寂しさこの上ないセルフレジ

　皆さんが仕事中であるのに、今日も午後になって吉井の日帰り温泉に行ったり、喫茶店でリラックスしていて申し訳ありません。どちらも私一人でした。ただ、身体を温めることは血流が良くなり、健康維持の基本と考えてます。

　その後、喫茶「さんぽ道」では１時間ほど本を読み、その後、ママさんとも暫し話すチャンスがあり有意義でした。一方、毎日行く倉賀野のスーパーは今日から殆どがセルフになってしまい、レジの女性と話す機会を楽しみにしていた私には精神面でマイナスとなり、困ったものです。

　何でも機械化は便利でしょうが、人間としての交流が激減します。

Dear my friends

　I apologize for going to a day spa in Yoshii and relaxing at a coffee shop this afternoon while everyone was at work. I was alone in both. However, I believe that warming the body improves blood circulation and is fundamental to maintaining good health and longevity.

　Afterwards, I read a book for about an hour at the coffee shop "Sampo-michi," and then had a chance to chat with the owner Mama for a while, which was very meaningful. On the other hand, the supermarket in Kuragano-town that I go to every day has become self-resister from today, which is a mentally negative experience for me, as I was looking forward to talking to the cashier, therefore it's a problem.

　Mechanization of everything may be convenient economically, but it has drastically reduced human interaction, and for living alone, it has made me feel extremely lonely. I will look for new ways to find joy in the future.

爽やかな秋の陽射しを浴びてウォーキング

　午前5時、澄んだ真東の空に一際明るい「明けの明星」を眺めながらブログを書いてます。月日の経つのは誠に早く今日で９月が終わります。今日９月３０日の日の出は５時３８分、太陽高度は５０°、日の入りは１７時２９分【群馬県】です。これからは日に日に日没が早まるでしょう。「秋の日は釣瓶落とし」と言われる所以で、これは地球の公転軌道が少々楕円のためと考えられます。

　昨日の夕刻は暫くぶりに高崎市木部町を流れる鏑川沿いの長い土手をウォーキングしました。ご覧のように景色は夕日に照らされ、影が長くなってます。歩いていて目に飛び込んで来るのは土手の所々に咲いてる「彼岸花」です。空気はきれいで、ウォーキングの目標である「姿勢よく、遠方を見つつ、手を後ろまでよく振り」ました。土手の遥か右遠方の深緑の森は私の遠い先祖が造ったと亡き母から聞いてる「長命稲荷」です。母はこの近くの木部地区で生まれ育ちました。昨日はこの「長命稲荷」まで歩いて参拝し、往復しました。

　ところで、３ヶ月分(９０日分)が掲載されてる日英対照「天声人語」はこの一ヶ月でどうにか半分読み終わり、一日二日分を目標にしてます。しかし、頭に入ったかどうかは別問題です。それでも、日々、集中する課題があることは生活に良いことと思ってます。ところで、人間の記憶力とは不思議なものです。簡単に覚えられてしまう単語と、いくらやってもダメなものが有ります。生活と結びついたものや私の興味関心事は有利に覚えられる気がします。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the way of memorizing English words and great music.

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

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

　It's 5:00 AM. I'm writing this Facebook post while gazing at the exceptionally bright "Morning Star" Venus in the clear eastern sky. Time truly flies. September ends today. ​​Sunrise today, September 30th, is at 5:38 AM, with a solar altitude of 50 degrees at noon, and sunset will be at 5:29 PM [in Gumma Prefecture]. From now on, sunsets will occur earlier day by day. This is why "Autumn days shorten rapidly," which is due to the Earth's slightly elliptical orbit, I guess.

　Yesterday evening, I went for a walk along the long embankment of the Kabura River in Kibe-town, Takasaki City, after a long interval. As you can see, the scenery was bathed in the setting sun, casting long shadows. What caught my eye as I walked were the "Cluster amaryllis" flowers blooming along the embankment. The air was fresh, and I focused on my walking purpose such as maintaining good posture, looking ahead, and swinging my arms behind me freely. The deep green forest far to the right of the embankment is "Chomei Inari Shrine" that means Longevity Shrine which my late mother told me was built by my distant ancestors in Edo period. My mother was born and raised around here in the Kibe Village. Yesterday, I walked to this "Chomei Inari Shrine" to pay my respects and then walked back.

　By the way, I've managed to read about half of the 90-day collection of "Tensei Jin-go" (a Japanese newspaper column) in English and Japanese, aiming for two day's pages a day. ​​However, whether I actually absorbed the information is another matter. Nevertheless, I think having a daily studying English is good for my life. Speaking of memory, it's truly fascinating. By the way, some words are easy to memorize new words, while others are impossible, no matter how much I try. Things related to my daily life or my interests seem to be easier to memorize.

　

暫くぶりに、鏑川の土手をウォーキング

　これから４時半頃よりウォーキングしてきます。今日、心に決めておくことは、姿勢を正しく歩きます。遠く前方を見て歩きます。腕は後方にも振ります。考えたり、ある人の顔を思い出すのは自由です。鏑川の土手を歩きます。では行ってきます。

Dear my friends

　I'm going to start walking around 4:30. Today, I'll make a firm commitment to walk with good posture. I'll look far ahead as I walk. I'll swing my arms behind me as well. It is free for me to think and remember a lady's face. I'll walk along the bank of the Kabra River. Well, I'm off.

植物を大切に！・・・光合成ほど有難いものはない

　　

　９月下旬になり、植物の色彩に変化が見られます。昨日は１０cmほどあるハクモクレンの実の色について書きましたが、写真の「マユミ」もご覧のように赤くなってきました。しかも、葉も変化してます。私の庭では植物の種が零れ、その子供が増えてますが、このマユミも自然に生えた高さ１メートルほどの子供です。

　私は家で一人なのに、子供の数が最も多いのは「花桃」です。このため春になると花桃はあちこちで咲きます。昔から「桃の節句」というように旧暦の３月３日頃【現行暦で４月中旬】２週間ほど咲きます。桃の花には優しさが漂い、開花日数が長いのが特徴です。来春はぜひ見にいらして下さい。お待ちしています。

　植物の子供と言えば、実は、サルスベリにも現在４本の子供が育ってます。ですから植物は考えられないほど大昔の石器時代より虫や蝶の媒介により授粉が行われ、子供が生え、生命に永遠性を齎してます。現在、私たちが見ている植物たちは、生命のバトンタッチの途中なのです。

　しかも、植物は光合成を行い、私たち人間や動物たちにとって不可欠な「酸素と食料を提供」してるのですから、この世で植物ほど有難いものはありません。私たちは植物によって生かされてます。今日も感謝しつつ井戸水を与えます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about raising plants and great music.

