秋を迎え、秘湯巡りを楽しむ

　ついに８月３１日です。今日は「二百十日」で、台風が来る頃とされ、私たちは自然の脅威に対し日頃から心の備えをしておくべきです。自然とは、それと共に恩恵もあります。その一つが私の好きな温泉です。群馬県には伊香保温泉、草津温泉、水上温泉など有名な温泉のほか、山奥には「秘湯」と呼ばれる温泉が数多く散在します。秋を迎え、これから旅のシーズンなので、山歩きをした帰路には秘湯に立ち寄り、群馬の自然を満喫したいです。

　ところで、最近の私のブログでは高齢期の健康法や生き方、そして人間の喜びと称し、比較的真面目なことのみ書くことが多く申し訳ありません。今日はちょっと驚いたことを書きたいと思います。

　一年ほど前に日帰り温泉に行って浴室に入ったら客は３人ほどいましたが、私はいつものように浴槽に浸っていたところ、何と、一人の中年の女性が男湯に入っているではありませんか。これにはびっくりです。彼女は身体を洗っており、ちょっと大きい方だったので最初は気づきませんでしたが、彼女はその後立ち上がり、私の浴槽の方へ来たので、一層びっくり、私は出るに出られず、こんなこともあるのだとばかり、その時間を過ごしてました。

　一方、現役時代に、群馬の奥山の秘湯に宿泊に行ったとき、午後１０時頃、辺りは薄暗く静まり返っていた広い露天風呂に私は一人で浸かっていた時のことです。突然２０人くらいの中年女性が集団で楽しそうにその露天風呂に入って来たのです。さあ大変。私の目の前で全員が衣服を脱ぎ始め、お湯に入って来たのです。一人で湯船に浸かっていた私は立ち上がることができず、暫し首だけ出して沈んでいましたが、そのうち身体が暑くなり過ぎて、耐えられなくなり、仕方なく少しずつお湯の中を脱衣場の方へ移動し、やっとその場を脱出できました。見慣れないこの光景は今でも脳裏に焼き付いてます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about pleasure in Gumma's hot spring and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

..........................................................

　It's finally August 31st. Today is the "Nihyakutoka" that means 210th day since the beginning of spring. As typhoons tend to arrive around this time towards Japanese archipelago since ancient time, we should always prepare for natural threats. Nature also has its benefits. One example is my favorite hot springs. In addition to famous hot springs like Ikaho, Kusatsu, and Minakami in Gumma Prefecture, there are numerous "hidden" hot springs scattered in the deep mountains. With autumn's approaching, travel season is upon us, so I'd like to stop by a hidden hot spring on my way back from a hike and fully enjoy Gumma's natural beauty.

　By the way, I apologize for recently posting relatively serious topics on Facebook, under the guise of health and lifestyle for elderly people, and the joys of humanity. But, today, I'd like to share something that surprised me.

　About a year ago, I went on a day trip to a hot spring, and while I was soaking in the bathtub as usual, I noticed a middle-aged lady in the men's bath. There were about three other customers, but I was still surprised. She was washing herself and was quite large so I didn't notice her at first, but then she stood up and came over to my bathtub, so this situation surprised me even more. I was unable to get out so that just let it go, thinking a rear view like this happen.

　Meanwhile, when I was still active period, I went to stay at a hidden hot spring deep in the mountains of Gumma. It was around 10pm and I was soaking alone in a large open-air bath, it was dim and quiet. Suddenly, a group of about middle-aged about 20 women came into the bath, this is one in million chance for me, looking very happy beyond description. What a disaster or not! They all started taking off their clothes right in front of me, and as I was alone in the bathtub, I couldn't stand up and for a while I sank with only my head sticking out, but then my body became too hot but, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I had no choice but to slowly move through the hot water towards the changing room and finally I could escape from this situation. This unfamiliar scene is still burned into my memory.

　

今秋、九さんの墓前で彼の名曲をソプラノサックスで演奏

　御巣鷹山の想いでです。今までに３回ほど一人で登りました。当時、飼育してた１０羽程のレース鳩を「昇魂之碑」の前で飛ばし、５２０名の犠牲者の冥福を祈りました。下からここまで重い鳩１５Kgほどを持って行くのが大変でした。休み休み登りました。鳩たちは自分の力で倉賀野の私の家まで飛んで帰りました。

　管理人の黒沢さん曰く「ここで鳩を飛ばした人はあなたが初めてです。」

　次回は、ソプラノサックスを持って行き、坂本九さんの墓前で、九さんの名曲「上を向いて歩こう」や「見上げてごらん夜の星を」、「明日があるさ」などを演奏する計画でいます。

Dear my Facebook frioends

　This is in memory of Mt. Osutaka in southwestern Gumma Prefecture. I have climbed the mountain alone about three times. At the time, I would fly about 10 racing pigeons I was raising, in front of the Monument to pray for the souls of the 520 victims, and it was quite a hard work to carry the heavy pigeons that is weighing about 15 kg, including the cage from the parking lot. I took breaks along the way. The pigeons flew back to my house in Kuragano-town.

　The caretaker, Mr. Kurosawa, said, "You are the first person to fly pigeons here."

　Next time, in the future I plan to bring my soprano saxophone and play some of Sakamoto Kyu's famous songs, such as "Sukiyaki," "Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi wo," and "Ashita ga Aru Sa," in front of his grave.

人に頼る気持ちを持たない・・・高齢期の生活

　８月３０日、群馬県の今朝の日の出は５時１３分でした。夏至では４時２６分だったので、日の出はすでに４７分遅くなってます。写真のハイビスカスが最後の力を振り絞って咲いてます。よく観察すると、花弁の枚数と雌しべの数が同数の５です。連日の暑さでも、水を与えると植物は生き返ります。水遣りは楽しく、私の毎日の仕事です。

　ところで、私たちにとって大切な「脳をいつまでも正常に働かせるには、毎日どのように暮らしたらよいでしょう。」私には関心の高い課題です。答えは必ずあると確信します。

　一般的に、６０才を過ぎると認知症発症の可能性が徐々に現れると言われ、その後は年齢とともに更にリスクが高まるでしょう。一方、９０才～１００才でも矍鑠たる生き方をしてる人もいるのですから、私たちはその人たちの生活習慣を見習いたいものです。

　私が考える予防法は、高齢になっても「人に何かしてもらう気持ちを持たず」、自立の精神を養う。座ったままの時間を減らし、一日に一回はしっかり手足を動かし、樹木の中で深呼吸。テレビなど受動のみの生活を避け「好きな分野で夢中になれる能動的な楽しみを持つ。」一日一回は人との交流がある生活。食べ過ぎず、よく咀嚼。バランスのとれた食事習慣。情報を得る目と耳の健康維持。自分にとって大切なことを記憶し、それを生かす。まだあるでしょうから、皆さん、お教え願います。

Dear my friends who are crazy about preventing senile dementia and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.....................................................

　This morning, August 30th, sunrise in Gumma Prefecture was at 5:13 AM. Since the summer solstice was at 4:26 AM, so that the sunrise was already 47 minutes later. The hibiscus in the photo is blooming with its final burst of energy. When I look closer it, the number of petals and pistils is equal of five. Even in the heat of the day, plants revive by watering. Watering them is a fun chore, and it's my daily routine.

　Not change the subject, but the question we all need to ask ourselves is, "How should we live each day to keep our brains functioning properly?" As I who lives alone, this is a question that interests me deeply. I'm sure there is an answer.

　Generally, the possibility of developing dementia gradually emerges after the age of 60, and the risk increases with age. On the other hand, there are people who live vigorously even 90s and 100s, so we should emulate their lifestyles.

　My idea of ​​preventative dementia measures is to cultivate an independent spirit, even in old age, without relying on others in daily life. Reduce the amount of time we spend sitting, and move our arms and legs at least once a day, and take deep breaths among the trees. Avoid a passive lifestyle such as watching TV all day long, and "have active fun that we immerse ourselves in a field we love." Interacting with others at least once a day. Don't overeat, and chew thoroughly. Have a balanced diet. Maintain healthy eyes and ears that get information. Remember what is important to us and make use of it. I'm sure there are more, so please let me know.

　

晩夏の午後を有意義に過ごす

　およそ２週間、休館してた「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」が今日から再開したので、早速、午後から愛車でドライブ方々、汗を流してきました。再開したことが未だあまり知られてないようで風呂には誰もいませんでした。

　シャワーだけとは異なり、浴槽に浸かり身体を温めると、やはり「血流が促進され」体調が良くなることを実感です。そしたら、どうしたことか元気が出て、そのまま、今度はアイス珈琲を味わいたくなって結局、喫茶「さんぽ道」へ行ったら、こちらも私一人でした。

　涼しく静かな環境で一時間ほど本を読み、ママさんとも暫し話ができて良かったです。どうやら、この二つの施設は私にとって気持ちが落ち着く生活の一部になってます。でも本心は、もう一か所、気持ちの休まる要素が欲しい。

Dear my Facebook friends

　The "Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center" reopened today after being closed for about two weeks, so I took a drive by the beloved TT this afternoon to wash off the sweat. It seems that many people don't know about the reopening yet, so that there was no customer in the bath.

　Unlike just showering, soaking in the bathtub is really warming the body and "promoting blood circulation", As the result, I felt better. Then, for some reason, I felt energized, therefore I wanted an iced coffee, so I went to the cafe "Sampo-michi," where I was also alone.

　It was nice for me to read a book for about an hour in the cool, quiet environment and chat for a while with the Mama owner. It seems that these two facilities have become a part of my calming places. But the truth is, I want one more relaxing element.

今宵が晴れることを願う・・・本当の七夕

【画像をクリックして、ご覧ください。】

　今日は８月２９日です。７月７日から５３日も経過したので「七夕」のことをすっかり忘れてしまいそうです。しかし、今宵が天体の配置として本当の七夕です。それは、天の川を挟んだ主役の２つの星【琴座のベガ・織姫星、及び、わし座のアルタイル・彦星】、及び月齢７の月【半月よりほんの少し細い月】が今宵１年に一度の丁度見やすい位置関係にあります。今日は太陰太陽暦【旧暦】で７月７日です。このため午後８時～９時頃に、月は西南に、２つの星は日本列島の頭上に来ています。

　明治５年、日本は欧米の暦に合わせるため、今までの太陰太陽暦【旧暦】から太陽暦に変更ました。ところが、文明開化のときであるのに、天文学的に気づく人が政府関係者にいなかったのでしょう。このため、庶民は現行暦の７月７日をそのまま七夕として年中行事にしてしまった大きな間違いが起こり、そのことが１５３年経過した令和７年の現在でも継承されてます。子供への天文教育として、あってはならないことが続いてます。

　今の季節に、夕食後、大空を見上げると「夏の大三角」が頭上にあります。その位置は白鳥座のデネブが稚内市上空に、琴座のベガが仙台市上空に、わし座のアルタイルがフィリピン上空にあり、いずれも１等星のため明るく光ってます。上弦の月は日に日に東へ移動しますが、今後、空が澄みつつあるので「夏の大三角」は暫くの間、観察しやすいです。

　若き日、インドに滞在してたとき私は日本の友人に手紙を送り、日本とインドは３時間半の時差があっても、同時に白鳥座のデネブを見たことがあります。星はロマンを与えます。ところで、今日、インドのモディ―首相が来日します。

Dear my friends who are crazy about astronomy and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.....................................................

　Today is August 29th. It's been 53 days since July 7th, so we tend to forget all about Tanabata which is Vega festival. However, tonight is the true Tanabata astronomically in terms of the alignment of the celestial bodies. The two main stars, Vega/Orihime in Lyra and Altair/Hikoboshi in Aquila, flanking the Milky Way, along with the seventh-day-old moon (slightly thinner than a half moon), are positioned just right for easy viewing once a year. Today is July 7th in the lunisolar calendar (old calendar). Therefore, between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, the moon will be in the southwest, and the two stars will be overhead, over the Japanese archipelago.

　In 1872, Japan switched from the lunisolar calendar (old calendar) to the solar calendar to align with Western calendars. However, even though this was a time of civilization and enlightenment, perhaps no one in the government noticed the astronomical reality. As a result, common people made the huge mistake of simply celebrating July 7th as Tanabata, making it an annual event. This mistake continues to 153 years later this day, in the 7th year of Reiwa (2025). This is a mistaking education for children about astronomy. On July 7th in the current calendar, the two stars are low in the east, and the moon's age is not seven.

　Tonight, if we look up at the sky after dinner, we'll see the "Summer Triangle" overhead. Deneb in Cygnus is located above Wakkanai-City in Hokkaido, Vega in Lyra above Sendai-City, and Altair in Aquila above the Philippines. All are first-magnitude stars, shining brightly. The waxing crescent moon moves eastward day by day, but as the sky becomes clearer, the "Summer Triangle" will be easy for us to observe for a while.

　When I was young staying in India, I sent a letter to a girl friend in Japan, despite the three-and-a-half-hour time difference between Japan and India, we simultaneously saw Deneb in Cygnus. The stars inspire romance for human. By the way, Indian Prime Minister Modi will visit Japan today.

季節が変わったことを実感・・・夕方のウォーキング

　夕刻5時過ぎから、ウォーキングに行ってきました。と言っても、散歩よりちょっと速いくらいの速度です。実は、私は現在が今までで最も体重があります。このため、歩く速さは以前より遅くなりました。コースは家から倉賀野駅の北東に広がる広い「鯉池」を一周してきました。

　今日は涼しいそよ風になり、暫くぶりに快適なウォーキングです。ご覧の通り、「鯉池」には渡り鳥が未だ１羽もいません。ここには秋から春まで鴨たちとコハクチョウが羽を休めてます。未だ、ロシアに居るのでしょう。来月から１０月には推定３～４０００ｋｍを２００羽程が飛来して来るので素晴らしいです。

　内緒ですが、今日のウォーキングは夕食が美味しくなるためです。と言うものの内心は、特に生ビールが美味しくなるためです。では乾杯！

Dear my friends

　I went for a walk just after 5pm. It was only a little faster than strolling. To be honest, I'm currently at my heaviest. Because of this, my walking speed is slower than before. My route this time was from my house to around the large Karp Pond, which stretches northeast of JR Kuragano-Station.

　Today, there was a cool breeze which was making it a pleasant walk after a long interval. As you can see, there are still no migratory birds in Karp Pond. Ducks and whooper swans live here from autumn to spring, but they must still be in Russia, I guess. It's amazing that from next month through October, around 200 birds will be flying in, by the distance an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 km.

　I won't tell you, but today's walk is to make dinner taste better. Secretly, it's really to make the draft beer taste better. Bottoms Up!

生活には一定のリズムが必要

　今日も早朝から良く晴れてます。５時にあちこちの窓を全開にし涼しい新鮮な空気に入れ替え、ブログを書いてます。夜間に鳴き続けていたコオロギやスズムシは明るくなっても鳴き続けてます。今日も日中は猛暑になる気配です。

　昨日は愛車で戸田書店へ行き、「天声人語２０２５夏号」を手にできました。９０日分なので１１月下旬まで私の教科書になります。「教育とは模倣から創造への過程である。」と昔、習ったことがありますが、当時、意味がよく分かりませんでした。しかし、日々、ブログを書いてると、先ず、日本語として正しいことが基本にあり、内容のある文章を書きたいものです。同様に、良い声になるには声がよく響く人の真似するのが手っ取り早く、こちにも真似からでしょう。

　ところで、インターネットは瞬時に世界へ流れるので、読む人に日本語として正しく通じなくてはなりません。特に、内容に一貫性あり、趣旨が伝わり、文章を通して交流したいです。

　しかし、国によっては日本語の辞書がないでしょうから、拙い英文でも同様の内容に挑戦中です。こちらは通じるかどうか、逆に私が見て戴いてます。天声人語は英文でも示されてるので、私には内外の社会情勢に接すると共に、英語表現の手本です。誠に「模倣から創造への過程」の毎日です。しかし、創造は遥かに遠く、今後も真似することが続きます。いずれにしても、天声人語を、毎日、読むことは生活にリズムを与えてくれます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about a flexible way of studying and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

..................................................

