Sense of Wonder/Camera/Photography

While killing time in a bookstore I wandered into, the book "Sense of Wonder" caught my eye.

"Sense of Wonder"

I had never heard of the book, but I was drawn to the title and the atmosphere of the cover, so I picked it up and headed straight to the register. Since it said "100 Shinchosha Bunko Books!" on it, I just vaguely thought, "I wonder if this is a famous book?"

It's a way of buying books I often do, and I have many regrets about it, but...

However, this turned out to be an unexpectedly wonderful book.

What was written in the book was about the sense of noticing the beauty and mystery of nature.

And the importance of finding sudden surprises and emotions in familiar scenery.

What should one do to not lose that sensitivity?

Since I started walking around with a camera, I find myself stopping on the side of the road more often thinking, "This is kind of nice..." and the content really resonated with me.

As I read it, memories from a long time ago came flooding back.

* * *

For me, my first "Sense of Wonder" was probably the winter of my sixth year of elementary school.

Back then, my family would go on a hot spring trip every year at the end of the year. It was such a regular event that, at the time, I didn't even think of it as a trip.

(Thinking about it now, what a spoiled brat I was.)

At night, we would have a barbecue under the cold sky, soak in the hot springs, eat soba noodles, and wait for the New Year.

In those days, there were no smartphones. There was nothing to do but watch New Year's TV programs or stare blankly at the fire while sitting next to the adults who were talking around a bonfire outside.

On one such New Year's Eve, I found myself wide awake and unable to sleep, so I decided to go to the hot springs by myself. The deep mountains in midwinter were cold, pitch black, and scary, but it seems I was in the mood for an "adventure" while feeling the night breeze.

After warming up thoroughly in the hot springs, I was cooling down my flushed body on the way back. As I crossed the parking lot, I suddenly looked up at the sky.

A starry sky like nothing I had ever seen before was spread out above me.

It was so beautiful that I felt it would be a waste to go back to my room, so I lay down right there on the asphalt of the deserted parking lot in the middle of the night and gazed at the night sky, completely absorbed.

I don't remember what I was thinking about anymore, though.

Breathtaking, as if being drawn in.

That is the only sensation I cannot forget.

I think that experience that night was my first "sense of wonder." It felt like, after all these years, a shape had finally been given to a feeling I couldn't explain until I read this book.

* * *

In the modern age, where we can feel like we "know" everything, the space to be breathless at the "something" of nature we encounter by chance may be gradually being whittled away.

"Just by changing the way you look at things ever so slightly, the world becomes dear to you."

"Sense of Wonder" was a book that reminded me of such important things.

*Bonus photos*

The birds I was taking pictures of when I couldn't find any cats on Cat Island.

~~Self-introduction~~
I usually take photos like this 😌

*Aside*

There are too many photos I took on Cat Island... It's fun, but it's tough ∑(ﾟДﾟ)

I'm putting together photos like this＿＿

If you are new here, I would be happy if you could follow me and stay tuned!

･:*+.(( °ω° ))/.:+