江戸時代に世紀の大噴火を起こした活火山、軽井沢のシンボルである浅間山を、ただ一度も見ないで後にする人は意外に多い。
富士山や槍ヶ岳とはそこが違う。でも、それがいいという気もしている。意識する森の住民にだけ山はただあり、ある時は気高く、ある時は猛々しい御姿に心で一礼し、時季と自分をチューニングする。自分がどんなにブレブレでも、何かが確かにあるという揺るぎなさと、ありがたみを見るたび感じる。

Mount Asama is the symbol of Karuizawa, an active volcano that had a once-in-a-millennia major eruption during the Edo Period (1603-1868). Still, unlike Mount Fuji or Yarigatake, it’s a surprise that many visitors never visit the mountain during their stays. That feels like one of the appeals, though. The mountain only stands in the hearts of forest residents who are aware of it. It greets their spirits in a sometimes proud and sometimes fierce manner, allowing them to be in tune with the season. No matter how unsure you become about something, seeing the mountain in all its solidity grounds you, evoking a sense of appreciation each time.