has taught me that I need to live my life like how I paint. To trust myself more and know deep down what my heart desires.