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

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

　As it approaches late September, we human begin to see changes in the colors of plants. Yesterday, I wrote about the color of the 10cm-long fruit of the white magnolia, and this time as you can see, the Mayumi tree in the photo is also starting to turn red. What's more, the leaves are changing, too. Plant seeds spilled in my garden, causing offspring to multiply, and this Mayumi tree is a naturally growing as an offspring, about 1 meter tall now.

　Even though I live alone, the peach tree has the most offspring. For this reason, peach blooms everywhere in the garden during spring. They bloom for about two weeks around March 3rd on the lunar calendar (mid-April in the modern calendar), traditionally known as "Peach Festival." As you know, peach blossoms exude a gentleness and their long blooming period.

　Please come and see them next spring without hesitation. I am looking forward to seeing you, to the core!

Speaking of baby plants, I actually currently have four baby crape myrtles growing. So, since the unimaginably ancient Stone Age, plants have been pollinated by insects and butterflies, producing offspring and bringing eternity to life. The plants we see today are in the process of passing on the baton of their lives.

　Furthermore, plants carry out photosynthesis that means providing oxygen and food, which are essential for us humans and animals, so there are nothing in this world more precious than plants. We are keeping alive by plants. Today, too, I water from well them with gratitude.

　

月がきれいに見える季節の到来

　今宵、西南の空に浮かぶ月です。少々薄雲の中にあり、明確度が今一です。それでも月面の日の出の部分では高い山脈が分かります。

　この月が日に日に大きくなると「中秋の名月」になります。その日は現行暦で今年は１０月６日です。江戸時代では秋は７月８月９月でしたから８月は中秋です。この日は太陰太陽暦(旧暦)で８月１５日です。

　いよいよ秋本番です。今宵、月を見逃した方は明日以降見ましょう。なお、この時、月面から地球を見ると全く逆で左側が広く光ってます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about astronomy

　Tonight, the moon floats in the southwestern sky in Japan. It is hidden by some thin clouds, making it less clear. Even so, we can see the high mountain ranges in the sunrise part of the moon's surface.

　As the moon grows larger day by day, it will become the "Mid-Autumn Festival." This year, that date falls on October 6th in the current calendar. As you know, in the Edo period, autumn consisted of July, August, and September, so August is the Mid-Autumn. This day is August 15th in the lunar calendar (old calendar).

　Autumn is finally here. If you missed the moon tonight, try to watch it tomorrow or later. At this time, if you look at our Earth from the moon's surface, the view is exactly the opposite, with a wide, shining area on the left side.

未来とは予想できないことも起こり得る

　「この実は何でしょう。」実は、庭のハクモクレンの実です。現在の実が上の写真で、左下が１０日ほど前に撮ったもので、右下が２週間ほど前に撮ったものです。秋と共に、色彩が赤く変化していることが分かります。

　このハクモクレンは３０年ほど前、私が未だ現役の若き日に埼玉県花園から「いすゞ１１７クーペ」のトランクに根だけを入れ、幹や枝は外に出して遥々運んできたものです。それが最近は高さ６ｍほどに成長したので、一度、小さな芽を二つ残し、幹の途中を切りました。ところが、生命力が強く、その芽が再び高さ５mほどに成長し、再度、一部の枝を切断したところ、購入以来、今年になって初めて実が生ったのです。

　それにしても、秋になってから日に日にきれいな色になりつつあります。実は、私はハクモクレンに実が生ることを知りませんでした。もしかして、私たちは自分では知らないだけで「未来に良いことが起こる」良い例かもしれません。果たして、私にもそんなことが起こるでしょうか。実は、今それを一番希望してます。

　家にいるだけでは人との交流が狭いです。毎日、運動方々あちこちに出かけつつ、新たな人脈を開拓し、一度きりの人生を人間らしく豊かに送りたいものです。珍しいハクモクレンの赤い実をご覧になりたい方は見にいらして下さい。お茶と共に、拙いピアノもお聴き戴ければ嬉しいです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about new interacting with people and great music.

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

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

　"Tell me about these fruits?" They're actually white magnolia fruits. The photo above shows the current fruit; the one on the bottom left was taken about 10 days ago, and the one on the bottom right was taken about two weeks ago. We can see that the color has changed to red with deepening autumn.

　I brought this white magnolia tree from Hanazono-town, Saitama Prefecture, about 30 years ago, when I was still young and active, carrying only the roots in the trunk of my Isuzu 117 Coupe, leaving the trunk and branches outside. It recently grew to a height of about 6m, so I cut it halfway down the trunk, leaving two small sprouts. However, it proved to be very vital energy and resilient, and the buds grew again to a height of about 5m. After cutting back some of the branches, fruit began to appear this year for the first time since I bought it.

　Now autumn is here in Japan, the color is becoming more beautiful with each passing day. To be honest, I didn't know white magnolias could bear fruit. Perhaps this is a good example of how good things can happen in the future, even if I don't realize it. Will that good things really happen to me? In fact, I hope for most right now.

　Staying at home limits the interaction with people. I want to exercise every day, by going out and exploring, meeting new connections, and my lifetime is one and only life to the fullest in a humane way. By the way, if you'd like to see the rare red berries of the white magnolia, please come and see it. I'd be happy if you could also listen to my humble piano playing along with some tea.

　

今日は暑かったので喫茶で涼む

　午後２時半頃から１時間ほど喫茶「さんぽ道」で、アイスコーヒーを飲みながら読書「明けない夜はない」を読みましたが、ちょっと暗く感じました。客がいなかったので、１０分ほどピアノを弾かせて戴き、「里の秋」、ジプシー民謡「花の季節」「マイムマイム」「コロブチカ」私のテーマ「ノクターン」です。

　その後、前橋の次女の家までスーパーのポイント券を２枚届けてきました。そのまま、高前バイパスのアウディーに立ち寄り、一周して来ました。これから、夕食の一杯が美味しくなるように２Kほどウォーキングしてきます。

　From around 2:30pm, I spent about an hour at the cafe "Sampo-michi" with drinking iced coffee and reading "There is no night that will not end" but it felt a little gloomy. Since there were no customers there, I was allowed to play the piano for about 10 minutes, playing "Autumn in the Countryside," the gypsy folk song "Flower Season," "Maim Maim," "Kolobchka," and my theme, "Nocturne in b moll."

　Afterwards, I delivered two supermarket point coupons to my second daughter's house in Maebashi. Then, I stopped by Audi dealer on the Takamae Bypass.From now on, I'm going to walk about 2km so that my dinner drink with thinking of you will taste better.

