In the crematorium at Hofu in the far south of Japan, Shunmyo Masuno, has created a contemplative spiritual garden to assist the family of the deceased. In this space, seen by mourners immediately after the cremation, he created a metaphor for the acceptance of mortality by symbolizing the 49-day process of becoming Buddha after death. The large main garden at the entrance symbolizes aspects of the departure from life. The inorganic area at the back represents the afterlife with its far mountains, the lush organic space in the foreground represents the world, and the flowing white sand the River Styx..