　It is a beautiful sunny day today. At 5 a.m., I opened all the windows to enter the cool, fresh air and started writing this Facebook post. The crickets and bell-ring crockets that had been chirping all night continued even after it became morning. It looks like it's going to be scorching day today.

　Yesterday, I drove TT quattro to Toda Bookstore and bought the "Tensei Jingo 2025 Summer Issue." It's a 90-day supply, so it will be my textbook until late November. I once learned that "Education is a process from imitation to creation," but I didn't really understand the meaning at that time. However, as I write on Facebook every day, I realize that correct Japanese is the foundation and I should write meaningful sentences. Similarly, the quickest way to develop a good voice is to imitate someone with a resonant voice, so I guess we should start by imitating everything, too.

　By the way, as you know, since the Internet is instantly accessible around the world, it's important that my Japanese is properly understood by readers in foreigners. In particular, the content is consistent, and in my case it is generally about "What is human's joy?" I would like to communicate through Facebook. I should convey the gist.

　However, in some countries, there are no Japanese dictionaries, so I am attempting to write similar content in my poor English. I am challenging so as to be understood by foreigners. I am taught my English expression by them. Tensei Jingo is also available in English version, so it not only keeps me in touch with social situations both Japan and abroad, but also serves for English expression. Every day is truly a "Process from imitation to creation." However, creation is still a long way off, and imitation will continue from now on. For me, reading Tensei Jingo every day in both Japanese and English has become part of the rhythm of my life.

　

植物には水を、人には愛を！

　猛暑が続く今年の夏です。私の不注意で今夏は植物たちのうち「ツツジ1本」「西洋シャクナゲ１本」を水不足で枯れてしまい反省してます。半日も暑い太陽光に直接照らされてると、特に植木鉢の植物は根の方まで水分がなくなってしまいます。

　それに反し、私は水分補給をこまめに行い、夕食に生ビールを飲み、喉を潤し、涼んでいるので申し訳ないと感じてます。でも、毎回、孤食であるが故、寂しさは人一倍です。健康管理には細心の注意を払い、新鮮な野菜の種類を多めにしてます。今の時季、オクラ、キュウリ、ナスは美味しくて欠かせません。

　がん対策としては、抗酸化作用の強いリコピン【トマトなど】やβーカロチン【ニンジンなど】のジュースを早朝時にブログを書きつつ、コップ一杯飲んでます。空腹なので身体中に浸み渡る感じです。

　しかし、日々の精神生活で大切なことは人との愛と確信します。最近は出会った方のお顔を思い出しつつ、食事をしたり、植物に水を遣ったり、ピアノを弾いたりし、その点では充実してます。健康維持に邁進すれば、いつかは良いときが来るでしょうか。

Dear my friends

　As you noticed, this summer has been scorching hot in Japan. My carelessness has also caused one azalea and one western rhododendron to wither from lack of water, so I'm feeling bad about that. Being exposed to direct hot sunlight for even half a day can easily drain water decreased to the roots, especially in potted plants.

　In contrast, I'm diligently hydrating myself ever time, and drinking draft beer at dinner to quench my thirst and cool down, so I feel bad about that. But since I always eat alone, I feel even lonelier than most. I pay close attention to my health and eat a variety of fresh vegetables. At this time of year, okra, cucumber, and eggplant are delicious and essential on the dinner table.

　To against cancer, I drink a glass of juice containing lycopene (from tomatoes, etc.) and beta-carotene (from carrots, etc.), both of which have strong antioxidant properties, early in the morning while I'm writing the weblog post. Because I'm hungry, I feel like the juice soaks up my whole body.

　However, I am convinced that the most indispensable thing in my daily spiritual life is the love. Recently, I have been remembering the face of a lady I have met. While eating, watering plants, and playing the piano, I have been feeling fulfilled. From now on, if I work hard to maintain my health, perhaps good times will come someday.

　　

年令を重ねても、心身ともに柔軟に生活したい

　８月２７日、群馬県の今日の日の出は ５時１１分、正午の太陽高度は６３°、日の入りは１８時１９分です。これを夏至に比べると昼の時間が１時間３１分も短く、太陽高度も１４°低くなってます。８月も残り５日となり、私たちを載せ公転してる地球は「水瓶座」の方向から次第に離れ、今度はインドの形にそっくりな「魚座」の方向に進んでます。秋になると空も澄みます。深夜０時に「魚座」が真南に来る日が秋分の日です。

　ところで、ほぼ毎日あれこれない頭を絞り、ブログを書いてますが、年齢を重ねると、一つの考えを守り通す傾向で、これを美徳と考えがちです。しかし、これでは「新しいアイディアが生まれ難い」と自分に言い聞かせてます。取り巻く天体や植物、気候など自然現象、そして社会状況は常に変化してます。硬い頭を打破するには、いろいろ見て回ったり、人との対話を重ね、頭を柔軟にしたいものです。

　若き日のように、時々、他国の人をホームステイで招き入れたり、私自身も一人でどこかの国に行って異質の文化に接触したいのですが、健康面を考えると無理はできなくなりました。国内の一人旅か、群馬県内をあちこち行くこと位です。人間は取り巻く環境で、ものの見方が変わります。一人暮らしで家に籠っていては、なかなか新たなアイディアが生まれません。昨日、喫茶「さんぼ道」では居合わせた方々と交流でき有益でした。週末にはまた新たな刺激を受けたい。

Dear my friends who are crazy about a reasonable way of thinking and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

..................................................

　On August 27th, today's sunrise in Gumma Prefecture where I live was at 5:11 AM, the sun's altitude at noon will be 63°, and sunset will be at 6:19 PM. Compared to the summer solstice, daylight hours are 1 hour 31 minutes shorter, and the sun's altitude will be 14° lower. With five days left in August, the Earth which with us orbits gradually moving away from the constellation Aquarius toward Pisces which is resembling the shape of India. With autumn, the skies become clearer. The autumnal equinox occurs when Pisces comes due south at midnight.

　Not change the subject, but I rack my brains almost every day to write on Facebook, but as I get older, I tend to stick to one idea, and I often think this as a virtue. However, I tell myself that this makes it difficult to generate new ideas. The celestial bodies, plants, climate, and other natural phenomena surrounding us, as well as social conditions, are constantly changing. To break down my rigid thinking, I should see things from various angles and talk to people to make my mind more flexible.

　Like in my younger days, I would like to occasionally invite people from other countries to stay with me as a homestay, and I would also like to travel to other countries alone to experience different cultures, but for my health I can no longer push myself. I can only travel alone within Japan, or visit various places in Gumma Prefecture. People's perspectives change depending on the environment they are in. It's hard to come up with new ideas if I live alone and stay at home. Yesterday, I was able to interact with ladies at the cafe "Sampo-michi," which was very beneficial. I would like to go back this weekend to get some new inspiration.

　

暫くぶりにピアノを弾いてリラックス

【画像をクリックすると臨場感が出ます。Click on the image to get a real feel.】

　午後になってから、涼みつつアイス珈琲が飲みたくなり、人との会話を楽しむため、お気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」で1時間半ほど過ごしました。写真の通り、環境は今まさに満開のサルスベリが咲き誇る晩夏です。

　最近は、暫くここでピアノを弾きませんでしたが、女性客が６名程いましたが、雰囲気として音楽が好きそうだったので、いつもの３曲【手始めにノクターン、暑いので雪が降る、そして、みちのく一人旅】弾いたところ、珍しく拍手をもらいました。

　昨年４月に開店して以来、ここには週２回の割で行ってるので、すでに１２０回ほど訪れてます。お店の雰囲気が私に合ってるのでしょう。

Dear my friends

　In the afternoon, I felt cooling off and enjoying the iced coffee, so I spent about an hour and a half at my favorite cafe, Sampo-michi, including enjoying conversation. As you can see in the photo, it was late summer, with the crape myrtles in full bloom.

　I hadn't played the piano here recently, but there were six ladies guests, and the atmosphere seemed they like listening to music, so I played my usual three pieces [Nocturne to Start, It's So Hot It's Snowing, and Michinoku Trip alone], as the result, I was received applause, not standing ovation.

　I've been here twice a week since it opened last April, so I've been there about 120 times. I guess the atmosphere of the cafe suits me.

「暑いですね」と笑いながら言う不思議

　今年は近年になく夏が暑く、しかも、いつまでも続いてます。北の地方によっては、すでに学校は２学期に入ってますが、これでは猛暑で勉強に集中できないでしょうし、通学も暑くて大変です。この現象は地球温暖化によるものと考えられても特に日本で著しいようです。諸外国の猛暑の話題はあまりニュースで伝えられてません。

　ところで、人々の会話を聞くと「今日も暑いですね。」と、その表情は概して「笑いながら」話しており、不思議なことです。逆に、真冬の寒冷時は「今日は本当に寒いね」と笑いながら話すことはなく、概して真から辛そうな表情です。

　ということは、人間とは寒いより暑い方のが未だ増しなのでしょう。今宵もインド北部のカシミール製の木彫りのジョッキーで飲みましょう。

Dear my Facebook friends

　This summer has been hotter than in recent years, and it's continuing still now. In some northern regions in Japan, school began already its second semester, but the intense heat is making it difficult to concentrate on their studies, and the commute to school will be also hot and humid beyond description. This phenomenon is thought to be caused by global warming. However, it seems particularly remarkable in Japan. The news doesn't report on the extreme heat in other countries. Mr. Spence, how is the climate in New Zealand? Oh I am sorry, it is mid winter now in your state.

　By the way, when I listen to people's conversations, they generally say like this, "It's hot again today," with a smile on their face, which is strange. Conversely, in the cold of midwinter, they don't say like, "It's really cold today," with a smile on their face. Therefore, they generally look genuinely miserable.

　Perhaps this means that humans still prefer the heat to the cold. I will drink draft beer tonight with a wooden jockey made in Kashmir, northern India. Is there a crasher to the party tonight?

伝統を守りつつ、健康的な生活を究める

　一日一日何気なく生活していても、人間の生活は同じことの繰り返しではありません。生き方はもちろん、生活様式まで徐々に異なりつつあります。写真のように、平成時代までは畳の部屋に客を迎え、お茶を飲みながら歓談したもので、これが普通でした。昔は親からも行儀よく座りなさいと、正座を躾けられたものです。しかし、令和時代になり、この部屋を利用することはなくなり、昭和時代を懐かしく思う部屋になってます。

　畳の部屋で座布団に座り、実に日本的な落ち着きはあっても客を迎える私自身が正座しなくなりました。もちろん、胡坐をかくこともしなくなりました。理由は足が長いからではありません。膝に相当の負荷が掛かり、年齢を重ねた今、足の健康に不適と考えます。人間は足から弱くなると言いますが、それは日本的な生活様式が原因してるとも言えます。

　このため、近年、この日本間は娘たちの雛人形を飾るくらいで平素の生活には利用せず、椅子に座る生活に切り替えてます。椅子ならば膝や腰への負担がなく、すぐに立ち上げれ、素早く次の行動に移れます。欧米人は昔から背が高く感じましたが、栄養の良さと共に椅子の生活だったからでしょう。最近では日本の若い人も概して背が伸びてます。これからも伝統に拘らず「身体が快適に動くための合理的な生活」を究めます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about a reasonable way of living and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

...........................................................

　Even as we continue daily lives, our lives are not a repetition of the same way. Not only our way of living, but even our lifestyles are gradually changing. As shown in the photo, until the Heisei era, it was normal to welcome guests to a tatami room and chat over tea. In the past, parents would also teach us to sit properly, teaching us to sit in seiza that means sit on the floor with knees bend. However, with the advent of the Reiwa era, this room is no longer used, and it has become a space that evokes nostalgia for the Showa era.

　Even though sitting on a zabuton cushion in a tatami room is a truly Japanese style, I no longer sit in seiza to welcome guests. Of course, I also no longer sit cross-legged. The reason is not because I have long legs. It puts a lot of strain on my knees, and as I get older, I believe it's bad for my feet's health. They say that humans become weaker from the feet, this is due to the old Japanese lifestyle.

　For this reason, in recent years I have only used this Japanese-style room to display my daughters' Hina dolls, and have switched to sitting in a chair. Chairs put no strain on our knees or hips, and we can stand up quickly and move on to the next action quickly. Generally, Westerners have always seemed taller, but this is probably due to their good nutrition and chair-based lifestyle, I guess. Recently, young people in Japan have also been getting taller overall. We will continue to pursue a "rational lifestyle that allows the body to move comfortably" without being bound by tradition.

　　

現役時代は、ずっと「いすゞ１１７クーペ」で通勤

　最近ネットでは「いすゞスポーツ」と称し、現役時代に乗っていた「いすゞ１１７クーペ」が度々登場してます。私の場合、１台目のボディーカラーは水色で丸目でした。倉賀野町から４つの職場(榛名、高商、富岡、前橋)に通勤したので走行距離は２６万キロとなり、これは月までの距離の３分の２に相当し、よく走りました。

　発売されてた期間は数年と比較的に短かったです。しかし、これだけの距離を乗ると愛着が出ましたが、ついに動かなくなり、それでも気に入ったこの車種にどうしても乗りたくて、写真の２台目は車の雑誌を見て、個人売買で長野県まで行って手に入れました。往きは電車で帰りは乗って来ました。

　好きな車に乗ると、職場への通勤が毎朝楽しくなるものです。結果的に家を出る時間が早くなり、空いてる時間帯に走るので安全面から良く、気持ちに余裕が出ます。私が考える安全運転法は、1、広い道を運転する。2、車間距離を第一とし、スピードが増すほど他車に接近しない。3、車の流れに乗る。4、信号機のない所で新たな道に出る時はしっかり待つ。5、通勤通学時間帯に乗らない。近くへは車に乗らずに歩いて行く。

　退職後、この「いすゞ１１７クーペ」にどこか通じる車を探していたところ、アウディーＴＴに出合い、現在２台目で楽しく乗ってます。欠点は助手席に乗る人がいないことです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about driving favorite car and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.................................................................

　Recently, the "Isuzu 117 Coupe" that I drove during my active career has been appearing frequently online, referred to as the "Isuzu Sport." In my case, my first car had a light blue body color and round headlights. I commuted from Kuragano-town to four workplaces of High School such as Haruna, Takasho, Tomioka, and Maebashi, therefore the mileage on this car was 260,000 kilometers, this is equivalent to two-thirds of the distance to the moon, so it was well-done.

　It was only on the market for a relatively short period of a few years. However, after driving it so far, I had a great attachment on this car, however eventually stopped working. Still, I really wanted to keep this model, so I saw the second car in a car magazine and went to Nagano Prefecture to buy it through a private sale. I took the train there and drove it back to my home.

　Because I drive the car I like, my commute to workplace becomes more enjoyable every morning, so that I end up leaving home earlier and driving through the empty road hours, which is better for safety and gave me more peace of mind. My safe driving methods are: 1. Drive on wide roads. 2. Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles is a top priority, and the faster I go, the less likely I am to get too close to other vehicles. 3. Go with the flow of traffic. 4. Wait patiently before entering a new road where there are no traffic light. 5. Don't drive during rush hour. If I go nearby, walk instead of driving.

　After I retired, I was looking for a car that was somewhat similar to this Isuzu 117 Coupe, and fortunately I came across an Audi TT. Now, It's my second car, and I'm enjoying it. However, the only shortcoming is that there's no lady to ride in the passenger seat.

　　

果たして来年実るか、成長著しいイチヂク

　１０年ほど前、東隣の土地が売りに出たので、生まれて初めて２０坪ほどの土地を買いました。今まで東の境界が斜めだったので、まっすぐにして塀を作りたかったからです。ご覧の通り、今ではお気に入りの塀が出来てます。広くなったところには枇杷、金柑(左)、梅、花桃などを植えたら、毎年、実が良く生ります。

　その後、１年半ほど前に今度はイチヂクの幼木を植えたところ、どうしたことでしょう。成長が著しく、すでに３m近くの高さになりました。実は、イチヂクの近くに愛車ＴＴの車庫があり、ご覧のように、その屋根に降った雨水を溜めてます。元々、両親が戦時中に使った防火用水が８０年経過した今、役に立ってます。このため、水遣りはすぐにでき、今夏の暑さも手伝って見る見るうちに大きくなりました。

　こんなことでも人間の私には希望が湧いてくるものです。見るからに健康そうですくすく成長してます。早くも来年には実る気配です。やはり、植物には充分な水が不可欠です。雨水なので費用はただです。今年はフェイスブック友人が枇杷や梅を捥ぎにいらして楽しい時間が過ごせました。来年は美味しいイチヂクです。梅ちゃん、お待ちしてます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about eating fig and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

....................................................