植物たちの成長を期して、日々水遣り

　秋分の日は、昼と夜の長さが同じではありません。昨日と今日が昼と夜の時間が１２時間ずつで同じです。明日からは夜の時間が多くなります。このため、短くなる昼の時間を有効に使いましょう。

　

　植物の成長を期して余分な枝の剪定、そして水遣りが日々の私の活動の一部です。植物には剪定すべきものと、剪定しない方が良いものがあります。上の写真は幹がS字状に曲がってる枝垂れ桜の幼木で、現在、高さが１ｍほどの八重桜です。このため、成長した姿を頭に描いてます。何故、幹が自然にカーブしてるのか、園芸士が上手く曲げたのかは分かりませんが、きれいに曲ってます。このまま成長すれば開花してない時季もその姿は観賞に値するでしょう。前の道からよく見える築山に植えてあり、幼木でも成長が良いので来春は咲く気配です。

　写真左下は２年前に植えたイチジクの幼木です。車庫に降った雨水を防火用水に溜めて与えており、成長が早く、今では私の背を抜いてます。果たして美味しい実が生るでしょうか。楽しみです。生ったら味見にいらして下さい。同様に、右下はカッキー家の柿で、やはり幼木です。こちらも背がぐんぐん伸びてます。「桃栗三年、柿８年」と言われることから、実が生るのは数年後でしょうが、是非、味見にいらして下さい。品種名は「太秋」と言います。

　現在午前６時です。私自身の健康を期して、これからラジオ体操会に行ってきます。朝食前にウォーキングを含め３０分間、全身を動かすので、お腹が空いて朝食が美味しいです。今日も天気が良いので、外出し、活動的な一日を過ごしたいです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about interacting with people and great music.

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

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

　On the autumnal equinox, the length of day and night are not the same. Yesterday and today had the same 12 hours of daylight and nighttime. After tomorrow, nighttime hours will be increased. Make good use of the shortened daylight hours.

　Pruning excess branches and watering plants are one of my daily routines to expect their growth. Some plants should be pruned, while others should leave unpruned. As you see, the photo above shows a young weeping cherry tree with S-shaped trunk. It's a double-flowered cherry tree about 1 meter tall currently. I am expecting to visualize its fully grown. I don't know why the trunk curves naturally or if possible a horticulturist bent it skillfully, but it's beautifully curved. If it continues to grow like this condition, its appearance will be worth admiring even season when it's not in bloom. It's planted in an artificial hill that's easily visible from the path in front, and even though it's young, I expect it will bloom next spring.

　The photo on the bottom left shows a young fig tree I planted two years ago. I collect rainwater from the garage for Audi TT and use it as a fire prevention water, and it's growing quickly; it's now taller than me. I wonder if it will bear delicious fruit? I'm looking forward to it. Please come and pick it when it bears. Similarly, the bottom right shows the Persimmon Marsh family's persimmon, also a young tree. This one is also growing rapidly. As the old saying indicates, "peaches and chestnuts take three years to bear, persimmons take eight," so it will be a few years before the fruit bears fruit, but please come and try to taste. The variety's name is "Taishu".

　It's currently 6am. In the expectation of my own health, I'm going to go to a radio gymnastics session in the park. I'll be moving my whole body for 30 minutes, including walking, before breakfast, so I'm hungry and breakfast will taste delicious. The weather is nice again today, so I'd like to go out and have an active day.

放送原稿風に新聞音読・・・上毛新聞「みんなのひろば」より

　友人「時計屋の隣りさん」の投稿文が群馬県の上毛新聞に掲載されました。誠におめでとうございます。

　つきましては、県外の方々にも、ぜひ、お読み戴きたいと思います。以下がその記事です。

　　　　　　タイトル・・・・・・「放送原稿風に新聞音読」

　子どもの頃から教科書や本を声に出して読むのが好きだった。今は新聞記事の音読が日課になっている。音読は黙読よりも文章に丁寧に向き合う必要があり、内容をしっかり理解していなければできない。声に出すことで、言葉の意味や構造がより深く心に染み込むのを感じる。

　新聞記事のニュースは簡潔で堂々とした文体が特徴だ。放送読みには、耳にすっと入ってくる流麗さがあり、できればニュースアナウンサーのように読みたいという憧れもある。そこで私は、新聞記事を放送原稿風に手直ししてから音読している。

　具体的には、語尾の「だ・である」調を「です・ます」調に整え、時事用語には補足を加えて、文章の流れの中に自然に落とし込む。読みやすさを意識して、読点も多めに使うようにしている。納得のいく原稿に仕上がると、朗々と読み上げ、アナウンサーになったような気分を楽しんでいる。

　音読は、発音は滑舌の訓練になるだけでなく、文章を再構築する創造的な作業でもあり、脳の活性化にも役立っている。新聞の音読を、一風変わった特技として、これからも大切に育てていきたい。

外国の方と交流したい

　昨日の夕方のウォーキングコースは約２.５㎞で、最近よく行く 倉賀野駅東の鯉池一周です。理由の一つは、涼しくなったので、もしかして「ロシアから渡り鳥の鴨たちが飛来してるかな」と期待していたからです。しかし、未だ１羽もいませんでした。１０月半ばの飛来でしょうか。このコースは往きは良いのですが、帰路に倉賀野駅構内の長く高い階段の通路【写真右下】を通過します。切符売り場の所に辿り着いたらちょっと疲れを感じ、椅子に座って１０分ほど休憩してました。

　夕方５時３０分頃だったので、倉賀野で働いてる通勤客が多く、電車を利用して帰路に着く方々が目に入ります。その光景は予想外に外国出身の女性が多いことです。風貌からして南米か、南アジアからのように見受けられ、忙しそうなので私は声を掛けませんでしたが、観察しててちょっと寂しく感じるのは「日本人との交流が殆どない」ことです。彼女たちもそう感じているかもしれません。

　私は外国の方がいて忙しそうでなれけば、なるべく声を掛けるように努めてます。先ず「お国はどちらですか。」に始まり、「もう日本に来てどのくらい経ちますか。」などで口火を切り、「日本での住み心地はどうですか。」などと訊きます。明らかにインド人やネパール人のときは、ヒンディー語で尋ねると驚いた様子になります。

　先日、やはりウォーキング中、烏川の橋の上で会った女性に「アップカーハンセーアーターハイ」(どちらから来られたのですか。)と聞いたらネパールの方で、倉賀野にお住まいとのことでした。「私も昔ネパールに行きヒマラヤ山脈を見ました。」と話したら、目を丸くし嬉しかったようです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about interacting with foreigner and great music.

