綺麗 な (Kireina): The Parallel of Permanence and Passage, a title whispering "beautiful" and "clean," presents a breathtaking vision of spring that transcends its Japanese setting to speak in the universal language of spiritual truth. It is a masterful study in Biblical parallelism, an artistic juxtaposition that elevates the landscape into a philosophical meditation suitable for an exhibition wall.
The canvas is anchored by the mighty Mount Yotei, its perfect cone dusted with eternal snow, a silent, unshakeable sentinel against the pristine blue. This mountain serves as the Eternal Line—the steadfast symbol of permanence and stability, echoing the enduring nature of divine presence and ultimate truth found in Scripture.
In striking contrast, the foreground erupts with a cherry tree in full, fragile bloom. The sakura is the Ephemeral Line, a magnificent counterpoint whose glorious, brief life embodies mono no aware—the exquisite sadness of life’s passing. It is a delicate reminder of mortal transience, visually aligning with Biblical verses that compare human life to a swift shadow or fading flower.
Michael marries these two powerful forces—the mountain's lasting might and the blossom's fleeting grace—in perfect harmony. Kireina is not just a landscape; it is a visual poem where the natural world reflects a spiritual dialogue between the unending and the momentary, urging us to look towards the Eternal in order to cherish the fading beauty of the present.