　About 10 years ago, the land next place to the east came up for sale, so for the first time in my life, I bought a plot of about 66 sq. m. The eastern boundary had been diagonal, so I wanted to straighten it out and build a fence. As you can see, I now have a favorite fence. I planted loquats, kumquats (left), plums, and flowering peach in the new area, as a result, they produced a ton of fruit every year.

　Then, about a year and a half ago, I planted a young fig tree there, and guess what? It's grown so well, it's already nearly 3 meters tall. In fact, the garage for my beloved Audi TT Quattro is located near the fig tree, so that as you can see, it collects rainwater on its roof. It was originally a fire-fighting water that my parents used during the World War Ⅱ, and now, 80 years later, it's still useful. Therefore I can water it quickly, and with the added help of this summer's heat in Japan, it's grown in no time.

　Even things like this result give me hope. It looks healthy and is growing vigorously. It looks like she'll bear fruits as early as next year. As expected, plants need plenty of water. It's rainwater, so it's free charge. This year, Facebook friend came to pick loquats and plums, so we had a great time. Next year, I'll have delicious figs. I can't wait for that day. Oh, but before that, there will be plenty of nutritious kumquats this winter. I'll be waiting for your coming.

　

秋には歩きたい旧碓氷峠のトンネル

　群馬県～長野 県間の碓氷峠のウォーキング用トンネルは、二通りあります。一つは、横川の峠の湯～めがね橋、及び、めがね橋～熊ノ平があります。トンネル内の気温は一定なので、いつ歩いても快適です。

　時折、トンネルから脱出すると秋は紅葉に癒されます。唱歌「もみじ」はここがモデルになってます。このトンネル内の特徴は以前に電車が通過してたので一貫してゆるい傾斜です。駐車場は上記の三か所にあります。涼しくなったら私は歩いてみます。帰路には峠の湯がお薦めです。

Dear friends

  There are two walking tunnels in Usui Pass between Gumma and Nagano prefectures. One is from Spar of Pass in Yokokawa to Glasses Bridge, and the other is from Glasses Bridge to Kumanodaira. The temperature inside the tunnel remains constant. It is comfortable to walk through four seasons.

  Occasionally, when we emerge from the tunnel, you'll be soothed by the autumnal tint. The song "Momiji" was inspired by this place. A distinctive feature of this tunnel is that it has a consistent gentle slope, as trains previously passed through it. Parking is available at the three locations mentioned above. I'll walk with you in heart when the weather cools down. I recommend stopping by Toge no Yu that means Spar of Pass on the way back.

平和８０年、傘寿の感慨・・・８０年目の夏

　今日の上毛新聞、読者投稿欄「ひろば」に、このブログのコメンテーター「時計屋の隣りさん」の文章が掲載されました。誠におめでとうございます。

　つきましては、群馬県外の皆様にもご紹介いたします。

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

　友人から届いた暑中見舞いに、「戦争を知らずに、傘寿まで生きられたことが、最大の喜びであり、幸せです。平和な世で一生を終わりたい。」と書かれていた。戦後８０年という節目に、この言葉の深さと重みを感じた。

　１８６８年の明治維新から１９４５年までの７７年間、日本は次の戦争を経験した。日清戦争(１８９４～９５年)、日露戦争(１９０４～０５年)、第一次世界大戦(１９１４～１８年)、日中戦争(１９３７～４５年)、太平洋戦争(１９４１～４５年)。これらは国際的な緊張関係の中で展開され、日本もその流れに巻き込まれていった側面がある。過去を振り返ることで、戦争がもたらすものは「殺戮と破壊」であると再認識できる。そして、同じ過ちを繰り返さないための知恵を得ることが大切だ。

　「平和下の傘寿」という友人の言葉は、歴史の流れを際立たせ、平和の重要性を考える視点を与えてくれる。意見が異なる人々とも冷静に話し合う姿勢を持つことは、誤解や対立を防ぐための重要な一歩だ。周りの人々を思いやり、平和について考える時間を設けることも欠かせない。

　平和は一人一人の日々の小さな行動から生まれるものだ。だからこそ、私たちは平和の価値を胸に刻み、未来に向けて行動していきたい。

晩夏から初秋へ・・・スズムシの音に魅かれる

　暑い暑いと言っても、今日はついに二十四節気の「処暑」です。庭ではハクモクレンの実がほんの少し赤くなり、すでに、スズムシが一晩中鳴き始めてます。植物や虫たちは人間より先に秋の気配を感じ取ってることが分かります。

　このように季節が変わる理由は、私たちを載せてる地球の「地軸が公転面に対して直角でなく、常に北極星側に２３．５°傾いたまま公転」しているからです。この結果、地上から見る太陽の高さが日々、少しずつ変化しています。現在の太陽は下がりつつあります。群馬県では夏至の太陽高度が頭上に近い７７°でしたが、今日８月２３日では６５°と１２°も低くなってます。因みに、４ヶ月後の１２月２２日の冬至では３０°と大分低くなります。今後は日に日に太陽が低くなります。

　ところで、私たちの地球は「現在、公転軌道上のどの辺に浮いているでしょうか。」宇宙で目安になるものは星座のみです。これは、いつも書いてる通り、黄道十二星座を見て判断します。深夜０時に真南を見れば答えが出てます。「処暑」の今夜のみならず、暫くは図が示す「水瓶座」が天の赤道に底をつけ、頭上近くの真南に出てます。北半球で見ると逆さまですが、南半球では上向きに見えます。

　私たちは毎日、目の前の事象に気を取られながら生活し、浮いてる地球上にいることを忘れがちです。現実は、満月のように暗黒の宇宙にぽっかり浮いてる地球上に生きてます。二十四節気の日や１月１日には自らを載せてる地球は、どこを公転しているか、延いては、自らの命は現在どこに浮いてるか認識したいものです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about astronomical situation of our earth and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

......................................................

　We say it's hot, but today is the beginning of the 24th solar term, "Shosho in our tongue." In my garden, the fruit of the white magnolia is turning a faint red, and the bell-ring crickets have already begun chirping all night. It's clear that plants and insects sense the signs of autumn before humans notice.

　The reason of the seasons change like this is because the axis of Earth is not at a right angle to orbital plane, but it is always tilted 23.5 degrees toward the North Star as it orbits. As a result, the height of the sun as seen from the ground changes slightly day by day. Currently the sun is lowering as seen from Japan situated in northern hemisphere. In Gumma Prefecture, as you know, the sun's altitude at the summer solstice was 77 degrees, nearly overhead. Today, on August 23rd, it is 65 degrees, which is 12 degrees lower. Incidentally, at the winter solstice, four months from now, on December 22nd, it will be significantly lower at 30 degrees. From now on, the sun will be lower with each passing day.

　By the way, where is our Earth on our orbit currently? In the space, the only guide we have is the constellations. As I always write, this can be determined by looking at the 12 zodiac constellations. The answer will be found by looking due south at midnight. Not only tonight, which is the beginning of today' Shosho, but for a while, the constellation Aquarius shown in the diagram will bottom out at the celestial equator and appear due south near overhead. When viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, it appears upside down, but in the Southern Hemisphere, it appears facing upward.

　We live in our daily lives, distracted by the events in front of us, and tend to forget that we live on a floating in the universe. In reality, we live on an Earth that floats in the dark universe like a full moon. On the days of the 24 solar terms and during the New Year holidays, we should be aware of where the Earth is currently revolving, and ultimately, where our own lives are currently floating.

　　

晩夏から初秋へ・・・スズムシの音に魅かれる

　最近は涼しさを求め、お気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」へ週2回の割で行ってます。今日の午後も３時頃から訪れたところ、偶然に知人夫妻も見えたので暫くぶりにお会いできました。ここは珍しく周囲の自然環境が抜群で気持ちが安らぐのでしょう。お気に入りとなったリピーターが多いです。

　また、今日はママさんのお父さんが籠にスズムシ１０匹ほど運んで来られ、早速鳴き始めたら天井が高いので鳴き声がよく響きます。これで益々秋の雰囲気が漂い始めてます。餌はキュウリです。それにしてもスズムシの音は落ち着きます。

　暫し読書しつつ、アイス珈琲で晩夏のひと時を過ごしました。

　Lately, I've been heading to my favorite cafe, Sampo-michi, twice a week in search of some coolness. I went there this afternoon around 3pm and happened to see a couple I know, so I was able to meet them for the first time in a while. This place is unusually surrounded by outstanding natural beauty, which must be so relaxing. It's become a favorite with many repeat customers.

　By accident, today, the mama's father brought in about 10 bell crickets in a cage, and when they started chirping, their chirps echoed loudly due to the high ceiling. The autumn atmosphere is starting to feel even more intense. They fed cucumbers. The sound of the bell crickets is truly soothing.

　I spent reading and enjoying some iced-coffee, enjoying the late summer vibes.

高齢期を自分らしく生きたい

　暑い暑いと言っても８月下旬となり、庭の植物に目をやると、何とはなしに元気がなくなって見えるのは私の気のせいでしょうか。ご覧の通り、どこからか種が飛んできて生えた野生のユリも、すべてがうつむき加減です。人間もそうですが、下を向いて歩いていては希望が持てません。前方をよく見て歩くと周囲から新たな情報が目に飛び込んで来るものです。

　ところで、私たちの生涯は大きく「三つの時代」に分けられます。一つは学校にいる時代、二つは会社など職業に就き、同時に子育ての時代です。三つ目は６０才前後から始まる退職後の時代で、この頃から子供の独立など徐々に家族の形態が違ってきます。学生時代と職業人のときは、目的を持って日々精進しようと心掛け、それなりに成果もあったものです。

　しかし、人生１００年時代の今、退職後の３０年～４０年という長い時間は、意外と目的なしに過ごしてしまいがちで、もしそうなら、こんなもったいないことはありません。この時代を有効利用し、今まで出来なかった分野について「これを徹底して磨きたいなど」、本来自ら興味関心ある分野について精進すれば、理想の日々が連続するでしょう。

　という私は、退職後まもなく配偶者に旅立たれるとは予想外でした。彼女は仕事と家庭を両立し、城東小の教頭、城山小の校長でした。それと共に仲の良かった友人３人とも永遠の別れがあり、私にとってこれが現実の人生です。しかし、どんな状況に成ろうとも健康維持の基盤に立ち、過去に何をしたかでなく、肝心なことは、今何に夢中で忙しいかです。私の場合は群馬の自然を見て回ること、新たな人との出会いが楽しみです。もう出会ったようです。

【文が長いので2段目から英文にしました。】

Dear my friends who are crazy about encounter with human and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

........................................................

　Our long lives can be broadly divided into three periods. The first is school age, the second is working at a company while raising children. The third period is after retirement, which begins around age 60. From this period, family structures gradually change such as children become independent. During my student and professional years, I strived to work hard every day with a purpose in mind, and I often achieved some success.

　However, in this era of 100-year lifespans, it's surprisingly easy to spend the long 30 to 40 years after retirement aimlessly. If this happens, what a real waste! If we make effective use of this time and devote ourselves to areas we've never been able to do before, such as "I want to thoroughly hone this," or to areas that we're naturally interested in, we'll have a string of ideal days.

　As for me, my spouse passed away shortly after I retired. She balanced work and family life, serving as vice principal at Joto Elementary School and principal at Shiroyama Elementary School in Takasaki-City. At the same time, I had to say goodbye forever to three of my close friends, and for me, this is the reality of my life. However, no matter what the severe situation, it is important to maintain our health, and what matters most is not what we did in the past, but what we are passionate about and busy now. In my case, I am looking forward to exploring Gumma's natural beauty and meeting new people, especially lady. I feel like I have already met her.

日本の良さをしみじみ感じ、高齢期を生きる

　石油が発掘できないことから、私たちは「日本は資源のない国」と考えがちです。私はブログに毎回、写真を載せてますが、今までの写真を見返してみると、意識して撮ったわけではないのに殆どの写真に樹木が映ってます。

　これは日本には豊かな水があるからでしょう。冬に太陽があまり出ない北欧の国からみると日本は太陽光が降り注ぎ、光合成が盛んに行われて樹木がたくさん生育します。砂漠の国からみると日本は植物が育つ土が豊富であり、羨ましいかもしれません。内陸国から見れば、日本は周囲が海のため漁業が盛んな大資源国と思うでしょう。

　殊のほか、お刺身が好きな私は、少量の醤油で食すると日本に生まれて本当に良かったとつくづく感じてます。2週間に一度程度高崎の街に夕食に出ますが、必ずお刺身を注文します。拙い体験ではインドや内モンゴルでは刺身を食べる習慣はなく、最高の調味料である日本の醤油がありません。日本では水がすぐ飲めますが、暑いインドで直接水を飲むと下痢します。このため必ずボイルしてからです。

　緑いっぱいの自然に囲まれてる日本に資源がないどころか、日本は世界有数の資源国です。それをどう生かすか、「独創的な発想こそ日本人の腕の見せどころ」です。資源もさることながら、私は半年前に「笑いヨガ」を通じで素晴らしい方と巡り合い、心身ともに健康を求めていると良いことがあるものです。一人で生活してても「人間の喜び」を追い求めます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about encounter with human and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.........................................

　Because Japan cannot produce petroleum, we tend to think of Japan as a resource-poor country. I always post many photos on Facebook, but, when I look back at my photos, I see trees in most of them, even though I didn't intentionally take them.

　This is probably because Japan has an abundance of water. From the perspective of Northern European countries, where the sun doesn't shine much in the winter, Japan is bathed in sunlight, allowing photosynthesis to flourish and resulting in the growth of many trees. From the perspective of desert countries, Japan may be envied for its abundant soil, where plants can grow. From the perspective of landlocked countries, Japan is surrounded by sea, so that they may think it is a resource-rich country with a thriving fishing industry.

　I particularly love sashimi which is sliced raw fish, when I eat it with a little soy sauce, I feel truly grateful to have been born in Japan. I go to downtown of Takasaki for dinner about once every two weeks, at that time, I always order sashimi. In my limited experience, eating sashimi is not a custom in India or Inner Mongolia, and Japanese soy sauce couldn't find, the ultimate seasoning is not available there. In Japan, water is readily available for drinking, but in hot India, drinking water straight gives us diarrhea. For this reason, I always boiled it first.

　Far from lacking natural resources, Japan is actually one of the world's leading resource-rich countries. How to make these resources is the Japanese people's creative thinking shines. Aside from resources, I met a wonderful lady through laughter yoga last December, and I've learned that good things happen when we pursue physical and mental health. Even if I live alone, I should still pursue human's real joy.

　

会えなかった祖父母に思いを馳せつつウォーキング

　推定、明治２０年ころ、栃木に嫁に行った私の祖母が一旦故郷・原道村に戻り、近くに住んでた私の祖父と利根川の岸から夜逃げ同然に江戸からの運搬船に乗り込み、遠く離れ、知ってる人のいない倉賀野河岸で下船し、生活を始めたことを先日書きました。

　このため、私の命があるのは祖父祖母の大胆な行動のお陰です。

　写真の看板は土手の上にあり、この界隈一帯は私のウォーキングコースでもある倉賀野河岸跡です。今日もこれから夕食前に、私が生まれた時はすでにこの世にいなかった祖父祖母に思いを馳せて歩きます。

　I recently wrote about that presumably around 1887, my grandmother who had married and moved to Tochigi Prefecture, returned to Haramichi-Village which is her homeland and, together with my grandfather, who lived nearby, practically fled in the middle of the night from the banks of the Tone River, by boarding a transport ship from Edo. They disembarked at Kuragano-Riverbank, far away and unknown to anyone, and began their lives at Kuragano.