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

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

　Yesterday evening's walking course was about 2.5 km, and I took a walk around the Carp Pond where is east of Kuragano-Station. I've been this course frequenting lately. One reason was cooler, so that I hope to see migratory ducks arriving from Russia. However, there wasn't a single one yet. Perhaps it's mid-October, I guess. This course is fine on the way there, but on the way back, I pass through a long, high-staircase corridor inside Kuragano-Station (see photo, bottom right). I felt a bit tired when I reached the ticket counter, so I sat down in a chair and took a 10-minute break.

　It was around 5:30 pm, so there were many commuters working in Kuragano, and I saw many of them returning home by taking train. Surprisingly, there were many women of foreign origin. Judging from their appearance, they might be from South America or South Asia, and they seemed busy, so I didn't say anything to them. However, observing them, I felt a little lonely, because realizing that they rarely interact with Japanese people. Perhaps they felt the same way.

　If I'm around foreigners and they don't seem busy, I try to speak to them as much as possible. I start by asking, "Where are you from?", "How long have you been in Japan?", and then ask, "How is it living here in Japan?" when they are clearly Indian or Nepalese, they seem surprised when I ask in Hindi.

　The other day, while I was walking, I met a lady on a bridge over the Karas River and asked her, "Up kahan se aata hai" (Where are you from?), and she told me she was from Nepal and lived in Kuragano. When I told her, "I also went to Nepal at Katmandu a long time ago and saw the Himalayan Range," her eyes widened and she seemed happy.

　

未だ満開が続く百日紅

　今夏が特別に暑かったためでしょう。私の誕生日に咲き始めた庭のサルスベリは未だ満開の状況です。原生地は中国南部と言われる通り南国の植物なので、今夏は過ごしやすかったのでしょう。倉賀野町の中でもサルスベリとして巨樹の様相を呈してきてます。私の使命は余り枝を剪定せず、自然に育てつつ井戸水をたっぷり与えることです。

　一方、鷹など天敵から見つけられ難いのでしょう。また、私が用意してる水があるからでしょう。キジバトの番が度々来て休んでいます。彼らも安心して過ごせる場所を求めているのでしょう。サルスベリは未だしばらく咲いてますので倉賀野を通過するときは、お立ち寄り戴き、ぜひサルスベリの情熱を観賞してください。郵便局の近くです。このサルスベリを山小屋風の三階から眺めると一味違います。

　Because this summer has been especially hot. The crape myrtle in my garden which began blooming on my birthday, is still in full bloom. As you know, it's a tropical plant, as her native habitat is said to be southern China, so perhaps this summer has been pleasant. Even within Kuragano-Town, she is becoming the appearance of a giant crape myrtle. My mission is to not prune the branches too much, so as to grow naturally while providing her with plenty of well water.

　On the other hand, it may be difficult for natural predators like hawks to find them. Perhaps it's also because of the water I provide. Turtle doves often come here to rest. Here is a place where they can feel safe. The crape myrtle will still be in bloom for a while, so if you're passing through Kuragano by car, please stop by without hesitation and enjoy the view. It's near the Kuragano post office. Viewing this crape myrtle from the third-floor which is mountain-hut-style room is quite fantastic.

情熱も体力もあった若き日

  【山の写真はクリックし拡大してご覧下さい。臨場感が出ます。】

　写真の三角錐の山は群馬県の中央に聳える榛名山系・水沢山【標高１１９４m】です。昭和時代に２人の娘を連れて、この尖った山頂へ登りました。未だよちよち歩きだった写真の次女をずっと背負って登ったのですから、当時の私は体力も情熱もあったのですね。

　この辺は太平洋からも日本海からもほぼ同じ距離にあると言われ、同時に日本のほぼ真ん中と考えられます。高崎市の方から見ると榛名山の最も東に位置する峰です。後方に見える市街地は渋川市です。以前に、榛名山系の隣りの雌岳(めだけ)の山頂に登ったとき急に視界に入って来たのがこの三角錐の水沢山で驚いたものです。この写真を撮った雌岳の山頂は群馬県人でも登る人が少ないです。しかし、ここから眺める水沢山の光景はため息が出るほど素晴らしくお薦めです。

　ところで、今朝は７時４０分より倉賀野小学校児童のための交通指導が学校近くの信号機の所であり、私は黄色いユニフォームを着てまじめにやります。２００名程の子供たちがこの横断歩道を渡ります。この交差点は通勤の車が多く、子供たちの退避場所も狭く、目が離せません。このため、私の朝食は交通指導が終わってから戴きます。今日は秋らしい良い気候なので自然散策を予定してます。

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.

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

　The triangular mountain in the photo is Mt. Mizusawa (1,194m above sea level), part of the Haruna mountain range, towering in the center of Gumma Prefecture. During the end of Showa era, I took my two daughters and climbed this summit. I carried my second daughter who was still a toddler in the photo, on my back the whole route up, so I was quite physical and passionate at the time.

　This area is said to be roughly the same distance from the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of ​​Japan side, and is also considered roughly the center of Japan. Seen from Takasaki City, this is the easternmost peak of Mt. Haruna. The urban area visible in the background is the city of Shibukawa. I was surprised when previously climbing to the summit of Mt. Me-dake, next to the Haruna mountain range, the triangular Mt. Mizusawa suddenly came into view. Few people, even in Gumma Prefecture, climb the peak of Mt. Me-dake. However, the view of Mt. Mizusawa from here is breathtakingly beautiful, and I highly recommend you to visit.

　Not change the subject, but this morning from 7:40am, I will practice the traffic instruction for the students of Kuragano Elementary School at the traffic lights near the school, and I will be doing it diligently in my yellow uniform. Around 200 children will cross this crosswalk. This intersection is crowded with commuting cars and there is little place to wait for the children, so I have to keep an eye on them. For this reason, I will be having my breakfast alone after the traffic instruction session is over. Today is a lovely autumn day in Gumma Prefecture, so I am planning to go for a walk in nature.

　

有意義だった今日の午後

　午後になってからドライブ方々、吉井ドリームセンターに行き、さっぱりしてきました。一旦、家に帰ってから、今度は喫茶「さんぼ道」へ直行し、１時間ほど寛ぎました。どちらも空いてました。この二か所は私の生活の一部になってます。

　昔、吉井ドリームセンターでＰＴＡの会合があったとき、倉賀野から歩いて行ったことが思い出されました。３時間かかりました。今より若かったのです。今度はもっと豊かな自然の中をどなたかと一緒に歩きたいです。

　In the afternoon today, I went for a drive and arrived at the Yoshii Dream Center for bathing. After returning home, I then headed straight to the "Sampo-michi" cafe and relaxed for about an hour. Both places were quite empty today. These two places have become integral of my daily life.

