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. Arcs of cut stone revolve around the black overflow basin to culminate in a granite boulder that seems to climb out of the water. The cremation chamber is at the right, behind the low window. Japan