　As a result, my life exists thanks to bold actions of my grandparents.

　The sign in the photo is the area of old Kuragano-Riverbank, which is one of the routes of my walking course. This evening, I will walk with thinking about my grandparents who were in Heaven when I was born.

純粋だった少年時代

　８月２０日、今日の日の出は ５時０５分、太陽高度は６６°、日の入りは１８時２８分です。夏至と比較すると正午の太陽は１１°も低くなり、昼の時間は１時間１６分短くなります。今の季節、庭のあちこちに「びっくり草」が、その名の通り、何もなかった所に急に芽が出て咲くので驚きます。６０年ほど前、亡父が植えたもので球根のため毎年咲き、咲くたびに花が好きだった父を思い出します。

　ところで、今宵は東隣の岩鼻のお祭りです。昔からたくさんの花火が上がり賑わいます。私は幼児の頃から岩鼻に縁があり、当時は倉賀野に保育園や幼稚園がなかったので岩鼻の保育園までバスで通いました。今思うと両親に感謝です。

　小学生のとき、母に小遣いをもらい、岩鼻のお祭りに往きは上信バスで行きましたが、夜店でスイカを買ったら帰りのバス賃がなくなり、暗い夜道を重たいスイカを抱えて倉賀野の家まで４kmほどてくてく歩いて帰ってきたことがあります。「美味しいスイカを家族と一緒に食べよう」と、私にも純粋なときがあったのです。

　そう言えば、一人暮らしのため、最近はスイカを食べてません。スーパーで切り売りもありますが、スイカは家で切って、皆で楽しく食べたいものです。今度、来客があるときは前もって用意し、目の前で切って一緒に食べたいです。若き日、インドでもスイカをよく食べました。インドの人はスイカのことをタルボジャと言ってました。

Dear my friends who are crazy about big fireworks, watermelon and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

......................................................

　Today, August 20th, sunrise is at 5:05am, the sun's altitude is 66°, and sunset will be at 6:28pm. Compared to the summer solstice, the sun's angle will be 11° lower at noon, as the result, daylight hour will be 1 hour and 16 minutes shorter. At this season, "Surprise plants" are popping up all over the garden, and it suggests name, they are surprising as they suddenly sprout and bloom where nothing before. My late father planted them about 60 years ago, they are bulbs, so that they bloom every year, and every time they bloom I am reminded of my father who loves flowers.

　Not change the subject, but tonight is the festival at Iwahana, just to the east town. Since long ago, the area has been bustling with fireworks. I have had a connection to Iwahana since I was a toddler, since there were no nurseries or kindergartens in my Kuragano-town at that time, I would take the bus to Iwahana nursery school. Looking back, I am grateful to my parents.

　When I was in elementary school, I received some pocket money from my mother and took the Joshin Bus to the Iwahana-Festival, and I bought a big watermelon at a night market and didn't have enough money for the bus fare back, so I ended up walking 4km to my house in Kuragano-town, carrying the heavy watermelon along a dark road alone at night. There was a time when I was so innocent so as to eat delicious watermelon with my family."

　Come to think of it, I haven't eaten watermelon recently because I live alone. Supermarkets sell it by the slice, but I like to cut it at home and enjoy eating it together. Next time when I have guests, I'd like to prepare it in advance, and cut it in front of them, and eat it together. When I was younger, I also ate watermelon in India. Indians call watermelon talboja.

　　

人間も愛車も常に調子を整える

　最近、愛車に乗るチャンスがありませんでした。というのは、いつもよく行く喫茶「さんぽ道」が１０日間ほどお盆休みでした。また、お気に入り日帰り温泉「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」が臨時休業となり、８月いっぱい行けません。

　しかし、愛車を常に調子よく維持しなくてはならず、午後には国道旧１７号から倉賀野バイパスを一周してきます。途中、もしかして、今日から喫茶「さんぽ道」が開いていたらアイスコーヒーを飲みつつ、涼んできます。

　写真は満開のサルスベリとツーショットのＴＴです。大きなサルスベリを観賞したい方は、未だしばらく咲いてるので見にいらして下さい。

Dear my friends who like flowers of crape myrtle.

　I haven't had a chance to drive my beloved car recently. That's because my usual go-to cafe, Sampo-michi, was closed for about 10 days due to the Obon holidays. Also, my favorite day-trip hot spring, Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center, is temporarily closed, so I won't be able to go for the rest of August.

　However, I have to keep my car in good condition, so in the afternoon today I'll drive around the Kuragano-Bypass from old National Route 17. If Cafe Sampo-michi is open on the way, I'll cool off with an iced coffee about one hour.

　　The photo shows TT and a crape myrtle in full bloom. If you'd like to see the large crape myrtle, she'll still be in bloom for a while, so please come and see her and chat with listening to piano played by me.

  P.S・・・ As planned, I passed through the Kuragano-Bypass by my Audi-TT and stopped off at the cafe "Sampo-michi" for the first time in 10 days to cool off for about an hour. To my surprise, the mama and ladies they looked very cheerful, as they had been abroad together during the Obon holidays. I realized that sometimes, big change is very important in human's lives, as they work hard every day.

ハクモクレンに珍しいものが生ってます。

　「さあ、何でしょう」と皆さんにお尋ねしたいです。最近、気づいたのですが、庭のハクモクレンに、ご覧の通り、ちょっとグロテスクな形をした長さ１０ｃｍほどのものが生り始めてます。その数は数個です。最近、この樹木が大きくなり始めたので枝を剪定しました。その後に出てきたのです。こんなものを見たのはこのハクモクレンを植えて以来初めてです。

　実は、昨日の夕方、家の前をウォーキング中に近所の人に「これは何でしょう」と尋ねられ、私はその存在にすでに気付いてましたが、写真を撮っておきました。

　調べてみたところ、これは珍しい「春待芽」というものらしいです。決して綺麗とは言えませんが、珍しいもので、これから秋になると次第に赤くなるらしいです。確かに、表面にほんの少し赤味がかかってます。まだ確実なことは分かりませんが、これはハクモクレンの「種」になるようです。これから毎日、変化の様子を観察します。もし種であったら、蒔いてみます。

　このハクモクレンは３０年ほど前に埼玉県花園で幼木のとき購入しました。今では幹の直径１５cmほどに成長してます。私は朝この幹で上半身を鍛えるために「テッポー」をしてました。開花時期は３月下旬で、学校や職場では年度が替わることから「別れを惜しむ白い花」です。これからも庭木として大切に育てます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about strange appearance of plant and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.....................................................

　I'd like to ask everyone, "What is this?" As you can see, I recently noticed this grotesque-shaped thing, about 10cm long, to grow on the white magnolia in my garden. There are only a few of them. Recently, the tree started to get big, so I pruned the branches. They appeared after that. This is the first time I've seen something like this since I planted it.

　Actually, yesterday evening, while walking in front of my garden, a neighbor asked me, "What is this?" Although I had already noticed it, I took a picture.

　After researching, I found out that this is a rare "spring bud." It's not exactly pretty, but it's rare and is said to gradually turn red as autumn approaches. There is definitely a slight reddish tinge on the surface. I'm not sure yet, but I think these will become "seeds" of white magnolia. From now on, I'll keep an eye on them every day, and if they turn out to be seeds, I'll plant them.

　I bought this white magnolia tree about 30 years ago when it was a young tree in Hanazono-town, Saitama Prefecture. The trunk has now grown to about 15cm in diameter. So every morning I used to do "teppō" (push up exercise) on this trunk to strengthen my upper body. As you know, it blooms in late March, which marks the start of the new school year at school and company, so it is a "white flower that symbolizes sad farewells." I will continue to care for it as a garden tree.

　　

夕食前、家の前の道を１０往復ウォーキング

　ほんの少し涼しくなる午後６時から、家の前の道を１０往復ウォーキングします。道の長さは丁度５０mなので合計１０００mです。歩いていると何か見たり、人と会ったり、何か考えたりして歩いた回数を忘れがちなので、写真の通り、塀の上に石を置いて一往復する度に石を隣に動かします。

　目標は万人の願いと共通で、いつまでも元気に歩けることです。散歩より速めに歩きたいので今日はちょっとストライドを広げるつもりです。足は長い方なので【これが言いたいのではありません。】快適な速度になります。ご褒美はその後の生ビールです。おつまみはすでに用意してあります。では、これから歩きます。

Dear my sweetheart in my heart

　Starting at 6pm Japan time, when it's just a little cooler, I'll walk 10 times up and down the path in front of my garden. The path is exactly 50m long, so the total is 1000m. As I walk, I tend to forget how many times I've walked because I see something, meet someone, or think about something, so as you can see in the photo, I place a small stone on the fence and move it next after one walk.

　My purpose is the same as everyone to be able to walk healthily forever. I will walk faster than a stroll, so I'm going to increase my stride a bit today. As you know, I have long legs, so [that's not what I want to say] I'll be able to walk at a comfortable pace. My reward will be a draft beer afterwards. Snacks have already been prepared. All I'm missing is that you aren't in front of me. Well, I'll start walking now.

暑くても、季節は徐々に秋へ向かってる

【庭で咲くびっくり草・・・急に芽が出て咲くので驚きます。】

　連日の猛暑で、今年ほど水分補給してる夏はありません。同時に今年ほど汗をかいてる夏もありません。就寝中も汗をかいてます。考えてみると、汗は私たちの体温を常に３６°に保つ働きと共に、老廃物を排出することで大切な新陳代謝です。その後、冷たいタオルで拭いたり、シャワーしたり、風呂に入ると 気持ちがスッキリします。発汗は健康維持の自然な作用と考えられます。

　ところで、体力増強と自然との触れ合いを目的に、私は赤城大沼一周ウォーキングと谷川岳天神平、天神峠行は涼しくなってからに予定してます。現在は暑さの他に、ニュースによると各地で熊による人的被害が報告され、どこに熊がいるか分からない時代です。突然、生涯で初めて熊に遭遇するので驚きますが、落ち着きが大切で、可能ならばフライパンの裏を硬い棒で叩くなどすると高い強い音に驚いて熊が退散するかもしれません。

　以前に、私の友人アルカディアさんが群馬県の榛名山中で熊に遭遇しました。ここは観光地です。彼は逃げる途中、足を骨折してしまい、それでも「命のため逃げなくてはならなかった」と話されてます。特に子熊を見たら要注意で、近くにいる親熊が子熊を守ろうとするからです。

　今日も猛暑が予想され、日中は不要な外出を避けましょう。それでも、今朝、ラジオ体操会は木陰で行ったので、涼しい風が感じられとても快適でした。暑くても季節は徐々に秋へ向かってます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about how to deal with a sudden bear encounter and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.......................................................

　Day after day, due to continuing scorching heat, I've never been more hydrated this summer than ever. At the same time, I've never been more sweaty this summer. I even sweat while I sleep. If I think about it, sweating not only keeps our body temperature at a constant 36° Celsius, but is also an important metabolism that expels waste products. Afterwards, wiping myself with a cold towel, showering, or taking a bath will leave us feeling refreshed. Sweating can be considered a natural process for maintaining our health.

　By the way, with the purpose of improving my physical strength and appreciating nature, I plan to walk around Lake Onuma at Mt. Akagi, and hike to Tenjindaira and Tenjin Pass when the climate cools down. In addition to the heat, the news reports that bear-related injuries in various places in Japan, and we live in an age where bears might appear everywhere. It's surprising for us to suddenly encounter a bear for the first time in our life, but it's important to remain calm. If possible, try hitting the back of a frying pan with a hard stick, the high-pitched, loud noise may scare the bear away.

　My friend Mr. Arcadia recently encountered a bear in Haruna mountains in Gumma Prefecture. As you know, this is a tourist spot. He broke his leg while fleeing, but said he still "had to run for his life." Be especially careful if we see a bear cub, as a nearby mother bear will try to protect it.

　Extreme heat is predicted today, too, so please avoid unnecessary outings during the day. However, this morning's radio gymnastics held in the park was in the shade, so the cool breeze was very pleasant. Even though it's hot in daytime, the season is gradually turning towards autumn.

　　

原道村から船で倉賀野河岸まで来た祖父母

【写真は祖父母が辿り着いた現在の倉賀野河岸跡です。】

　昨日、私の母が生前に話した「自身の結婚の由来」について書きました。それは父と母の家は２００mほどの距離にあっことから、母は父の母(つね)に見初められ、息子(私の父)との結婚についてお百度参りされたことから、母は「私はお婆さんにもらわれてきた」と私に言ってました。

　私が生まれた時点で４人の祖父母はすでに他界しており、生涯会うことができませんでした。４人とも江戸時代の安政年間に誕生したのです。しかし、この４人の先祖のお陰で私は現在この世に生を授かってます。

　４０年ほど前に他界した両親の生前の説明によると、父方の祖父(関吉)と祖母(つね)の生まれは互いに４００メートル位の比較的近いところで、子供の頃からそこに住んでいました。場所は「原道村」といい、現在の埼玉県大利根町です。二軒の家ともすぐ裏に利根川が流れていて当時は江戸と上州(今の群馬県)倉賀野を結ぶ運搬船の往来で賑わってました。

　推定、明治の15年前後に祖母も適齢期となり、昔ですから自分の意思でなく、栃木県(利根川を挟んだ対岸)に嫁ぎ、子供が生まれましたが、しばらくして何とその子供を嫁ぎ先に置いてきて、以前から自分の心の人である私の祖父と再会し、近所の村人に見つからないよう二人で隠れて裏の利根川に行き、江戸から来た運搬船に乗せてもらって着の身着のままの姿で船頭に最も遠くまでの乗船を頼み、原道村から７０キロほど上流に進み、ついに誰も知ってる人のいない倉賀野河岸に辿り着いたのです。

　栃木に残してきた子供のことが心配であっても、当時の安宿に仮住まいし、【好きな人と一緒になれた情熱】がエネルギーとなって仕事に精を出し、ついに、忘れられない生まれ故郷の名をとって「原道屋」という金物屋を始めたのです。祖母はしばらくしてから栃木に置いてきた「忘れられない子供」と涙の再会をしたとのことですが、大変な心境であったろうと推測してます。

　このようなことから倉賀野で生まれた私の父は「原道屋」を引継ぎ、私はこのお店の子供として生まれました。

　近年、私は祖父母の生まれ故郷である埼玉県原道村に行ってみました。驚いたことに現在でも原道という地名が残っています。それは「原道小学校」や「原道農協」の看板を見て「遠い昔、祖父母が青春を過ごした地」を実感できて感慨無量でした。小学校に行き事情を説明したところ、先生方が卒業者名簿を見せてくださいました。しかし、祖父母の名はありません。安政から明治の初めは時代が古くて寺子屋時代と思われ、原道小学校は開校以前でした。

【長文なので英訳は３段目～６段目のみです。】

Dear my friends who are crazy about the history of family and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

...........................................................

　According to my parents, who passed away around 40 years ago, my paternal grandfather (Sekikishi) and grandmother (Tsune) lived relatively close to each other, about 400 meters away, and they had lived there since they were children. Their place was called "Haramichi-Village," where is now Ohtone-Town, Saitama Prefecture. The Tone River flows just behind their houses, and at the time it was a bustling area with transport ships traveling between Edo (now Tokyo) and Kuragano in Joshu (now Gumma Prefecture).

　I estimate that my grandmother reached marriageable age around 1882, as it was long ago, against her real will, she married into a family in Tochigi Prefecture (across the Tone River). She had a child, but after a while she left her child behind in her new home and reunited with my grandfather named Kakinuma who was the man of her heart. The two of them hid from the local villagers and went to the Tone River behind their house. They got on a transport ship from Edo and, wearing only the clothes they were wearing, asked the boatman to take them as far as they could go. They sailed about 70 kilometers upstream from their native Haramichi-Village, finally arrived at the Kuragano-Riverbank, where they knew no one.

　Although she was worried about the child she had left behind in Tochigi Prefecture, they temporarily lived in a cheap lodging at the time, and their passion for being with the person each other then they worked hard. At last they eventually opened a hardware store called "Haramichiya," named after their unforgettable name of hometown. It's said that later, my grandmother had a tearful reunion with the "unforgettable child" she had left behind in Tochigi, so that I imagine she must have been in a very difficult emotional state.