　I remembered that 25 years ago, when there was a PTA meeting at the Yoshii Dream Center, I walked there from Kuragano-town. It took me three hours on foot. I was younger then. Now, I would like to go for a walk through lush natural surrounding with someone, if possible with lady, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

次第に昼の時間が短くなり、これは一つのチャンス

　昨日の秋分の日は「昼と夜の時間が同じである」と思いがちです。しかし、太陽は、星のように点ではなく、上下に幅があります。日の出の定義は「太陽の上が出た瞬間」であり、日の入りの定義は「太陽の上が見えなくなった瞬間」です。このため調べてみたところ、秋分の日は「昼の長さが８分ほど長い」です。

　国立天文台の発表によると、９月２６日の日の出は５時３５分、日の入りは１７時３５分【群馬県】で、昼と夜の長さが丁度１２時間ずつです。しかし、実際には群馬県では西方は山岳地帯のため、日の入りは上記より１０分ほど早いです。

　今日の正午の太陽高度は５３°です。これからは冬至の３０°に向って日に日に低くなります。環境に左右されやす私の気持ちはつい心細くなります。しかし、肉体と精神を鍛えつつ、目標に向かって生活したいものです。退職後、年を重ねても健康に暮らす秘訣の一つは目標を持ち、今まで出来なかったことを少しでも達成しつつ生き甲斐を感じることでしょう。目標は他人は立ててくれません。自分で決定しなくてはなりません。

　私の目標は、先ず、栄養バランスを考慮した食事、及び植物の世話を通じて適度な運動です。次が音楽表現、そして、生活に結びついた英単語熟語を覚えることです。写真右下は近年の単語帳です。やはり書いて、発音し、例文によって覚えるようにしてます。しかし、覚えられるのは三分の一ほどでしょう。

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.

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

　On yesterday's autumnal equinox, many people including me tend to think of that the length of day and night is equal. However, the sun is not a point like a star; it has a range due to circle. Sunrise is defined as "the moment the sun's head appears," and sunset is defined as "the moment the sun's head disappears." So I investigate about it and found that on the autumnal equinox, "daylight is about eight minutes longer."

　According to the National Astronomical Observatory, sunrise on September 26th will be at 5:35 a.m. and sunset will be at 5:35 p.m. [Gumma Prefecture], meaning that day and night are exactly 12 hours long. However, in reality, due to mountainous terrain to the west of Gumma Prefecture, therefore, sunset actually occurs about 10 minutes earlier than stated above.

　Today, the sun's altitude at noon will be 53°. From now on, it will decrease daily toward 30° at the winter solstice. I am easily affected by the environment, I feel uneasy. However, I want to train my body and mind and live my life toward my purpose. One of the keys to living a healthy life as we age after retirement is to have goals and find meaning in life by achieving even a little bit of what we couldn't do before. Other people can't set our goals, we have to decide it for myself.

　My purposes are, first, to eat a nutritionally balanced diet and get moderate exercise by caring for plants and walking. Next is musical expressions such as playing the piano and soprano saxophone, and then to memorize English words and phrases related to my life. The photo on the bottom right is a recent vocabulary book. As usual, I try to memorize by writing, pronouncing, and using example sentences. However, I probably only remember about a third of the words.

　　

秋分の日の地球の位置と太陽高度

　今日は秋分の日ですから、公転している地球は特別な位置に来てます。太陽が真東から昇り、赤道の上を通過し、真西に沈みます。ですから、今日の太陽の真下が赤道です。

　今日の太陽の角度は９０°から皆さんがお住い地域の緯度を引いた度数です。例えば群馬県はほぼ北緯３６、５°ですから、９０°－３６．５°＝５３．５°です。このため、太陽高度は地平線に対し５３．５°です。因みに日本最北の稚内市の位置は北緯４５°ですから９０°－４５°＝４５°で太陽高度は４５°です。一方、先島諸島の宮古島は北緯２５°ですから９０°－2５°＝６５°で、太陽高度は６５°です。

　一方、地球が差し掛かってる公転上の位置は深夜０時に真南を見れば分かります。そこにはインドの形にそっくりな「魚座」が来ています。ですから、今日、地球は黄道十二星座の「魚座」の方向に浮んでます。「魚座」のすぐ下が天の赤道です。また、地球から見る太陽は反対側なので「乙女座」の方向にあります。

　ですから、占星術では９月中旬に生まれた人の星座は「乙女座」です。しかし、占星術の星座は紀元前の星座を使っているので、２１世紀の現在では、星座の位置は２週間ほどズレてます。これは地球の歳差運動が原因してます。生まれたとき太陽の背景にあった黄道十二星座が、あなたの星座です。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the astronomy of autumnal equinox and great music.

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

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

　Today is the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, so the Earth is in a special position in space as it revolves around the sun. The sun rises due east, passes over the equator, and sets due west. Therefore, the equator is directly below today's sun.

　Today's sun's angle is 90° minus the latitude of your area. For example, Gumma Prefecture is approximately 36.5° north latitude, so 90° - 36.5° = 53.5°. Therefore, the sun's altitude above the horizon at noon is 53.5°. Incidentally, Wakkanai City, the northernmost place in Japan, is located at 45° north latitude, so 90° - 45° = 45°, therefore the sun's altitude is 45°. On the other hand, Miyako Island in the Sakishima Islands is situated at 25° north latitude, so 90° - 25° = 65°, therefore the sun's altitude is 65°.

　Meanwhile, the orbital position of the Earth is approaching by looking due south at midnight. Pisces, which looks very similar to the shape of India, is located there. So today, the Earth is floating in the direction of Pisces, one of the twelve zodiac constellations. Directly below Pisces is the celestial equator. Also, as the sun is on the opposite side from the Earth, it is in the direction of Virgo.

　Therefore, in astrology, the zodiac sign for people born in mid-September is Virgo. However, astrology use the constellations from before Christ, so in the 21st century, the positions of the constellations are off by about two weeks or so. This is due to the precession of the Earth. When you were born, the 12 zodiac constellations behind the sun is your zodiac sign.

　

大鶴巻古墳は私のウォーキングコース

【写真をクリックし、拡大すると登りたくなるでしょう。】

　この写真は冬に撮った倉賀野町の宝・前方後円墳「大鶴巻古墳」です。山頂への道もはっきりしています。昨日、私はこの山頂で「テッポウ」しました。気持ちは未だ若いのでしょうか。これからは次第に登り易くなるでしょう。尚、このすぐ北には「小鶴巻古墳」が並んであります。

Dear my friends

　This photo was taken in winter of Ohzurumaki which is a front square and rear round burial mound, that is the treasure of Kuragano-Town. The path to the summit is clear in winter season. Yesterday, I exercised push-ups against the acacia tree on the summit. I guess I'm still young at heart. From now on, the climb will gradually become easier. Just north of here, there is another tumulus called kozurumaki burial mound.

