The Moment That Led Me Here
After retiring from the company I had worked for over decades, I found myself deep in thought, feeling, “I had just finished a major chapter of my life.”
At a time when people were beginning to speak of living to 100, I was only 66 when I retired. I found myself wondering whether I could find a new purpose in life that would give me the same sense of responsibility and fulfillment I had found in my career.
I was struggling to find something meaningful to devote myself to in the next chapter of my life. True to my nature, I kept trying this and that, but nothing seemed to give me the sense of fulfillment I was looking for. I found myself discouraged, wondering if I would simply let time slip away without ever finding a new purpose.
Then, amid all this uncertainty, I began hearing about a young Japanese man whose remarkable achievements were captivating the world.
As I remained stuck in a life without a clear sense of direction, something began to stir within me. The achievements of this young Japanese man seemed to awaken a part of me that had been lying dormant. It was as if a voice inside me suddenly cried out,
“Hey, what are you moping around for?”
Despite playing for the Angels during years when the team struggled, he never seemed to lose heart. He kept giving his best and pursuing what he loved, and somehow, his determination woke something up in me.
That young man was, of course, Shohei Ohtani.
His love for baseball and his unwavering determination to pursue his goals awakened something in this old man. Ever since then, I kept asking myself, “I can’t just stay like this for the rest of my life. What should I devote myself to?”
I eventually came to a simple realization: just do what you feel drawn to.
Like a one-of-a-kind work of art, Ohtani creates something of irreplaceable value. Watching him make his way alone in a foreign land, far from home, I saw something of myself in that solitary runner.
As I prepared to step into a completely different world, I made my way to Angel Stadium in
Anaheim, where Ohtani had once played. I captured a photograph there as a lasting record of the experience, hoping to preserve the feeling I had while watching him play and witnessing his energy and determination firsthand.
The photograph captured the moment I was about to step into a completely new chapter of my life, a blank canvas waiting to be filled.
It holds a feeling that remains deeply meaningful to me, and I had that precious moment brought to life on canvas by an artist who is now attracting considerable attention.
When I first visited Angel Stadium, I was struck by how beautifully the entire stadium was
bathed in orange, like a field of flowers, complemented by the team's colors.
I found myself wondering how magnificent this photograph might be if an artist could bring not only its colors, but also the indescribable feeling I had at that moment, to life on canvas. That was when I came across the work of Kazuho Iwamoto. I was completely astonished by the colors, emotions, and atmosphere woven into every brushstroke.
To be honest, I was almost certain she would decline my request. By then, she was already a well-loved artist, actively exhibiting her work throughout Japan. Still, I reached out to her, and to my surprise, she warmly accepted the commission.
A few weeks ago, I finally had the chance to see the finished work. It was absolutely
breathtaking.
The sepia tones and the way she conveys emotion through her technique, something I have long admired in her work, capture the essence of the photograph beautifully. I truly believe that only Kazuho Iwamoto could have brought this work to life in this way.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to her here.
Kazuho Iwamoto
Instagram: @kazuho.iwamoto
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