　For this reason, my father was born in Kuragano-town, took over Haramichiya, and I was born as a child of this shop.

隔世遺伝が蘇るか。

　送り盆として、夕方になってから歩いて７分程の菩提寺(九品寺)に行きました。ここには私が生まれる前に亡くなっていた父の両親(関吉、つね)、そして両親と妻が眠ってます。墓地には誰もいませんでした。枯れ始めた花を取り去り、きれいにしてからお線香を供え拝みました。

　母は生前、熱心なお婆さん(つね)の「ぜひ家に嫁に来てください。」というお百度参りでこの家に嫁に来た。と言ってたことを思い出しました。こう考えと、私の命があるのも、つねお婆さんが「私の母を気に入ってた強い意志」のお陰と思いました。私もつねお婆さんの血を受け継いでるので頑張ります。

　As a farewell visiting to the grave in Obon, I walked to my family temple (Kuhonji Temple), about a seven-minute walk away in the evening. My paternal parents (name are Sekikichi and Tsune), who passed away before I was born. And my parents and wife are buried here. There was no one in the cemetery. I removed the withering flowers, cleaned up the area, and then offered incense and prayed.

　In front the grave, I remembered that my mother had said, "I came to marry into this family because my enthusiastic grandmother (Tsune) made a hundred-step pilgrimage and said, Please marry into our family." Thinking about this, I realized that I am still alive thanks to Grandma Tsune's strong will. I have inherited my grandmother's blood as atavism, so I will do my best.

孤独感は自ら解決するしかない

　８月１６日、今日の群馬県の日の出は５時０２分、太陽高度は６７°、日の入りは１８時３３分で、昼の長さは１３時間３１分です。因みに夏至では昼の長さは１４時間３９分だったので、すでに１時間０８分も短くなってます。殊のほか猛暑の今夏でしたが、庭ではすでにツクツクボウシが鳴き、夜間にはスズムシが鳴き通してます。

　ところで、８月１３日から４日間、家に帰って来ていた先祖たちは８月１６日の今日、送り盆として菩提寺に帰ります。今宵、倉賀野町では昔から江戸と日光への分岐点、つまり追分に位置する下町では「閻魔堂」の祭りが賑やかに行われます。

　お盆のため、長女家族が実家である私の家で過ごしており、昨日の夕方は、秋田犬２頭の散歩に鏑川の土手まで私もお供し、幾分か涼しくなった逝く夏を感じました。写真のようにトンボが飛びかってます。自然界はすでに秋の気配です。平素一人の私は、改めて家族と一緒に過ごすと夕食も美味しく、つい飲み過ぎましたが、昨夜は暫くぶりに充実した時間が持てました。

　近年、高齢者は子供と同居しない人が増えてます。配偶者と死別した高齢者が孤独感を解決する方法は、先ず「人に頼らず」一人でも強く楽しく生きる精神力が基本と考えます。それには趣味など自ら生きる幅を広げてこそ解決に繋がるでしょう。孤独感とは根本的に自分自身で解決するしかありません。次第に友人もいなくなるので「一人で自由に遊べる習慣」を持っていることです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the pleasant way of life and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

...............................................................

　On August 16th today in Gumma Prefecture situated in the central Japan, sunrise is at 5:02am, the sun's altitude at noon is 67°, and sunset will be at 6:33pm, therefore the length of daylight is 13 hours and 31 minutes. Incidentally, the length of daylight at the summer solstice was 14 hours and 39 minutes, so it has already shortened by 1 hour and 8 minutes. This summer has been particularly hot in Japan, but tsukutsuku cicadas are already chirping in my garden, and crickets are chirping throughout the night.

　By the way, our ancestors who have been visiting our homes for four days since August 13th, will return to their temple today, August 16th. Tonight, in Kuragano-town, at Shimo-cho located in Oiwake, which has been the crossroads between Edo of ancient Tokyo and Nikko, a lively festival is will be held at Enma-do.

　Due to the Obon holiday, my eldest daughter and her family were staying at my home, and yesterday evening I accompanied them on a walk with their two Akita dogs to the bank of the Kabura River, feeling the somewhat cooler weather and the passing of summer. Dragonflies were flying about, as you can see in the photo. Autumn is already in the air in nature. I'm usually alone, but spending time with my daughter again made dinner delicious, so I ended up drinking too much, but last night I was able to spend pleasant quality time after a long interval.

　In recent years, as you know, an increasing number of elderly people are no longer living with their children. I believe that the key to overcoming loneliness for elderly people who have lost their spouse is to first develop the mental strength to live strong and enjoyable lives by their own, without relying on others. The only way to overcome this lonely situation is to broaden the scope of their lives, including by taking up hobbies. The only way to fundamentally overcome loneliness is to do it ourselves As we gradually lose friends, it's indispensable to develop the habit of playing freely by our own.

　

新たな喫茶を開拓しました。But～

　午後、新たな刺激を求め、初めての喫茶店に行きました。名前の通り、広大な農地の中で静かな自然環境にあります。中心は昼食のようです。そのため、私が訪れた2時半頃は客が帰った後のようで私一人でした。

　実は、いつも行く喫茶「さんぽ道」がお盆休暇なので、その代わりに行きました。感想としては一人で行くところではないと直感しました。女性が４人程で働いてましたが、肝心な表情や笑顔に乏しく、少々寂しく感じました。

　In the afternoon today, looking for some new excitement, I went to a new coffee shop for the first time. As the name suggests, it is located in a quiet environment amidst vast farmland. It seems to be mainly a lunch spot. When I visited around 2:30pm, it seemed the customers had already left and I was the only one there.

　Actually, my usual coffee shop, Sampo-michi, was closed for the Obon holiday, so I went there instead. My first impression was that it was not a place to go alone. There were about four women working there, but they lacked the important expressions and smiles so that I felt a little lonely.

後に引けない状況に自らを置く・・・継続について

　外国語や楽器など、物事を始めるのは比較的簡単ですが、難しいのは「それを続けること」です。「三日坊主」とはよく言ったもので、その分かれ目は、そのこと自体が自分の生活に「どうしても必要であるかどうか」でしょう。私が若き日に「三日坊主」になったのはロシア語、フランス語で長続きしませんでした。

　ところが、中国語については、ある日、内モンゴルから手紙が届き、その内容は「日本から飛んで来たあなたの鳩を保護してます。」というもので、私の家で生まれた鳩がそちらに飛んで行ったことが分かり、国と国とのことで無視できず、現地へ一人でその鳩に会いに行くことになりました。このため、渡航前に近所の中国の人に、生活に必要な中国語を集中して教わりました。

　「三日坊主」にならないためには、つまり、続けるには自分で「後には引けない状況」を作り、そこに我が身を置く意外にないかもしれません。その点、瞬時に世界へ伝わるフェイスブックやブログのお陰で、もう後には引けない状況となり、英語は続けてます。このため、日々「このことを英語で何と言うか」という点に絞って追究してます。ブログは２００７年に始め、今後も続けるつもりです。

　一方、子供たちの挑戦については、少しでも良かったら「必ず褒めるてやること」と思います。近所にピアノを習ってる小学生がいます。そばを通ると聞こえるので、私は彼女に会うたびに感想を言ってます。私は１７才からピアノを始めたので、その点、若き彼女が羨ましくもあります。すでにピアノに喜びを見出してる感じで、こうなればもう大丈夫です。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the effective way of studying foreign language and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

......................................................

　It's relatively easy to start something new, such as studying a foreign language or playing an instrument, but the difficult part is to continue it. The saying goes "A human gives up after three days," The continuing factor whether or not the thing itself is "absolutely necessary" to our life. When I was younger, I gave up on Russian and French, I didn't stick with them for long.

　However, when it came to Chinese, one day I received a letter from Inner Mongolia that said, "We're protecting your pigeon, which flew over from Japan." I realized that a young pigeon born in my loft had flown there. Since it was a matter of two countries, I couldn't ignore it, so I decided to go there alone to meet my pigeon. For this reason, before I left Japan, I intensively learned the Chinese which I needed for daily life under a Chinese neighbor.

　To avoid giving up after three days, in other words, to keep going, perhaps the only way to avoid giving up after three days is to create a situation which we can't back out and put ourselves in that situation. In that regard, thanks to Facebook and blog which instantly spread information around the world, I was able to find a situation from which I couldn't back out, so that I continued with English. For this reason, I spend every day researching how to say this Japanese in English. I started the blog in 2007 and plan to continue it from now on.

　On the other hand, when it comes to children's challenges, I always make sure to praise them when they do even the slightest bit well. There is an elementary school student in my neighborhood who is learning the piano. I can listen to her playing when I pass by, so I tell her my impression of her every time when I see her. I started playing the piano when I was 17, so in that respect, I envy her for being so young. It seems like she's already finding joy in the piano playing, in her situation, she'll be fine.

　

「みっけもん」・・・「しゃいなし」に匹敵する群馬の方言

　今日は日帰り温泉「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」で汗を流し、さっぱりした後、帰路に藤岡市本動堂(もとゆるぎどう)の農協スーパー「みっけもん」に立ち寄りました。ここは藤岡市と言っても、山名に近いので私の倉賀野からも近くです。

　前述の通り、その名が群馬の方言で「みっけもん」(意味は良いものを見つけて得した)と言うだけあって、近くの生産者が作ったものが多く「新鮮で安い」です。私はオクラ、茄子、小松菜2束など野菜を購入してきました。物価高騰の折、安いと心も軽くなるものです。「みっけもん」には時々行ってみます。肝心のお風呂はがらがらでした。

Dear my friends

　Today, I was sweating it out at the day-trip hot spa "Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center and feeling refreshed. After that "I stopped by the agricultural cooperative supermarket named "Mikkemon" in Motoyurugi-do, in Fujioka City on my way home. Although it's in Fujioka City, it's close to Yamana, therefore close to my home town of Kuragano.

　As I mentioned above, the name "Mikkemon" (meaning "find something good and get a bargain") in Gumma's dialect I guess, and as the store's name suggests, many of the products are fresh and inexpensive, which are produced by local producers. I bought vegetables such as okras, eggplants, and two bunches of komatsuna. With prices rising in this world, cheap things can really help ease my mind. I try to visit "Mikkemon" from time to time. The bath itself was empty, even at 200 yen.

日々実践をめざす・・・適度な運動と栄養バランス

　今日８月１４日の群馬県の日の出は５時００分、正午の太陽高度は６７°、日の入りは１８時３６分で、このため、昼の時間が夏至の頃より、１時間１３分も短くなってます。地球は夏至の頃から反時計回りに約６０°も公転し、「やぎ座」の方向から「水瓶座」の方向へと進んでいます。これらの星座は深夜０時に頭上より少々南に確認できます。地方によっては、子供たちにとって楽しい夏休みも、あと１週間のみです。

　ところで、私は毎朝歩いて１０分ほどの倉賀野町上四公園でのラジオ体操会に参加しています。今まで体操後は汗びっしょりでしたが、ここへ来て空も青くなり、季節の推移を肌で感じてます。行き帰りを含め毎朝３０分間は身体を動かしてるので、哀れな孤食であっても、帰宅後はお腹が空いて朝食が美味しいです。

　フェイスブックはラジオ体操の前の早朝に書いており、今まで明るかったですが、５時前は暗いです。ところで、自ら行なう食材探しは楽しく、最近は旬のオクラに嵌ってます。きゅうりと一緒にし、内緒ですが、ニンニクも混ぜると美味しいです。起床後の朝一番には、ニンジンジュースか、トマトジュース、又は、グレープフルーツジュースをコップに一杯飲んで一日を始めます。これらは抗酸化作用(がん対策)です。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the constellations of season and great music.

　Today, August 14th, sunrise in Gumma Prefecture which is situated in the central Japan was at 5:00 AM, the sun's altitude at noon was 67°, and sunset will be at 6:36 PM. This means that daylight hours are 1 hour and 13 minutes shorter than at the summer solstice. The Earth has orbited approximately 60° anticlockwise since the summer solstice, moving the direction from Capricorn to Aquarius. These constellations can be seen by us slightly south of overhead at midnight. In some Japanese region, children's fun summer vacation only lasts a week only.

　By the way, I participate in radio gymnastics every morning at Kami-4th Park in Kuragano-town, about a 10-minute walk away. Until now, I had drenched in sweat after the gymnastics, but now the sky has turned blue and I can really feel the change of season. Since I'm constantly moving my body for 30 minutes every morning, including on the way to and from the park, even though I'm sadly eating alone, I'm hungry when I get home and breakfast tastes delicious beyond description.

　I write on Facebook early in the morning before radio gymnastics, and although it's been light out until now, it gets dark before 5am. By the way, I enjoy searching for ingredients myself, and recently I've been hooked on okra in the photo, which is in season. I mix it with cucumber, and secretly, garlic, too, therefore it's delicious. First thing in the morning after I wake up, I start my day with a glass of carrot juice, tomato juice, or grapefruit juice. These have antioxidant properties.

ウォーキングで度々立ち寄るので夕方墓参り

　先程、歩いて５分の九品寺に迎え盆に行ったところ、墓には今まで見たことのない程たくさんの花が飾ってありました。昨日、次女たちが墓参りに行ったとラインがありました。

　私は庭に咲いた「びっくり草」を６本持って行きましたら、もう飾れないほどでした。墓前でお線香をたき、冥福を祈りつつ、健康維持を誓いました。

Dear my friends

　I just visited Kuhonji Temple which is a five-minute walk away to worship Obon. To my surprise, the grave was decorated with many flowers than I've ever seen. My youngest daughter and her daughters messaged me yesterday on LINE they had visited the grave yesterday.

　I brought six "bikkuriso" (surprise plant) that were blooming in my garden. But there were so many flowers I couldn't display them all. I lit incense sticks in front of the grave, prayed for the soul's repose, and vowed to stay healthy.

盆の入り

　今日８月１３日は盆の入りです。墓参りしてご先祖様を現世にお迎えします。そして、４日間を家で過ごし、あの世に見送りする送り日は１６日です。昔は太陰太陽暦【旧暦】なので、１５日の晩や翌日１６日の晩は満月のため明るく、寺の境内に老若男女が集まって盆踊りをしました。私の倉賀野では１６日の送り日の晩は閻魔堂の祭りです。ここは昔の江戸と日光への分岐点です。

　盆踊りは「盆の期間に、あの世での地獄の苦しみから解放された亡者たちが喜んで踊る状態を模した踊り」といわれ、今でも夏祭りのクライマックスです。昔の私の家のすぐ裏は菩提寺の九品寺があったので、よく盆踊りが行われ、小学生だった私は見よう見まねで大人に混ざって踊り、動きがなかなか楽しかったことが思い出されます。昔に帰って踊りたいです。

　それにしても、いっしょに生活していた両親・妻が一昔前にあの世に行ってしまいましたが、４日間は家に迎えて供養します。そのほか、お世話になった恩師や知人友人の多くもすでに現世に居らず不思議なことです。暫くぶりに娘家族も私の家に来て食事を共にし、昔を振り返りたいと思います。

【写真は私の苗字と同じ柿の幼木です。昨年、植えたら、すでに私の背より高くなりました。実ったら味見にいらして下さい。】

Dear my friends who are crazy about ancestors and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

........................................................

　Today, August 13th, marks the beginning of Obon Festival that means Buddhist All Soul's Day in Japan. We visit our ancestors' grave to welcome them back into this world. They then spend four days at my home, before seeing them off to the afterlife on the 16th. In the old days, as you know, we used the lunisolar calendar (old calendar), so the full moon made the evening of the 15th and the following night of 16th bright, and people of all ages and genders would gather in the temple grounds to perform Bon Odori that means dance. In my hometown of Kuragano, the Enma-do Festival is held on the evening of the 16th. Here is the crossroads between old Edo and Nikko.

　Bon Odori is said to "imitate the joyous dancing of the dead who released from the hellish suffering of the afterlife during Obon," and it remains the climax of summer festivals today. My family temple, Kuhon-ji was located right behind my house in the past, so Bon Odori was often held there. As I was an elementary school student, I would join in the adults' dancing, imitating what I saw, and I remember having a lot of fun watching the movements. I think I'll go back in time and try dancing again this summer.