大鶴巻古墳山頂からの眺め

　群馬県の今日９月２２日の日の出は５時３１分、正午の太陽高度は５３°、日の入りは１７時４１分です。このため昼の長さは１２時間１０分です。今朝５時の外気温は１５℃です。ずいぶん涼しくなりました。私は６月頃から何処へ行くにも半ズボンでしたが、３日ほど前から長ズボンに変わりました。

　写真は昨日・夕刻に一人で登った倉賀野町の名所・大鶴巻古墳の頂上から見た赤城山です。クリックし拡大してご覧ください。下の写真は頂上の様子です。高い位置からは高い山が雄大に見えます。山頂の樹木は殆どが大きなアカシヤです。ところで、夕暮れの古墳の上で「私は一人で黙々とあることをしました。何をしたと思いますか。」それは太いアカシヤの木を使って「テッポウ」しました。ここまで歩いたり、山頂に登ったりして足は鍛えたので、今度は上半身を鍛えました。テッポウは肩幅に、延いては大切な呼吸にも効果があると感じてます。

　ところで、最近、この大鶴巻に登る人は殆どいないようです。というのは近くの道路からこの古墳までの小道が全く無くなっていたからです。私は長く育った植物をかき分け古墳に近づき、その後も登山道は無く、黙々と山頂をめざしました。山頂はご覧の通り、広々しており、動きやすかったです。今後、秋から冬にかけては登り易くなるでしょう。大鶴巻古墳に行ってみたい人はご案内します。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the pleasure of daily life and great music.

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

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

　In Gumma Prefecture today, September 22nd, sunrise was at 5:31 AM, the sun's altitude at noon will be 53°, and sunset will be at 5:41 PM. This means the length of daylight is 12 hours and 10 minutes. The outside temperature at 5 AM this morning was １５°C. It's became much cooler. I've been wearing shorts since around June, but I've switched to long pants three days ago.

　The photo shows Mt. Akagi as seen from the top of Ohzurumaki burial mound, a famous spot in Kuragano-Town that I climbed alone yesterday evening. The photo below shows the summit. From this high vantage point, the high mountain looks more majestic. Most of the trees on the peak are large acacia trees. By the way, on top of this burial mound at dusk, "I did something alone, in silence. What do you think I did?" I used a thick acacia tree to "teppou" (like a pushing up). I'd worked out my legs by walking up here and climbing to the summit, so now I was working out my upper body. I feel that it is effective for shoulder width, and ultimately on breathing.

　By the way, it seems that hardly anyone has been climbing Ootsurumaki recently. This is because the path from the nearby road to this ancient tumulus has completely disappeared. I pushed my way through the long-grown grasses to approach the tumulus, and there was no further hiking trail, so I silently headed for the summit. As you can see in the photo, the summit is spacious and easy to move around in. From now on, it will probably become easier to climb from autumn into winter. If you would like to visit this Ohzurumaki burial mound, I would be happy to show you around.

　　

夕食前に古墳に登る

　夕食前に、一歩きしてきます。場所は倉賀野の特徴の一つである「大鶴巻古墳」の頂上へ登って涼しい秋風に触れてきます。頂上には樹木がたくさん生えてますが、整備されており、景色はなかなか良いです。

　P.S・・・夕暮れであったことから山頂は静けさが漂ってました。遥か古の5世紀を一人偲びました。往復２Kほどでしたが、良い運動になり、その後、寂しい中にも美味しい一杯になりました。

   Before dinner, I'll take a walk and climb to the top of Otsurumaki burial mound made around 5th century, I guess. This is one of the distinctive features of Kuragano-town. I enjoy the cool autumn breeze. There were many zelkova trees on the top, but it is well maintained and the view will be quite breath-taking beyond description.

  P.S...It was dusk, so the summit was quiet. Nobody is there. I was reminiscing about the distant 5th century. It was about 2km round trip, but it was a good workout, and even though it was lonely, I had a delicious drink. 

やはり、異性がいると偏りがなくて楽しい

　人間は誰でも日々安穏で、事故や事件がない方がいいに決まってます。私にとって、ドライブは大きな楽しみであり、今のところ、免許返納はとても考えられません。未だ、しばらくは低山など何処へでも行きたいし、いよいよ本格的な秋なので熊に気をつけつつ、群馬の山歩きをします。車が好きでも、車のみに頼ることをせず、毎朝、ラジオ体操会場まで往復歩き、健脚をめざします。

　年令を重ねてから、多少危ないことや怖いことを一切しなくなると、用心深くなり過ぎて、その結果、家の中に閉じ籠る時間が増え、珍しい、おもしろい体験ができません。先ず、足腰が弱り、生活が悪循環になるでしょう。冒険は本来、時間のある高齢者の特権です。昨日は夕食に高崎市内まで電車で行き、その後、食事処までかなり歩きました。夕食は「話の合う人たちと摂ると本当に楽しく」、２時間くらいはすぐに経ってしまう印象です。

　現役時代をどんな地位に就いていた方であろうと、退職後、それは一切関係がなくなり、同じ立場で箸を並べてともに食事をしたい。それから、やっぱり「異性がいた方が話に偏りがなくて」ずっと楽しい。これは私の本当の感想です。今日は午前９時３０分から、地区の防災訓練に参加します。訓練と共に、多くの人に会えるで楽しみです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the pleasure of daily life and great music.

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

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

　Of course, everyone prefers a peaceful life with no accidents or incidents. Driving is a great pleasure for me, and for now, I can't imagine giving up my driver's license. I still want to go anywhere, including low mountains, for a while, and now that autumn is finally here, I'm going to go hiking in the mountains of Gumma Prefecture, being careful of appearance of bears. Even though I love cars, I don't rely solely on car named Audi TT. I walk to and from the radio gymnastics venue at the park every morning, striving to keep my legs strong.

　As we get older, if we stop doing anything even slightly dangerous or scary, we tend to become overly cautious, which results in us spending more time indoors and missing out on unique and interesting experiences. First, our legs and back will weaken, and our life will fall into a vicious cycle. Adventure is essentially the privilege of older people who have time to spare. Yesterday, I took the train from Kuragano to Takasaki city for dinner, then walked quite a distance to the tavern named "Buku". Dinner was "really fun when I was with people I could talk to," therefore the two hours seemed to pass by in an instant.

