The world is full of wonderful things

Spring has arrived in Matsumoto.

The swallows were the first to announce the arrival of spring.
The morning of March 27, 2025. On my way to the station, I heard a familiar voice and looked up to see them.
The next morning, I heard the chirps of the Japanese bush warblers in the neighborhood, and realized that Matsumoto's long, cold winter was over.

Although there were some days when it snowed after that, the plum blossoms and cherry blossoms bloomed, the ground was filled with color from horsetails, violets and dandelions, and it seemed as if spring had arrived all at once, and the dogwoods also opened up, and the seasons are steadily progressing.
The birds that have begun to build nests are busy flying around every day, chatting noisily with their fellow birds.
When I hear these sounds, I feel so happy and can't help but smile, but I wonder what the birds are saying and singing.

Winter ends and the earth becomes colored with brightly colored flowers.
It was sunny and the light shining through the curtains was beautiful.
A gentle breeze coming in through an open window.
The smell is different for each season.
If we can only notice, there are many things in the world that can make us happy, delighted, and beautiful.
I feel like I want to gaze at it forever...

It seems that starlings sing songs like this.
"When you look at it this way, the world is full of wonderful things."

I had never heard of a bird called a starling before reading this picture book, but it appears to be a stylish bird with a shiny black body covered in stars.
It is said that it is rarely seen in Japan, except for a few subspecies that sometimes migrate there.
The yellow beaks stand out against the monochrome background, and the book's design has been adapted into Japanese typography, making it a wonderful addition to my collection.

The song of the starling is a hymn to the mysteries of the sun, the earth, the light, the darkness, the wind, the plants, and all life.
I think humans need to try a little harder so that we can continue to listen to love songs for the beloved world in which you and I live.

In the seasons when the pleasant breeze is blowing, why not turn down the volume of your music a little and listen to the birds singing outside your window?

Written by Octavia Walters, translated by Kaori Shiozaki - Song of the Starling

Artwork: Octavia Walters (illustration), Misato Kannami (design)
Format: Book, Hardcover
ISBN: 9784911344026
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Text and photos by Fumika Arasawa designer Freelance ⇄ company employee, occasionally helping friends out. Moved to Matsumoto in 2024. Instagram: @fumika * Click here to purchase related products at rovakk musikk.

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WALLFLOWER CATALOGUE

In each episode, designer Ayaka Arasawa will introduce one of her inspirational artworks, which will blossom on your walls every day.
It will be updated once a month, at the timing of the second solar term (around the 20th of each month).
We look forward to hearing your feedback.

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