　Even so, my parents and wife whom I lived together, passed away some time ago, but I will welcome them into my home and hold a memorial service for them for four days. It is also strange that many of my teachers, acquaintances, and friends who helped me are no longer i this world. My daughter's family will be coming to my home after a long interval, So we will have a meal together and reminisce about the past.

(The photo shows a young persimmon tree with the same name as my last name. I planted it last year and it's already taller than me. Please come and taste it when it's ripe.)
　　

学習に遅すぎることはない

   【庭で急に芽が出て、急に咲いた"びっくり草"には驚きます。】

　「人生に遅すぎることは何もない。いつ始めても良いんだ。」という言葉を最近見ましたが、こんな言葉を聞くと、年齢を重ねつつある私はワクワクしてしまいます。心の底に一人暮らしを解消したい気持ちがあるからでしょう。一方、「総理通訳の外国語勉強法」の著者で、通訳の中川浩一氏は「外国語学習は年齢を重ねるほど有利」で、語れる内容が多ければ多いほどアウトプット【書く・話す】できると述べてます。

　こんな話を聞くと、年を重ねても一般に考えられている以上に希望が湧いてきます。「年を重ねると次第に夢がなくなる」と想われがちですが、とんでもありません。私もブログのカテゴリーに「学習に遅すぎることはない」と入れてあり、拙文を書いてます。特に「自らの興味関心事」であれば、この傾向は強く、老いて益々と言えそうです。若き日のように単語など丸暗記するのでなく、年齢を重ねれば勉強法に無駄がなくなり、アウトプットできるでしょう。

　ところで、私は知ってる歌にピアノで、右手で旋律を弾き、左手でそれに合った和音やリズムをつけて伴奏を創作します。あまり速くない名曲にも挑戦してます。音楽は心の盛り上がりを表したり、逆に、静寂な心も表現したりでき、年齢を重ねてこそ充実した精神生活に繋がると感じてます。一方、毎日ブログを英文にしてますが、あくまで「日本語ファースト」とし、自ら書いた日本語を「英語に置き換える作業」と捉えてます。自分で書いた「興味関心ある内容」であれば、新たな英単語・熟語も頭に定着しやすいと感じてます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the effective way of aging and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

...........................................

　I recently came across the words, "It's never too late in life. We can start at any time." Hearing this word makes me excited as I get older. Perhaps it's because I want to get away from living alone. Meanwhile, Nakagawa Koichi, an interpreter and author of "The Prime Minister's Interpreter's Foreign Language Study Method," says, "The older you get, the more advantageous it is to learn a foreign language," and the more you can talk about, the more output you can produce [by writing and speaking].

　As we get older, hearing like this words give me more hope, than it is generally thought. People tend to think that "as we get older, our dreams gradually fade," but that's not true at all. I also have a blog's category called "It's never too late to learn," and I write clumsy sentences. This tendency is particularly strong when it comes to "contents we're interested in," and it seems to become even stronger as we get older. Instead of memorizing new words in our younger days, as we get older, our study methods will become more streamlined and we'll be able to output our knowledge.

　Not change the subject, but I create accompaniments to songs I know by the piano, playing the melody with right hand and adding appropriate chords and rhythms with left hand. I also try to play the famous composer's pieces that aren't too fast. Music can express excitement or, conversely, a quiet heart, so that it can lead to a more fulfilling spiritual life as we get older. On the other hand, I write my Facebook page in English every day, but I always put Japanese first and think it as a process of "translating the Japanese I've written into English." I feel that new English words and phrases stick more easily in my head if they are "interesting content" that I've written myself.

シャワーとは違う、風呂の効用

　午後４時頃から、一週間ぶりに吉井ドリームセンターの日帰り温泉に行ってきました。やはり、汗をかいたりして弱った身体を逆に温めると、その後、さっぱりし、体調管理のポイントと感じます。

　足の指の間を洗うことなど大切ですが、身体全体を温めることに主眼を置くと「血流促進になって疲れが取れ」、健康によいと感じます。何か、今夜は元気が出てきました。どうしましょう。

Dear my friends

　Around 4pm Japan time, I went to my favorite Yoshii Dream Center's day spa for the first time in a week. As expected, warming up my whole body which has been weakened by sweating, makes me feel refreshed afterwards, and I feel that this is the key to maintaining good health.

　While it's important to wash between the toes, focusing on warming whole body "promotes blood circulation, and relieves fatigue." Therefore I feel that this is good for my health. For some reason, I feel more energetic tonight. What should I do?

山々と温泉の群馬県

【写真左下は浅間山の航空写真より】

　今日８月１１日は「山の日」。私が生涯で最も高い山に登ったのは北アルプスの「乗鞍岳」です。と言っても、当時の愛車「いすゞ１１７クーペ」で８合目辺りまで行けたので、そこから山頂をめざし歩きました。標高３０２６mの山頂には祠があり宮司さんもいて驚きました。夏休みだったので半ズボンで登ったら真夏でも寒かったです。

　しかし、生涯で最も感銘し３回も登頂したのは活火山・浅間山です。軽井沢の峰の茶屋から３時間です。山頂からは遥か東北地方の山々まで見え、景色は最高、視界にはいつも見てる群馬の谷川岳、北アルプス連峰、そして広大な関東平野が一望です。その中を利根川が蛇行して光ってました。高い山に登るとそれ以上に高い山が誠に雄大に見えます。それは富士の姿でした。

　しかし、浅間山山頂でそれにも増して感銘したのは、直径約500ｍ、垂直な深さ推定２００mほどの巨大な火口です。火口周囲を一周できる道があり、滑り落ちたら一巻の終わりです。恐る恐る上から覗くと火口の底は地獄を思わせ、火口内部の岩肌のあちこちから常に煙が出ており、その匂いは硫黄で異様です。

　写真は数年前に今は亡き友人と群馬県沼田市から赤城山の北側を通過し、「南郷温泉シャクナゲの湯」に入り、その後、大間々へ抜ける途中に昼食に立ち寄ったログハウスのレストランです。愛車は先代の黄色のＴＴです。あまり知られてない山奥の「南郷温泉シャクナゲの湯」には今一度ドライブで行ってみたいです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about mountaineering and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

..........................................................

　Today, August 11th, is Mountain Day in Japan. The highest mountain I've ever climbed was Mt. Norikuradake in the Northern Alps. That said, I was able to get to the eighth station in my beloved Isuzu 117 Coupe at the time, and from there I hiked to the summit. I was surprised to see a shrine and a priest at the 3,026m summit. It was summer vacation, so I climbed in shorts, therefore, it was cold even in midsummer.

　However, the most memorable mountain of my life is the active volcano Mt. Asama. I've summited three times, It's three hours from Mine no Chaya in Karuizawa. From the summit, I could see the mountains of the Tohoku region. The view is breathtaking, with views of the familiar Mt. Tanigawadake in Gumma, the Northern Alps, and the vast Kanto Plain. The Tone River meanders and shines. Climbing a high mountain makes higher mountains appear truly majestic. That was Mt. Fuji.

　But, what impressed me even more at the summit of Mt. Asama was the enormous crater, approximately 500m in diameter and estimated to be 200m vertically deep. There is a path that leads all the way around the crater, and if I slip and fall, it will be finished. Peering cautiously from above, the bottom of the crater resembles hell of this world, with smoke constantly rising from various places between the rock inside the crater, and the smell is eerie and sulfur.

　The photo shows a log cabin restaurant named "Rogtei" where we stopped for lunch a few years ago with a now-deceased friend on our way from Numata City, Gumma Prefecture, to the north side of Mt. Akagi, after we went to "Nango Spar Rhododendron" on our way to Omama. My beloved car is the previous-generation yellow TT. I'd like to drive to "Nango Spar Rhododendron" situated deep in the mountains, which isn't well known.

　

いつまでも眺めていたい故郷の山々

　先日の夕方のウォーキングでは、帰路に倉賀野一高いマンションの最上階から暫し故郷の光景を眺めました。高い位置からはいつもとは視点が変わり、改めて倉賀野町の全体像を捉えることができ感銘です。数多い家々の中から我が家を探したり、眼下には倉賀野小、東に広がる鯉池などを角度を変えて見ると、見慣れた風景も一味違い新鮮に見えます。

　しかし、最も感銘したのは赤城、榛名、妙義の上毛三山、並びに活火山の浅間山、テーブルマウンテンの荒船山、そして長く連なる谷川連峰の雄姿です。不思議なことに、これら平素見慣れた山々も高い位置からは、一段と立派で堂々とし、山岳の持つ威容さが迫ります。

　写真は有名な赤城山【標高１８２８m】です。私は若き日に赤城山のすべての峰に登頂し、それぞれの思い出が蘇ります。中でも深く感銘したのは最も西(写真では左)に尖って見える鈴ヶ岳【標高１５６５m】です。この山頂からの光景には、ため息が出ます。群馬県西部に広がる榛名、妙義の山並み、利根川の蛇行、浅間の雄姿、そして南には富士山が高く聳えてます。

　群馬県の多くの学校の校歌には上毛三山のどれかが歌詞の中にあり、雄大な山の姿から揺るぎない心の在り方を詠ってます。私が勤務した榛名高校では「榛名」、高崎商業では「三山」、富岡高校では「妙義」、最後に勤務した前橋高校ては「赤城颪」で始まりました。群馬県民にとって群馬の山々は「故郷そのもの」として深く心に刻まれてます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about mountains of hometown and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.........................................................

　In recent evening walk, I took a moment to gaze out at my hometown from the 13th floor of Kuragano's tallest apartment building near Kuragano-Station. From a high vantage point, my perspective changed, and I was impressed to be able to get a fresh, the whole view of Kuragano-Town. Searching for my house among the many houses, Kuragano Elementary School below, and the Carp pond to the east, all looked different and fresh when I looked at them from different angles.

　But what impressed me most were the majestic views of the three well-known mountains in Gumma such as Mt. Akagi, Mt. Haruna, and Mt. Myogi, as well as the active volcano Mt. Asama, the table mountain Mt. Arafune, and the long Tanigawa mountain range. Strangely enough, these familiar mountains appear even more impressive and imposing from a higher vantage point, and their imposing presence is truly captivating.

　The photo shows the famous Mt. Akagi (elevation 1,828m). I climbed all of Mt. Akagi's peaks in my youth, still young in heart, and the memories of each one come to mind. The one that made the deepest impression on me was Mt. Suzugadake (1,565m above sea level), which can be seen furthest peak to the west (left in the photo). The summit offers breathtaking view and Mt. Haruna and Myogi mountain ranges that stretch across western Gumma Prefecture, and the meandering Tone River, the majestic active volcano Asama, and the famous Mt. Fuji highest in Japan to the south.

　The school songs of many schools in Gumma Prefecture include lyrics featuring one of the three well-known mountains, singing of an unshakeable spirit inspired by the majestic mountain scenery. Haruna High School, where I worked, with "Mt. Haruna," Takasaki High School of Commerce with "three mountains," Tomioka High School with "Myogi," and Maebashi High School, where I last worked, began with "Akagi wind." For the people of Gumma Prefecture, the mountains of Gumma Prefecture are deeply etched in their hearts as "hometown itself."

　

出会いによって、その後の生活が変わる

　先日、前橋の次女宅に物を届けるため家を早朝に出ましたが、約束の時間より大分早く着いてしまったため、先に、比較的近くに広がる利根川の河川敷に行きました。ご覧の通り、ここは静寂な佇まいで、たくさんの緑に覆われ、とても空気の澄んだ広々した公園です。その中を数人の若者が一人ひとり自分のペースでジョギングをしていました。早朝から頑張っている若者がいることを知りました。

　心肺能力を始め、足腰の筋肉を鍛えるには、このように樹木の多い、空気のきれいな環境でこそ運動は効果的と感じました。平素、つい忘れがちですが、私たちは、この世に誕生した瞬間以来、常に酸素を吸い二酸化炭素を排出しつつ、呼吸活動を続けてます。その後、学校生活～職場生活を通じて、いろいろ体験し、いつの間にか年を重ね、経ってみると意外と早く還暦を迎えるものです。

　この頃から、人によって体調に差が出てきます。何かと忙しい日々を送っていても、忘れてならない健康維持こそは何事にも代え難い大切な基本です。健康を維持する基本は、光合成の盛んな緑多い環境を作り、日々、新鮮でバランスの取れた食事に心掛けることでしょう。

　ところで、私はすでに10年来、毎朝必ず続けてることがあります。それは早朝の空腹時に抗酸化作用があると考えられるトマトジュースをコップ一杯飲んでます。これは偶然に目にした「ガン対策の講演会」を知り出席したところ、群馬大学医学部のガン専門医が講演会の最後に話された「一言」でした。それ以来、毎朝の習慣となり、私の一日が始まります。 

Dear my friends who are crazy about cheerful healthy life and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.......................................................

　The other day, I left home early to deliver something to my second daughter in Maebashi-City. Since I arrived much earlier than the appointed time, So I decided to go first to the nearby Tone River riverbank. As you can see, this is a spacious park with a tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by abundant greenery and exceptionally clean air. Several young people were jogging through the park, each at their own pace. I was delighted to learn that there were young people there working hard from the early hours of the morning.

　I realized that exercise is most effective in strengthening cardiopulmonary capacity and strengthening the muscles in our legs and hips in the environment with plenty of trees and clean air like this. We tend to forget this, but from the moment we were born, we were constantly breathing, taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. From school to work at company, we experience many things and we know many things. Before we know it, we grow older. Looking back, we reach "Kanreki" the age of 60 surprisingly quickly.

　From this age, differences in physical condition begin to appear among individuals. Even in busy lives, maintaining good health is the essential and irreplaceable foundation for human. The key to maintaining good health is to create an environment with plenty of greenery where photosynthesis thrives and to make sure we should eat a fresh, balanced diet every day.

　Not change the subject, but there's something I've been continuing for the past 10 years. Early in the morning, on the empty stomach, I drink a glass of tomato juice which is thought to have antioxidant properties. This was a word spoken at the end of a lecture on cancer prevention that I happened to come across and attended, by a cancer specialist from Gumma University of Medicine. Since then, this has become my habit that I use every morning before starting my day.

満月を見て、地球も暗黒の宇宙に漂ってると認識

　今日は８月８日ですが、太陰太陽歴【旧暦】では６月１５日です。このため、夕方には東南東の空に満月が出ます。満月を眺めたら、私たちが今生活している地球は一見明るいですが、同様に「真っ暗な宇宙空間」にぽっかり浮いてることを認識しましょう。私たちは宇宙飛行士にならなくても、すでに宇宙空間に漂ってます。

　もう一つ大切なことは、夏の期間は時間が経過しても「満月が低い位置」になります。確認してくださいね。理由は、太陽と満月は地球を挟んで対照的な位置関係にあるからです。夏は太陽が深く沈まないです。このため北欧は白夜といわれます。逆に、南半球では今宵の月は高いです。

　今宵、月が出る時刻は午後６時２０分頃【群馬県】です。今宵は満月でも、よく見ると左の方が僅かに欠けてます。午前０時を過ぎれば本当に満月になります。離れていても一緒に眺めましょう。

【日本文と英文に多少の差異があります。】・・・There are subtle differences between the Japanese and English sentence.

　

Dear my earthlings

　Today is August 8th, but in the lunisolar calendar (old calendar), it is June 15th. This means that a full moon will rise in the southeastern sky in the evening. When you gaze at the full moon tonight, remember that the Earth is at a glance bright, we live on is also floating in the real dark universe. Even if we don't become an astronaut, we're already floating in space by nature.

　Another important thing for us to remember is that during the summer, the full moon is low in the sky. Please check this out. This is because the sun and full moon are in symmetrical positions across from each other, separated by the Earth. In summer the sun doesn't set deep. Conversely, the moon will be high in the Southern Hemisphere tonight.　

　Tonight, the moon will rise at 6:20 pm [Gumma Prefecture]. Although tonight is a full moon, if you look closely, you will see that it is slightly crescent on the left. The moon will truly be full after midnight. Let's watch it together even if we're far apart. We are one in spirit.

