Kunto: Invisible Influence Over Time

"There is a word called “kunto.” The original meaning is said to be when making pottery, burning incense to gradually infuse the scent into the clay while kneading it to form and fire it into the final piece. It has come to mean influencing and inspiring people with some invisible power, elevating them."

"During various occurrences at Keizuki and with Jobs himself increasingly unwell, coincidence upon coincidence brought the offer “would you like to work at Apple” to Toshi-san. To me, this appeared as a “thank you for years of kunto” from Jobs to Toshi-san."

"The relationship between Master Hiruma and Jobs goes beyond that of merely teacher and student, or even friends. After Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985, in disappointment, he appointed Master Hiruma as a “spiritual advisor” at the next company he founded, NeXT. When he married Laurene Powell in 1991, it was this Zen master who officiated at the wedding ceremony held in Yosemite. It is understandable that Zen and Japanese culture deeply influenced Jobs’ abilities and aesthetics, who was often called a genius."