☆ A Special Question on Tour – Memories That Sparked the Song ☆
☆ A Special Question on Tour – Memories That Sparked the Song ☆
Before the song “Thank You, Shrine” was even born—back in the days before 2009—Mountain Mouth was invited on our first national tours across Japan. As a brother-sister duo, we were just beginning to discover the heart of each new place we visited.
At the start of each journey, we were often asked:
“Is there any place you’d like to visit while you’re here? Any sightseeing spots?”
My sister Maachan would always reply,
“A place with a big rock!”
And I’d say,
“A place with a big tree would make me happy!”
Everywhere we went, people generously guided us to natural wonders—and we were always shouting in amazement together:
“Woooow! That’s huge! So cool!”
“Bro! This is insane! Amazing!”
The locals loved seeing our reactions, and interestingly, we often found ourselves led… to shrines.
At the time, we couldn’t even tell the difference between shrines and temples. We had no idea that, not long after, we’d be writing a song called “Thank You, Shrine.”
☆ Big Rocks, Big Trees – And a Book That Hit My Soul ☆
Over time, more and more people began to know that Maachan and I had a soft spot for large trees and mystical stones. Around ten years ago, someone gifted me a photocopy at a local library on Suō-Ōshima Island. They said:
“Recently, this amazing traveler came through here—someone who journeys the world visiting sacred rocks and praying for happiness. This is the book about him!”
I flipped through it and my heart was struck like lightning.
“Wow… this is incredible! Thank you for sharing this!”
☆ Fast-Forward Ten Years – And a Sacred Discovery ☆
Little did I know that a decade later, I would be clearing paths in the mountains of Suō-Ōshima—and discovering a breathtaking sacred rock.
Hidden beneath bamboo, resting above a five-tiered stone terrace, near a waterfall—it looked just like an ancient ruin.
The more I cleared, the more my body shook with awe. Visions of the future—like entries from a "future diary"—began to flood my mind.
“This is wild! If we restore this place, people from all over the world—TV crews, YouTubers, artists, travelers—are going to come here! This is going to be huge!”
That vision is now slowly becoming reality.
☆ Why I Can Feel It – Twenty Years of Roots ☆
The reason I can even imagine such a future…
is because of the past 20 years spent as Mountain Mouth Mercy.
We’ve seen the sacred stones and trees of Japan,
and every one of them became a part of our heart.
But what’s truly powerful isn't my own energy.
It's the wisdom, effort, and devotion of those who came before—
those who built and protected these places over generations.
☆ May Every Sacred Place Shine Bright Again ☆
By helping restore the lands we've been connected to,
we hope more beautiful and sacred places across Japan
can begin to shine again.
Gratitude. Sunshine. Infinite Blessings.
With love from Suō-Ōshima,
Mountain Mouth Mercy, Yamaguchi Furusato Ambassador
January 22, 2021
☆ Extra Links and Inspirations ☆
☆ Kitorimoana Phrases (Kitorimoana Quotes) ☆
These are playful, soulful coined expressions inspired by nature:
Arigata-iwaa♪
Ureshii-iwaa♪
Tanoshii-iwaa♪
“This rock is totally the best!”
“It's rockin' awesome!”
“This rock holds infinite power!”
“I understand what the rock is saying!”
“It’s a rock awakening!”
“Super waterfall vibes!”
“Bamboo-lution spirit!”
“Thanks-bamboo!”
“Neck-bamboo!”
“Because of that, I am who I am now!”
“Let’s go full-on mousou (wild imagination)!”
“Mousou Imagination!”
“Bamboo Spirit!”
“Baka-peace LOVE YOU!”
“Arigatou Island!”
☆ Future Diary ☆
From these natural inspirations, new dreams were born:
Invented words from nature turned into calligraphy
Calligraphy + nature photos → LINE stamps
Calligraphy + nature photos → heartwarming photo book
Stories, songs, and even word games using coined nature terms
History × Restoration × Modern Tech × Playful Spirit
