I hope everyone is doing well. The cherry blossoms in Tokyo are now in full bloom.
For Japanese people, cherry blossoms are something truly special.
They bloom beautifully in full glory, and then quickly scatter like a blizzard of petals.
It is in this fleeting moment that we feel their true beauty.

The cherry trees gifted from Japan to the United States are also blooming magnificently,
bringing joy to the American people. Many visitors to Japan come
to my shop and tell me how glad they are to have seen the cherry blossoms.
I often think that if the world could remain as peaceful as this, everyone could live together in harmony.
This morning, I went to the hospital for rehabilitation. It was quite painful,
but I managed to exercise for about 30 minutes. I have been continuing this routine for several months now.
Taking long strides and walking slowly is very good for one’s health.
Recently, I have stopped using my car and try to walk as much as possible.
I walk twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, for about 30 minutes each time.

Even on rainy days, I walk with an umbrella, enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms now in full bloom, walking at a slightly brisk pace while taking in the scenery. I highly recommend this to everyone.
Best of all, it costs nothing. It helps build a healthy body, allowing us to live brightly and happily, and I hope to live in good health until around the age of 90.
In the past, Japanese people did not live as long as they do today. However, recently, more and more people are living beyond 100 years. The average life expectancy in Japan is said to be 81.09 years for men and 87.03 years for women. It is estimated that by 2070, this will increase to about 86 years for men and 92 years for women.
I hope all of you stay healthy, cheerful, and live long lives.
There is something I often tell both younger people and those who are older. When you are young, you should work hard and also pursue what you truly want to do.
As you grow older, those interests and passions can become enjoyable work, allowing you to transition from your main career.
When working for a company, retirement eventually comes. At that time, you can continue enjoying and pursuing what you started in your younger years.
I encourage the staff at our company to work in this way. For example, sword polishing is a very rewarding profession. With skill, one can earn around 50,000 yen per sword, and with further improvement, about 100,000 yen.
In this world, it is important to do work that you personally enjoy.
Recently, due to Japan’s declining population, many foreign workers have begun to fill the gap. Their language skills are impressive, and they are active in many industries such as automotive, convenience stores, and construction.
Some women even wear kimono and assist at banquets, which I found quite remarkable. Many people are actively supporting work in Japan.
As for Japanese swords, I used to purchase them overseas and bring them back to Japan for sale. However, in recent years, it has become very difficult to find good pieces abroad.
As a result, I have stopped buying overseas and now purchase within Japan, selling to both Japanese and international customers. However, I have begun to feel that even within Japan, high-quality pieces are becoming scarce.
This may be because many fine items are now being purchased by international buyers.
People from the United States and Europe show a deep understanding of Japanese swords and take great care in preserving them. Some even study more diligently than Japanese collectors.
This is evident in published appraisal exercises, where 25 foreign participants took part, with many answers coming especially from Germany and France.
If we underestimate their abilities, the time may come when we ourselves will learn from them.
Judo and karate have already evolved overseas, and now people sometimes learn from foreign instructors. Kendo and other martial arts may follow a similar path.
It is said that currently, about one in eighteen participants in sword appraisal activities are foreigners. They study diligently despite having limited materials.
Looking at the world situation, conflicts continue. Former U.S. President Donald Trump is involved in tensions related to Israel and Iran, and it is unclear how long these conflicts will continue.
As I mentioned before, there have been tragic incidents in Iran where families lost their lives due to sudden bombings. Conflicts involving religion tend to be deeply rooted.
It seems difficult to bring an end to the strong tensions between Trump’s stance and Iran’s anger. I sincerely pray that war will disappear from this world.
The world is becoming smaller, yet conflicts are increasing, along with the sorrow they bring. Russia and Ukraine, Iran and Israel, and the involvement of other nations.
Even international organizations meant to mediate are not functioning effectively. Are we left with no choice but to pray?
To all grandparents, I hope you are well. Please keep walking—twice a day, in the morning and evening—to strengthen your legs.
To husbands and wives, after many years together, there may be disagreements, but please continue to enjoy life together—whether viewing cherry blossoms or traveling.
To parents, please teach your children kindness, cheerfulness, and simplicity. Let them experience nature. There is much to learn from the clear, cool streams of a small river.

I wish everyone good health. Please take life slowly and enjoy it.

Aoi Art
Kazushige Tsuruta