恩師との出会い

　連日、陽射しが強く４０°に迫る気温でしたが、昨日は群馬県高崎市でも暫くぶりに雨が降り、あちこちで枯葉が目立つ庭の植物たちはどれだけ潤ったか知れません。子供の頃の夏は毎日のように夕立があり、東の空に虹が現れ、夕方は涼しかった記憶があります。確かに昔に比べ、気候変動を実感です。

　一方、子供の頃の冬期は度々雪が降り、雪だるま作り、そり滑り、学校では雪合戦と楽しい思い出が蘇ります。自らそりを作り、近くの坂道で滑って楽しんだものです。また、小学生の時から鳩が好きで飼っていたので、鳩小屋を幾度も作っりました。ですから、小学生の頃の私の夢は「大工」になることでした。

　学校があまり好きではなかったので早めに就職するつもりでしたが、どうしたことでしょう。高校時代に熱心な音楽の先生に巡り合い、先生は私の家に来て音楽の道を薦め、両親まで説得し始めたのです。今振り返ると、結局、それが元で私の人生は変わり、インドに住んだり、私の職業は「第九」を教えたりする仕事となり、人生は分からぬものです。

　退職後は、最近のように地区の人たちが歌うピアノ伴奏に繋がり、喫茶「さんぽ道」で弾いたり、生涯は音楽ある生活となり、先生の指導に本当に感謝です。来週のお盆には、暫くぶりに江木町の寺に行き、恩師の墓参りをします。

【英訳は本文の後半のみです。】

Dear my friends who are crazy about cheerful life and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

...........................................

　As a matter of fact, in my childhood, I didn't really like school, so I had planned to get a job early, but who knows what happened. In high school period, I met a passionate music teacher who came to my home and encouraged me to recommend a career in music, even starting to persuade my parents. Looking back now, that experience ultimately changed my life, leading to me living in India at Calcutta. After returning to Japan, my job was teaching to sing the Ninth Symphony by Beethoven. We never know what life will bring.

　After retiring, I recently found myself accompanying local people on piano as they sang, and I often play at the cafe "Sampo-michi." Currently, music has become a part of my life, and I am truly grateful for my teacher's guidance. Next week, during the Bon Festival in Japan, I will visit the temple in Egi-town for the first time in a while, to visit the grave of my mentor named Hatoba.

　

暑い暑いと言っても、今日は「立秋」

【やぎ座】

　私たちを載せた地球は、一年かけて一周約９億４千万㎞の公転軌道上を秒速約２９㎞という物凄い速度で公転しています。地球の公転は北極星側から見て反時計回りです。今宵、午前０時頃に真南に見える星座は、太陽系を取り巻く黄道十二星座の一つ「山羊座」です。このため、現在、地球は「山羊座」の方向に差し掛かってます。

　ですから、二十四節気の一つ今日の「立秋」とは「地球が山羊座の方向に達する日」です。今宵のみならず、これから２週間ほどは天の赤道の少々南に「山羊座」が見えるので「立秋」における地球の公転上位置を自らの目で確認しましょう。

　その後、宇宙空間に浮いてる私たちの地球は次第に「水瓶座」【日本など北半球で見ると逆さまです。】の方向からインドの形にそっくりな「魚座」の方向へと進み「秋分の日」へと向かいます。このように地球は地軸を２３．５°傾けたまま、一年をかけ、黄道十二星座の方向へ次々に公転して行きます。このため、黄道十二星座は季節と連動してます。 

Dear earthlings

　Our planet which is carrying us, travels a 940 million km orbit every year. The earth is revolving at a tremendous speed of approximately 29 km per second. The Earth is revolving counterclockwise when viewed from the North Star side. Tonight, at around midnight, we earthling can see the constellation of Capricorn due south, which is one of the twelve zodiac constellations that surround the solar system. Therefore, our earth is currently approaching the direction of Capricorn.

　Therefore, "Risshu" one of the 24 solar terms, marks the day when Earth reaches the direction of Capricorn. Not only tonight, but for the next two weeks or so, Capricorn will be visible slightly south of the celestial equator, so let's check out Earth's position at Risshu by our own eyes.

　After that, our Earth which is floating in space, will gradually move to the direction of Aquarius (which is upside down when viewed from Japan and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere) toward Pisces which is a constellation resembling the shape of India, at that time, we will reach the Autumnal Equinox. In this way, the Earth revolves with the Earth's axis at a 23.5° tilt, in the direction of each of the twelve zodiac constellation through the year. The twelve constellations are linked to the seasons.

マンション最上階から、我が家を見る

　夕方５時１５分～６時４５分まで１時間半をウォーキングし、倉賀野駅北口近くにある「鯉池」一周、及び、その東にある「タイヤ市場」でタイヤをいろいろ見て回りました。

　ところが、タイヤ専門店であっても、私の愛車のタイヤサイズ２４５－３５－１９はなく、それより小さいサイズでした。それでも、私のタイヤの半額以下～３分の１ほどの値段で、すごく安いので驚きました。

　帰路に、倉賀野一高い駅前のマンション【鯉池の遠くに見えるビル】の一番高い所までエレベーターで昇り、直線距離で４００mほど西に離れてる私の家を見ました。３階の窓が少し開いてるのが分かりました。煙突の原理で、家の中の暖かい空気を出してます。一人暮らしにしては大きいです。建てた当初は娘たちと一緒に住めるようにと考えていたからです。現実は厳しい。

Dear my Facebook friends

　I walked for an hour and a half from 5:15 to 6:45 in this evening, circling the "Carp Pond" near the north exit of Kuragano-Station and I was browsing various tires at the Tire Market to the east.

　However, even at the tire specialty store, they didn't have my car's tire size, 245-35-19. Still, I was surprised at how cheap they were, less than half to a third of the price of my tires.

　On my way back, I took the elevator to the top of Kuragano's tallest apartment building in front of the station (the building visible in the distance from the Carp Pond) and looked at my house, which is about 400 meters away in a straight line. I noticed that the third-floor's window was slightly open. It uses the same principle as a chimney to let warm air out of the house. It's too large for a single person, since I originally built the house so as to live with my daughters. The reality is harsh.

涼みに行ってきます。

　今日もこれから喫茶「さんぽ道」で涼んできます。と言うものの本心は二つで、一つはあまり乗らない愛車を動かしたいからです。人間も車も「適度に動いてこそ」健康な状態を維持できるものでしょう。

　もう一つは、一人でばかりいると人との交流がなく、良い刺激が受けられません。最も大切なことは人と話す機会の確保です。では、行って参ります。

【日本文と英文では微妙に差異がございます。】

　I'm off to cool off at the Sampo-michi cafe today. However, I have two motives for going there. First, I want to drive my beloved car, which I don't drive very often. Both human and car can only stay healthy if they "move around moderately."

　Second purpose, if I'm always alone in home, I won't interact with others and won't get any good stimulation. The most important thing is to make sure I must have opportunities to talk to people, especially lady. Well, I'm off.

倉賀野の歴史をウォーキングと結びつける

　故郷・倉賀野に生まれ育ち、小学生の頃は西の 正六から東の南町まであちこちの友だちの家に遊びに行き、その近くの林や森、川で遊んだ記憶が蘇ります。それ以来、何十年と経過しても、未だ倉賀野町の隅々まですべてを歩き尽くしていません。倉賀野の特徴の一つは、５～６世紀に造られたと想われる古墳群です。私は今でも必ず頂上まで登り、広い山頂で周囲の景色を眺めたり、故郷の遥かなる古に思いを馳せてます。

　私の知る限り、倉賀野に残ってる立派な古墳は正六から上町にかけての大鶴巻古墳、隣の小鶴巻古墳、及び浅間山古墳です。また、下町の諏訪神社の西近くに一基ありますが、近年、宅地開発され、その姿は殆ど確認できなくなりつつあります。一方、南町の緑地公園近くには写真の一本杉古墳が残存してます。

　先日のウォーキングでも、ここを訪れ、寂しそうに佇む小さなこの古墳を見学しました。山頂には杉の木があり、古き倉賀野の姿を今に伝えています。子供のとき私は仲の良かったＫ君とこの近くで遊んだことが蘇ります。彼は高崎市議に立候補する直前に病に倒れ、帰らぬ人となりました。ピンチヒッターで奥様が急遽、立候補し当選され、活躍されました。

　健康維持と「倉賀野についての勉強」を兼ねる目的で、これからもウォーキングを続けます。最近の猛暑では却って健康にマイナスなので、涼しくなったら再開です。心では一緒に歩いてくれる人を求めてます。【写真はクリックし拡大してご覧ください。】

Dear everyone

　I was born and raised in my hometown named Kuragano. When I was an elementary school student, I visited friends' houses all over the Kuragano, from Shoroku in the west to Minami-cho in the east, and I have fond memories of playing in their nearby woods, forests, and rivers. Even though decades have passed since then, I still haven't explored every corner of Kuragano. One of Kuragano's distinctive features is the group of ancient tombs thought to have been built in the 5th or 6th century. I still often climb to the top, admire the surrounding breathtaking scenery from the wide summit, and reminisce about the distant past of my hometown Kuragano.

　As far as I know, the only magnificent ancient tombs remaining in Kuragano are the Otzurumaki Tomb from Shoroku to Kami-cho, the neighboring Kozurumaki Tomb, and the Sengenyama Tomb. There is also one located near the west of Suwa Shrine in Shimo-cho, but in recent years it has been developed into residential land so that it is becoming increasingly difficult to see. Meanwhile, the Ipponsugi Tomb, shown in the photo, remains near the greenery park in Minami-cho.

　I visited this spot on a recent walking and saw this small, lonely-looking ancient tomb. There are cedar trees on the summit as you see in the photo, reminding us of the old Kuragano. It brings back memories of playing nearby as a child with my good friend Mr. Kiyozuka. He fell ill just before running for Takasaki City Council and passed away regrettably. His wife ran for as a pinch hitter and won the election and she had a great career.

　I will continue walking to maintain my health together with "study about my Kuragano-town." The recent heatwaves in Japan have actually been detrimental to my health, so I will resume walking after the weather cools down. In my heart, I am looking for someone to walk with me. [Click on the photo to enlarge.]

　

自然の脅威を感じる・・・人間には対処できないか

【倉賀野町を流れる烏川の水量も少なくなってる。】

　本当に暑くて暑くて皆さん大丈夫でしょうか。お見舞い申し上げます。今日はずいぶん水分補給し、ずいぶん汗をかきました。生きるためには水が必要ですね。私は氷を入れた水を飲んでました。

　今日の午後は予定通り、地区の「のびのび健幸クラブ」がありました。体操後、私がピアノで弾く前奏を聴いて曲名を当ててもらい、その後、全員で歌いました。曲は1、北国の春、2、夏の思い出、3、箱根八里でした。

　その前に、暑さを吹き飛ばすため、手慣らしで今日から始まった高校野球の「栄冠は君に輝く」を元気よく弾いたら意外と好評でした。

Dear friends

　It's extremely hot today, I hope you're all okay. I pray that you all are healthy. I've been hydrating a lot today and sweating a lot. Freshly, we recognize that water is indispensable to live. I'm drinking iced water. Of course, in the evening I will "Bottoms up" with draft beer with thinking of you.

　This afternoon, as scheduled, we had our local "Relaxed Health Club" event. After gymnastics, everyone listened to introductions I played by the piano and tried to guess the name of the song, after which we all sang together. The songs were 1. Spring in the North, 2. Summer Memories, and 3. Hakone Hachiri.

　Before that, to warm up my hands and blow away the heat, I played "The Crown Shines on You," which is a famous song from the high school baseball game that started today, as the result, it was surprisingly well received.

今日はピアノ伴奏を頑張ります。

　８月５日、群馬県の今日の日の出は４時５３分、太陽高度は７０°、日の入りは１８時４６分の予定です。夏至と比較すると、日の出は２７分遅く、太陽高度は７°低く、日の入りはすでに１９分も早まってます。地球は着実に反時計回りに公転しており、明後日はいよいよ「立秋」です。

　植物を観察すると、真冬に真っ赤になるクロガネモチがすでにたくさん実をつけてます。しかし、未だ、葉の色と同じです。これが秋の深まりと共に徐々に変色して行き、一見同じに見えても自然は少しずつ変化しています。１０月、１１月に写真に撮って比べてみます。

　ところで、今日の午後は「あんしんセンター倉賀野」主催による「のびのび健幸クラブ」が私の家の前の「ふるさと」で開催され、血圧測定に始まり、みんなの体操、鬼石体操などが行われ、その後、会員全員で歌を歌います。前回と同様に、先ず、その歌の前奏を聴いて曲名を当てるクイズです。これが「脳のひらめき」のために良いと考えられてます。

　ピアノ伴奏は私に依頼されてるので、先ず、前奏の「特徴ある部分」のみ弾く予定です。そして、分かった人に答えていただき、その後、歌詞のプリントが配られ、会員全員で歌います。曲は３曲です。年を重ねると、日頃、歌う機会も少なくなることから、皆さん、いつも気持ちよさそうに大きな声で歌います。きっと、心が晴れやかになるのでしょう。会の目的通り、心身ともに「のびのび健幸」を感じます。では今日、私はピアノ伴奏を頑張ります。

Dear my friends who are crazy about cheerful life and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.....................................................

　On August 5th, sunrise in Gumma Prefecture is 4:53 AM, the sun's altitude at 70°, and sunset is scheduled at 6:46 PM. Compared to the summer solstice, sunrise is 27 minutes later, the sun's altitude at noon is 7° lower, and sunset is already 19 minutes earlier. So our Earth is steadily progressing counterclockwise on its orbit, and the day after tomorrow will finally be the beginning of autumn in Japan.

　Looking at the plants in the garden, I notice that the Japanese silverleaf, which will turn bright red in the middle of winter, is already bearing a lot of fruit. However, the color is still the same as the leaves. This will gradually change as autumn deepens, and even though nature may look the same at first glance, nature is gradually changing day by day. I will take photos from October and November to compare them.

　Not change the subject, but this afternoon the "Nobinobi Health Club" sponsored by the Kuragano Relieved Center, is being held at Furusato which situated in front of my house. The event will begin with a blood pressure measurement, followed by Everyone's gymnastics and Onishi Gymnastics, followed by a song for all members. The same as last time, we will start with a quiz where participants listen to the introduction of the song and guess the name of the song. This is thought to be effective to "stimulating brain inspiration."

　I have been asked to play the piano accompaniment, so I will first play only the "distinctive parts" of the introduction. Those who know the title of song will answer, then the printed lyrics will be distributed and all members will sing together. There will be three songs. As people get older, they have fewer opportunities to sing on a daily basis, so everyone always sings loudly and with a sense of joy. I'm sure it lifts their spirits. As the purpose of the event is to feel "healthy and relaxed" in both body and mind. So today, I will do my best with the piano accompaniment.

植物ヘの水遣り・・・毎日が真剣です。

【画像をクリックすると、臨場感が出ます。】　

　本当に暑過ぎる毎日です。このため、今年は庭で今までになかった異変が起こってます。それは草が枯れ始めてます。私としては除草が楽でよいのですが、他の植木たちもそれに近い状態です。ところが、我が家の象徴である写真の大きなサルスベリは「私の気候が来た」とばかり満開になりました。

　こんな時、私が忘れてならないのが根元への水遣りです。地中での根の広がりは枝の長さと同じと考えられ、相当の水量を与えてます。でも、井戸水なので経済的な心配は要りません。今年の異変のもう一つは、群馬高崎には夕立が殆どないことです。

　こう暑いと、人間の生活も消極的に陥りやすいです。しかし、そんな時、私はフェイスブック友人のお顔を思い出し、どうにか頑張ってます。サルスベリから私に不足がちな情熱を習います。

Dear my friends throughout the world.

　It's been really hot every day beyond description in Japan. Because of this, something strange has happened in my garden this year that I've never seen before, the grass is starting to wither. So I'm happy because it makes weeding easier, but the other plants are the same situation. However, the large crape myrtle in the photo, a symbol of my home, has bloomed in full bloom, as if she says, "My favorite climate has finally arrived."

