(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope you have been well.

We are concerned about the effects of the approaching typhoon. Here in Maebashi, there is no strong wind today, but it has been raining continuously since last night. Just two days ago, the temperature reached 34°C (93°F), making it feel as though summer had already arrived.
Even the nemophila flowers in my garden seemed exhausted by the unexpected heat—I felt a little sorry for them.

At last, our new product is ready.

Beginning June 20, we will launch ZEN SEASONS, a new incense series that blends traditional fragrant woods with floral, fruity, and musk notes.

The seasons change quietly, without fanfare.

Inspired by that gentle transition, we created four agrances that softly accompany each season of the year.

From left to right:

Spring

A blend of sandalwood with a fruity sweetness, expressing “the subtle presence of blossoms unfolding in gentle sunlight.”

Summer

A combination of agarwood and refreshing lavender, inspired by “a cool and tranquil moment shimmering upon the water.”

Autumn

Agarwood paired with the delicate sweetness of osmanthus, evoking “the understated elegance drifting through the evening air.”

Winter

Sandalwood blended with soft musk, expressing “the warmth embraced by quietly falling snow.”

Although it may be difficult to see in the photograph, each illustration is framed with gold foil.

The design was inspired by the view of seasonal landscapes seen through the round window of a Zen temple.

The paulownia wood box measures 120 × 85 × 20 mm and contains 40 sticks of 9 cm incense, together with an incense holder.

Suggested retail price: JPY 1,650 (tax included).

To help convey the character of each scent, we even printed a haiku on the front of the package! (laugh)

Scent samples are available, so please feel free to contact us. We believe these scents turned out beautifully.

There was no May edition of the YOUYOUANG Newsletter.

I had many things I wanted to report, including my participation in the Suzu Ultra Marathon, but circumstances intervened...

On May 16, while returning from trail-running practice on Mt. Haruna, I slipped on a gravel path near the summit. This photograph was taken at the top of the mountain. The azaleas had just begun to bloom, and the mountain scenery was absolutely beautiful—but this was taken only moments before my accident.

The instant I fell, I felt a sharp pain in my right hand. Using an inner shirt and a towel as a makeshift sling, I somehow managed to descend the mountain.

However, after visiting an orthopedic clinic, I learned that I had a hairline fractur my wrist.
A cast was applied immediately.

Since my wrist has been immobilized, I have been living almost entirely with my left hand.
Whenever I accidentally try to use my right hand, it still hurts.

As a result, I have been keeping emails, smartphone use, and computer work to a minimum.
Typing is especially slow these days...

In fact, I am writing this newsletter with my left hand.
It is still slow, but perhaps I am finally getting used to it.

Even with the cast, I have continued work that is less affected by the injury—business trips, meetings, accounting tasks, and placing orders by phone.

I resumed running the following week. Because my arm is fixed in place, my running companions even commented that my running form has improved!

Perhaps this is a case of “a blessing in disguise.”

I expect to spend another week or two in the cast.
Until then, I plan to continue running on flat roads and make the most of the opportunity to improve my running form.

As for trail running, I may take the rest of this year off from it.

The weather has been as unpredictable as the beginning of the rainy season.

Please take good care of yourselves and stay healthy.