　No matter what position someone held during their active career, once they retire it will no longer matter and we will want to sit down together on the same sitting and eat together. Also, it is much more fun when there is someone of the opposite sex, as the conversation is less biased. This is my honest opinion to the core. Today, from 9:30 a.m., I will be participating in the local disaster prevention drill. I am looking forward to meeting many people at the district during the drill.

　

今日の午後は防災訓練の準備に従事

　明日、倉賀野上四公園では、一般住民のための「防災訓練」が行われます。このため、今日の午後１時より、役員２０名程でテント張り、及び、炊き出しの「おにぎり作り」の練習が行われました。

　明日９時３０分より、消防署員の指導の下、一般の住民は地震の揺れを体験する「起震車」に乗り、震度５程度の揺れを体験します。例年、子供の中には怖くて泣き出す子もいます。大人も突然来る地震と、それに伴う火災を想定し、消化器の実践訓練、人工呼吸法の実践、負傷者の運搬法、全員でバケツリレーを行います。

　これらの行事を通して、上四地区の防災意識の高揚と仲間意識が一層密なるでしょう。ところで、今宵、私は高崎の某所で前祝です。お許し願います。

Dear my Facebook friends

　A disaster prevention drill for the general residents will be held tomorrow at Kuragano Kam-4th Park. For the preparation of that, we 20 officials practiced pitching tents and making rice balls.

　Tomorrow at 9:30 AM, under the supervision of fire department personnel, general residents will ride in a shaking vehicle to experience earthquake that will shake of approximately magnitude 5. As the case every year, some children burst into tears in fear. Adults will also practice using fire extinguishers, artificial respiration, transporting injured people, and a bucket relay, simulating a sudden earthquake and resulting fire.

　These events will raise disaster prevention awareness and further strengthen the sense of community in the Kam-4th district. By the way, tonight is a pre-celebration event for me at the tavern "Baku" in Takasaki. Would you please forgive me!

写真を見て、地球の真の姿を想像

　「あれっ！　カッキー、写真が上下逆さまですよ。」と、一瞬、言われそうです。実は、昨日の夕方、倉賀野駅近くの「鯉池」一周ウォーキング中、無風だったことから湖面に写った送電塔や対岸の景色が目に入り、思わずシャッターを切りました。湖面は、その時の気象条件により、平素、目にしないことが起こるものです。

　この写真をクリックし拡大して見て、私は怖くもなりました。実は、私たちは通常「空はどこにあるか」と聞かれれば、小さい頃から上を指差しました。しかし、よーく考えれば、私たちの地球は宇宙に浮かんでいるので、現実にはこのように、空は私たちの下にも無限に深く広がっているのです。

　地球の裏側、つまり日本の対蹠点はアルゼンチンあたりですが、日本から見れば、アルゼンチンの上ではなく「下には空が広がってる」事実があります。つまり、私たちは今の瞬間も大宇宙の真っ只中に浮いてるのです。ブログでは、二十四節気の日に度々「公転中の地球は今どこを進んでいるでしょう。」と尋ねることがあります。そして、地球の位置を黄道十二星座の方向で示しますが、このように宇宙のことを考える場合の基本は、私たち自身が宇宙空間に浮いてることを念頭に入れて考えると理解しやすいです。

　今日は、私たちの下には何もないことを意識されたかもしれません。このため、ちょっと怖くなった方もおられるでしょうが、申し訳ありません。忘れてください。もうすぐ、秋分の日で「暑い寒いも彼岸まで」と昔の人はいいことを述べてます。次第に涼しくなるでしょう。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the reality of our earth and great music.

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

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

　For a moment, you might say, "Hey! Kakky, the photo is upside down today." Actually, yesterday evening, while walking around the Koi Pond near Kuragano-Station, there was no wind, so that the power transmission tower and the view of the opposite shore were reflected in the lake's surface. I couldn't help but click the shutter. Depending on the weather conditions at the time, unusual views can happen on the lake's surface.

　When I clicked on this photo and enlarged it, and looked at it, I was a little frightened. In fact, when I was asked, "Where is the sky?", we usually point up from a young age. But if we think about it carefully, our Earth floats in space, and in reality, the sky extends infinitely deep below us, as shown here.

　The other side of the Earth, that is, the antipodes of Japan, is around Argentina, but when we consider in Japan, the sky is actually "below," not above Argentina. In other words, even at this very moment, we are floating in the middle of the vast universe. On Facebook, on the days of the 24 solar terms, I often ask, "Where is the Earth moving in its orbit today?" Then the Earth's position in its orbit is indicated by the direction of the 12 zodiac constellations, and when thinking about the universe in this way, it's easy to understand for us, if we keep in mind that we ourselves are floating in space.

　Today, you may have been aware that there is nothing below us. This may have scared some of you, but I apologize. Please forget about it as sooner as possible. The autumnal equinox is coming up soon, and as the ancients said, "It's hot or cold until the equinox." It will gradually get cooler in Japan.

　

心が安らぐ喫茶「さんぽ道」

　先程、午後３時頃より一時間ほど「さんぽ道」で気分転換してきました。私には生活のマンネリ化からの脱却が必須で、何でもよいから通常とは異なる環境に自らを置く必要があります。その点でこの喫茶はとてもいいです。特に、広大な自然環境はピカ一で店内も落ち着きがあり、ママさんたち職員の方々も明るく接してくれます。

　孤独な私はいつも一人で行きますが、コーヒーを飲みつつ本を読んだり、時にはピアノを弾かせて戴き、ママさんと話したり、偶然、出会ったお客さんと話ができ、知り合いになることもあります。

　今日はこれから夕食前に倉賀野を２Kほどウォーキングし、お腹を空かせます。【内心はビールが美味しくなるためです。】

 
・・・本文と英文は微妙に異なります。・・・

Dear my Facebook friends

　I just returned home from the favorite cafe "Sampo-michi" due to refresh myself about an hour. It's essential for me to break out of the monotony daily routine, so I need to put myself in any environment that's different from my usual. This cafe is great in the vast natural environment which is particularly impressive, the interior is calming, and the owner and other staff are very welcoming.

　As you know, I'm a lonely person, so I always go alone there, but I enjoy reading a book over iced coffee, sometimes playing the piano, chatting with the owner, and sometimes even meeting customers by chance, which leads to new acquaintances of lady.

　Today, from now on I'm going to walk about 2km around Kuragano-town before dinner to increase the appetite. [My secret is to make the beer taste better together with you.]

