Walking long distances with a physical sense
I love long trails, and sometimes I walk in the mountains for up to 10 days straight. Whenever I cover a distance that would normally be covered by car, train, or plane, I feel a real physical sensation. Standing at the polar opposite of technological advances, the act of long walks, which helps me regain my confidence as a living being, is the ultimate adventure for me.
"Stand by Me" is a film that captures that formative experience. The journey the boys take is like life itself. Just as they continue to take one step at a time, each day is difficult. But they also find small joys and realize the importance of their friends. It's filled with all the joys and sorrows of continuing to move forward while searching for "somewhere other than here."
Four boys set out on a 30km journey to catch a glimpse of the body. '86 USA / Director: Rob Reiner / Happinet Media Marketing / 2,619 yen (BD). ©1986 COLUMBIA PICTURES INDUSTRIES, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The novel "Lighting a Fire" taught me the horror of walking in nature. Unlike cities, where every safety net is in place, nature is merciless and cruel. It made me realize that the sense of extreme fear, which cannot be blamed on others, is a feeling that we as living beings should never forget.
A man continues to walk alone along the banks of the Yukon River in Alaska, where temperatures are below minus 50 degrees Celsius. This is the title story of a collection of nine short stories. Author: Jack London / Translated by: Motoyuki Shibata / Switch Publishing / 2,310 yen.