　At times like this, I must not forget to water the base of the plants. As you know, the roots spread underground in the same way as the branches, so I give them a fair amount of water. However, since I use well water, I don't have to worry about the cost. Another strange climate this year is the evening shower doesn't come in Takasaki, Gumma Prefecture.

　When this hot weather continues, it's easy for people to become passive in their daily lives including me. But at times like this, I remember the faces of you, including my Facebook friends and somehow manage to hang in there. The crape myrtle teaches me passion that I often lack.

選択制夫婦別姓を考える

　先の参議院議員選挙でも、「選択制夫婦別姓」が論議の対象として扱われました。私はどちらかというと今までは、結婚して夫婦が別の姓を名乗ることは不自然であり、結果的に、子供がどちらかの親と異なる姓になることが起こり、これについては社会的慣習と共に、子供の成長過程において、いじめの対象にならないか、成人後の子供の精神面を考慮すると、どうしても考えられないことでした。ご覧の通り、私の家の大屋根には家紋と共に、生まれて以来ずっと使ってきた苗字を掲げてます。

　ところがです。現在、私には一つの悩みがあります。私が生きてる間は問題ないのですが、今まで当たり前のように使ってきたいわば自分自身である柿沼という苗字が将来は無くなる危機を感じてます。私にとって、これはこの上なく寂しいことで重大です。私には二人の娘がおり、すでに結婚し、慣習通り、先方の苗字になってます。孫もいますが、もちろん「柿沼」の姓を名乗ってません。

　実は私の家の墓石は両親時代に建設され、しっかりと「柿沼家」と刻されてます。墓は比較的広く空いてるので、いつまでもこの墓を使うようにと冗談半分に娘たちには伝えてあります。このように、私にとって苗字が存亡の危機にあり、孫の一人でも「柿沼」の姓を継いでくれていたらと思うようになってます。これは私の個人的なことですが、「選択制夫婦別姓」はとても大切な政治的なことと考えるようになりました。一般論として、男性の殆どは生涯を通じて同じ姓ですが、女性の殆どは生涯を通じて同じ姓ではありません。

Dear my friends who are crazy about surname and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

................................................................

　The recent House of Councilors election in Japan also featured the issue of optional separate surnames for married couples. Until now, I've generally thought it unnatural for married couples to take different surnames. As a result, children would end up with a different surname from either parent. This was unthinkable for me, considering social customs, as well as the psychological impact on children as they grow up in elemental school and if possible it may become a target of bullying including during adult. As you can see, the main roof of my house displays the surname that I've used since birth, along with my family crest.

　However, I'm currently facing a worry. While it won't be a problem while I'm alive, I feel that the surname "Kakinuma," which I've taken for granted and which is a part of me, is in danger of disappearing in the future. To me, this is "an extremely sad and serious matter." I have two daughters, both married and taking their spouse's surname, as custom. I have grandchildren, but of course they don't use the surname "Kakinuma."

　In fact, my family's tombstone was built during my parents' time and is clearly engraved with "Kakinuma Family." Our grave is relatively spacious and empty, so I have half-jokingly told my daughters to keep using it forever. Actually my family name is in danger of extinction in the future, and I have come to hope that at least one of my grandchildren will carry on "Kakinuma" surname. While this is a personal matter, I have come to believe that "optional separate surnames for married couples" is a very important political issue. Generally speaking, most men maintain the same surname throughout their lives, but most ladies do not maintain the same surname throughout their lives.

夢のない「後期高齢者」という表現

　昨日は、珍しく一日に２回シャワーを浴びました。人に失礼があってはならないので一回目は２時頃で喫茶「さんぼ道」へ行く前でした。二回目は、広大な「倉賀野緑地」(写真上)まで往復１時間１５分のウォーキング後です。このお陰で空腹になり、寂しさこの上ない孤食でも、夕食が(生ビールを含む)が美味しく、「適度な運動こそは筋肉と骨密度の維持に欠かせない」ことを実感です。

　一方、適度な運動は血液循環によく、不思議なことに、ウォーキング中は自然と頭で何かしら考えが巡ります。脳内の血流もスムースになるのでしょう。私にとって大切なことは今後の「充実した生き方」です。しかし、世の中では７５才以上を後期高齢者と国の段階から事務的な表現を使ってます。私は文字を変え、高貴高齢者となって「高貴な精神生活」の年令と捉えてます。

　例えば、学習に遅すぎることはありません。年齢を増し、今までの体験や感想を語れる内容が多ければ多いほどアウトプットできます。つまり、アウトプットしたい内容こそ大切で、それに比べれば単語・熟語を覚えるインプットはそれほど難しくないと思います。音楽を聴いたり奏でたりして人生で一番楽しい筈の期間を後期高齢者という表現では夢がありません。すべての人が必ず７５才以上になります。言葉から未来を明るくしましょう。

Dear my friends who are crazy about encounter with person and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.............................................................

　Yesterday, I took a rare shower twice in one day. Because I didn't want to be rude before people, I took the first shower around 2 p.m. before going to the Sambo-michi cafe. The second, as mentioned above, was after a 1 hour and 15 minute round trip walk to the vast Kuragano-Greenery Park (pictured above). This made me hungry, and even though I was eating alone and feeling extremely lonely, dinner (including draft beer) was delicious, and I realized that "moderate exercise is essential for maintaining muscle and bone density."

　On the other hand, moderate training is good for blood circulation, and strangely enough, I naturally find myself thinking about something while walking. It's probably because the blood circulation in the brain is smoother. For me, living a fulfilling life in the future is important. While the government has formally designated those over 75 as "late elderly," I'd like to change the wording to "noble elderly," and see this as an age for a "noble spiritual life."

　For example, it's never too late to learn. As you get older, the more content you can share about your experiences and impressions, the more output we can have. In other words, it's the content we want to output that's important, and compared to that, I think input, like learning English words and phrases, is not so difficult. It's a bit unrealistic to call the period of your life when you're listening to and playing music and enjoying it the most, the "late elderly." Everyone will eventually be over 75. Let's brighten the future with our words.

　

サルスベリと愛車のツーショット

　外があまりにも暑いので、涼しい喫茶「さんぽ道」でアイスコーヒーを戴きながら、糸川英夫さんの著書を読みに行きます。もし、お客が少なければピアノも弾きます。「さんぽ道」へは愛車で１2分です。

　夕方になり、少し涼しくなったら６時頃より倉賀野をウォーキングして、夕食(ビールを含む)が美味しくなるようにします。

追伸・・・只今、喫茶「さんぽ道」から帰宅しました。実は他の客が一人もいなかったので、涼しい所を独り占めでした。読書し、お陰でママさんとも暫く話ができ、10分程ピアノも弾かせて戴きました。曲目は友人スペンスを思い出し、ニュージーラド国歌に始まり、オーストラリア、イギリス、フランス、韓国の国歌も弾き、その後、5日に歌の伴奏する曲や、「愛の賛歌」最後は私のテーマであるノクターンb mollで締めました。

Dear my friends　

　It's so hot outside that I'm off to the cool cafe "Sampo-michi" to read Hideo Itokawa's books while enjoying an iced coffee. If there aren't many customers, I'd like to play the piano. "Sampo-michi" is a 12-minute drive away.

　In the evening, when it cools down a bit, I'll go for a walk around Kuragano about 6pm to make my dinner (including beer) taste better. The photo is a shot of the crape myrtle and my car.

P.S. ・・・I just returned home from the cafe "Sampo-michi." Actually, there were rarely no other customers there, so I had the cool spot all to myself. I read the book of Itikawa, chatted with the lady owner for a while, and played the piano for about 10 minutes. The program began with the New Zealand national anthem, which reminded me of my friend Mr. Spence, and then played the national anthem of Australia, UK, France, and South Korea. Then, I played the accompaniment for the song on the 5th, "Hymne amore," and ended with my theme, Nocturne in B minor by Chopin. 　

バランスの良いサルスベリ・・・私も肖りたい

　台風９号が太平洋に抜け、群馬県は朝から晴れ、強い陽射しです。それでも、朝夕は時々涼しい風が吹き、ほんの少し季節は秋に向かっている気配で、そんな時、ホット感じます。立秋まであと５日。涼しくなったら赤城山大沼一周ウォーキングと、大好きな谷川岳天神平、天神峠の散策と谷川温泉を今から楽しみにしてます。

　来たる８月５日に上４集会所「ふるさと」で行われる「あんしんセンター倉賀野」主催による体操会の途中では、私に歌のピアノ伴奏の仕事があり、主催者と歌う曲名が決まりました。会員はかなり楽しみにしているようです。カラオケと異なり、懐かして曲を皆で一緒に歌うからでしょう。

　先ず、私はその歌の前奏を少しのみを弾き、会員に曲名を当ててもらうのです。前奏はすべてを弾かず、特徴ある部分のみ弾きます。勘のよい方は手を上げで答えてくれます。その後、正式に前奏をすべて弾くと「ああそうだ」と拍手が起こります。今回も３曲を決めました。それにしても、名曲とは前奏もよく出来ており、作曲家の創作力は誠に素晴らしいと今更ながら感銘です。

　ところで、真夏の今、あちこちでサルスベリが目立ちます。近年は庭にサルスベリを植えてる家が多く、色彩は紅に限らず、いろいろ咲いてます。ところが驚くことに、すぐ裏のお宅の庭には根元が1本なのに３本の枝が出て、それぞれ異なる色彩で咲いているのには驚きます。

　ご覧の通り、こちら側は紫ですが、左の方はピンク、そして反対側は紅です。一色に染まらず、しばらく鑑賞していて、とても心が和み、バランスの良さを感じます。私自身もこれからの日々ではバランスを頭に入れ、味のある生活を心掛けたいものです。とりあえず、二色をめざしましょう。

台風９号が太平洋に抜け、群馬県は朝から晴れ、強い陽射しです。それでも、朝夕は時々涼しい風が吹き、ほんの少し季節は秋に向かっている気配で、そんな時、ホット感じます。立秋まであと５日で、涼しくなったら、赤城山大沼一周ウォーキングと、大好きな谷川岳天神平、天神峠での散策と谷川温泉を今から楽しみにしてます。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about natural colors and great music.

　Typhoon No. 9 has moved out into the Pacific Ocean, and Gumma Prefecture has been sunny and shining brightly since this early morning. Still, there are occasional cool breezes in the morning and evening, hinting at a slight shift in the season toward autumn, I guess. With five days until the beginning of autumn, I'm already looking forward to walking around Lake Onuma on Mt Akagi, exploring my favorite spots in Tenjindai and Tenjin Pass on Mt. Tanigawa, and visiting the Spar of Tanigawa.

　On August 5th, the Anshin Relieved Center Kuragano will be holding a gymnastics event at the Furusato Community Center, where I've been tasked with piano accompaniment for songs. The organizers and I have already decided the name of the songs. The members seem very excited any time, because unlike karaoke, it's a nostalgic songs so everyone can sing together.

　First, I'll play a short introduction to the song and ask the members to guess the name of the song. I won't play the entire introduction, just the distinctive parts only. Those with a good sense can raise her hand to answer. After officially playing all the introductions, the audience burst into applause, saying, "That's right." We already decided on three pieces this time. Even so, the introductions are well-composed with masterpieces, and I'm still impressed by the composer's truly incredible creativity.

　Not change the subject, but now in the middle of summer, crape myrtles are becoming more and more common. Many homes have been planting crape myrtles in their gardens in recent years, and they bloom in a variety of colors, not just red. Surprisingly, however, in the garden of the house just behind mine, there's one plant with three branches, so that each branches are blooming in a different color.

　As you can see, this side is purple, the left side is pink, and the other side is red. Admiring them for a while, without a single color, it is very soothing and gives a sense of good balance. I would like to keep balance in mind and strive to live a tasteful life in the days to come. For now, let's aim for two colors.

歴史は消えゆく・・・倉賀野の古民家が解体される

　倉賀野には旧１７号国道沿いに江戸時代から明治の初期にかけて建設されたと想われる由緒ある住宅が３軒ありました。しかし、そのうちの一軒(高田家)が今日までに急遽解体されてしまい、私は写真を撮っておけばよかったと悔やんでいます。

　現在でも残っている古民家は写真右下の建物で、太鼓橋近くの旧大山家です。現在は、宿場町であった倉賀野を見学する人たちの休憩所「おもてなし館」として使われてます。昔ここの主は倉賀野町長でした。実は、私が生まれ育ち２０年暮らした家はこの近くで、家の作りがこの家にそっくりで幕末に建てられたと伝えられます。記憶の中にのみ存在します。

　ところで、写真左下は現在、倉賀野に残っている古民家では「風格と言い保存状態と言い申し分ない須賀家」です。残念なのはこの家の裏庭に樹齢５００年ほどの大きな欅の木があり、倉賀野の長い歴史を見下ろしてきたであろうに、どうしたことでしょう。近年伐採されてしまい残念に思います。

　写真上は現在私が一人暮らししてる家です。庭は２００坪と広いのですが、その殆どは樹木です。二階の窓の所でこのフェイスブックを発信してます。樹木の間から時折ピアノの音がしているかもしません。遊びにいらして下さい。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about the history of your birthplace and great music.

　Along the old National Route 17 in Kuragano-town, there were three historic houses thought to have been built since the Edo period to the early Meiji period. However, one of them was hastily demolished today, so that I regret not taking a photo in advance.

　The only remaining old house in Kuragano is the photo in the bottom right, the former Oyama family home near the Taiko Bridge. It is currently used as the Omotenashikan that means a hospitality home for visitors to Kuragano-town which was once a historical post town. The former owner was the mayor of Kuragano-town. In fact, the house I was born and raised in and lived in for 20 years was nearby. My old house was said to have been built at the end of the Edo period and is very similar to this house. It exists only in my memory.

　By the way, the bottom left of the photo is the Suga family home, one of the remaining old houses in Kuragano, which is "impeccably preserved in terms of both style and preservation." It's a shame that a large zelkova tree about 500 years old stood in the backyard of this house, overlooking Kuragano's long history. What happened to it? It's a shame that it was cut down in recent years.

　Meanwhile, the photo above is the house where I currently live alone. The garden is large at 665m², and most of it is covered in trees. I'm posting this Facebook from a second-floor near the window. You may occasionally listen to the sound of the piano through the trees. Please come over for tea.

「刺さる」言葉の危うさ・・・上毛新聞「みんなのひろば」より

　昨日、上毛新聞の読者投稿欄「みんなのひろば」に、このブログのコメンテーター「時計屋の隣りさん」の文章が掲載されました。誠におめでとうございます。実は彼の文章は度々、上毛新聞や読売新聞に掲載されてます。一方、先日は、彼の投稿文を読んだ読者の感想も載り、彼にとって投稿者冥利に尽きることでしょう。今回は、社会を賑わした参院選についてであり、とても時機を得たものです。

　　タイトル・・・「刺さる」言葉の危うさ・・・
　

　参院選で政党や候補者が掲げる政策が有権者にどれだけ響くか表現する言葉として「刺さる」が使われるケースが目立ちました。「刺さる」という表現は、単なる共感を超えて心に深く訴える力を持ち、マスコミでも頻繁に使用されるようになりました。

　選挙公約の内容が似通う中ではメッセージの個性が薄れ、印象に残りにくくなります。そんな中、「日本人ファースト」というスローガンが多くの有権者の心に強く刺さったといわれてます。このスローガンは、外国人政策の見直しや「外国人総合政策庁」設置案を含み、現代社会が抱える不安を反映しています。一方で、差別や排斥につながる恐れも指摘されてます。

　言葉は非常に強力な力を持ちますが、それが感情を揺さぶる時、冷静な思考を妨げる危険性も秘めています。歴史を振り返ると、特定の集団への焦点を当て過ぎたアプローチが誤解や分断を招き、社会に不和をもたらした事例が数多く存在します。

　私たちは感情に訴える言葉の背景や意図を深く読み取り、その影響を冷静に考える必要があります。それは、言葉を通じて真のポジティブな変化を社会にもたらすための鍵となるでしょう。