No two stones are alike, and their shapes remain unchanged by human hands alone. I believe they are the ultimate material born of the earth, capable of reflecting any emotion or thought. I regard rock balancing, which harnesses this quality, as “pure art. In my creations, I see the entirety of my inexpressible self reflected—beyond reason or words. Thus, creation is nothing less than self-expression, and each work embodies the “I of that moment.I named rock balancing “Ishihana because, as a Japanese person, I am rooted in Japans cultural sensibilities. It is the act of standing natural stones, shaped by eons of time, and envisioning their beautiful yet fleeting presence as “flowers in an artistic creation. I continue creating Ishihana because it brings me profound joy. If that were all, I might quietly pursue it alone. Yet, I feel this joy holds an irreplaceable, transcendent value, and I cannot help but feel a sense of regret for those unaware of it. This is why I work as an Ishihana artist, a master of rock balancing. This joy, I believe, lies in glimpsing the “self that defies rational understanding. Though I may try to control the stones, I ultimately yield to them, and in the moment they come to rest, I experience an overwhelming sense of reality. By sharing this joy—known only through experience—through images of my work or workshops, I gradually ease my sense of regret and continue to convey this profound experience.