倉賀野へようこそ

　昨日から拙いブログに９００件以上のアクセスがあり、こんなに多くのアクセスを戴いたことは初めてです。感謝申し上げます。

　群馬県の今日の日の出は５時２９分、正午の太陽高度は５５°、日の入りは１７時４６分予定です。夏至の頃に比較すると昼の長さが２時間以上も短くなりました。今朝６時の外気温は２４℃で誠に涼しく感じます。こんな気温の変化は風邪を引きやすいです。お互いに注意しましょう。

　写真の「倉賀野へようこそ」は倉賀野中学校美術部の生徒さんたちが描いたもので、倉賀野駅構内の長い通路に飾ってあります。写真は左下から、天明３年【1783】の浅間山の大噴火では倉賀野にも火山灰が田畑にたくさん積もり、農業が大打撃を受けた当時に造られた農業用水で現在の名は「鯉池」です。巨樹は倉賀野小学校の南にある「欅の木」で、ご覧の通り、幹の途中に不思議な穴が開いてます。持ち主に訊いても「昔から開いていた」というだけで倉賀野で一つの不思議です。右は閻魔様です。下町の追分に位置する閻魔堂内にあり、８月１６日の盆明けの祭りに公開されます。

　一方、倉賀野には古墳がたくさんあったと伝えられますが、その後、多くは田畑にされたと言われます。現在、私が確認できるのは６基です。中でも、浅間山(せんげんやま)古墳、大鶴巻古墳【昨日の写真】、小鶴巻古墳は５世紀頃の原形を留めており、一見に値します。すべて頂上に登れます。このように倉賀野には多くの古墳があり、その後、城下町、宿場町、倉賀野河岸として東西に長く広がり、現在でも、大きく上町、仲町、下町に区分されてます。しかも、奈良・京都に近い方が上町となっていることから、その歴史は優に１０００年以上と推測されます。

　倉賀野という地名の由来については、烏川の南側から見ると「長い崖の上に広がる野原」でした。昔は崖のことを「倉」と呼び、その上に広がる野原であったことから「倉賀野」と命名されたと歴史家は述べてます。

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

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

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

　In Gumma Prefecture, sunrise today was at 5:29 AM, the sun's altitude at noon will be 55°, and sunset will be at 5:46 PM. Compared to the summer solstice, daylight hours are more than two hours shorter. The outside temperature at 6 AM this morning was 24°C, which feels quite cool. Temperature changes like this make it easy to catch a cold. Let's take care of each other.

　The "Welcome to Kuragano" pictured here was painted by students of Kuragano Junior High School's art club and is displayed in the long corridor inside Kuragano-Station. From the bottom left, the image shows an irrigation pond built known as "Carp Pond," which was constructed after the 1783 eruption of Mt. Asama, which caused volcanic ash to accumulate on the fields in Kuragano and dealt a major blow to agriculture. Since my garden used to be a field, layers of volcanic ash are found when I dig in. The giant tree is a zelkova tree located south of Kuragano Elementary School. As you can see, there is a mysterious hole halfway up the trunk. Even when I asked the owner, he simply said, "It's been open since ancient times," making it one of the mysteries of Kuragano. On the right is the statue of Enma. It is located inside Enma-shrine, located in fork, Shimocho-district, and is open to the public during the Bon Festival on August 16th.

　Kuragano is said to have had many ancient tombs, but many of them were later turned into farmland. Currently, I have confirmed six. Of these, Sengenyama-Tomb, Otzurumaki-Tomb (photo from yesterday), and Kozurumaki-Tomb retain their original form since around the 5th century and are worth seeing. You can climb to the top of all of them. As you can see, Kuragano has many ancient tombs, and later expanded east to west as a castle town, post town, and Kuragano-Riverbank. Even today, it is roughly divided into Kamicho, Nakacho, and Shmocho. Moreover, since the Kamicho area is closest to Nara and Kyoto, its history is estimated to be well over 1,000 years old, I guess.

　The origin of the place name Kuragano is that when viewed from the south side such as Karasu River, it was a "field spreading out on top of a long cliff." Historians say that in the past, cliffs were called "kura in Japanese," so that the area was named "Kuragano" because it was a field that spread out on top of them.

　　

歴史散策に倉賀野を歩いてみてください。

　倉賀野で生まれ育った私は、いつまでも健脚をめざし、上毛三山【赤城、榛名、妙義】を眺めつつ、度々、故郷・倉賀野をウォーキングしてます。南には一級河川・烏川が流れ、この一帯も歩くのによい眺めです。ここは昔「倉賀野河岸」があったところです。江戸から高瀬舟で運んだ塩や海産物をここで降ろし、上州はもちろん、遠く信州、越後へ牛で運んだと伝えられます。このため、倉賀野には今でも「牛街道」という名の道が残ってます。帰りの高瀬舟で、こちらで穫れた農作物を江戸に運んだと言われます。

　以前に書きましたが、私の祖父母は明治初期に埼玉県の原道村から高瀬舟で倉賀野河岸に着き、ここ倉賀野で「原道屋」という金物屋を営み始めました。この屋号は懐かしい故郷の名を取ったものです。祖父母は私が生まれたときはすでに他界しており、会うことはできませんでした。しかし、私は祖父母の故郷が見たくて、一度、原道村を訪れたことがあります。今でも原道小学校があり、学校へ行って卒業生名簿を見せてもらいました。しかし、祖父母の名は載ってませんでした。祖父母は幕末に生まれたからです。同様に、私は母方の祖父母にもこの世で会ってません。

　ところで、先日、倉賀野駅の長い通路を通っていたら、倉賀野中美術部の生徒さんたちが描いた絵が目に付きました。ご覧の「倉賀野を楽しんでね」です。日曜日には宿場町・倉賀野をリュックを担いで見学する人が増えてます。休憩所は「おもてなし館」です。この蔵造の家にそっくりだったのが私の家【原道屋】で倉賀野町の真ん中にありました。私はそこで生まれました。なお、倉賀野のお薦めの一つは「大鶴巻古墳」です。私の家から歩いて１０分ほどで、「大鶴巻古墳」の頂上に登りたい方は案内いたします。５世紀の日本が偲ばれ、静かに興奮【古～墳】するでしょう。

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

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

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

　Born and raised in Kuragano-town, I often walk around my hometown of Kuragano, seeing the views of the well-known three mountains in Gumma Prefectire such as Mt. Akagi, Haruna, and Myogi for my good health. The Karasu River, a first-class river, flows to the south, making this area a beautiful place to walk. This is where the Kuragano-Riverbank once prospered. It's said that salt and seafood were brought from Edo (present-day Tokyo) on boats were unloaded here and transported by oxen to Gumma as well as faraway Nagano and Niigata prefecture. For this reason, a road called the "Cow Road" still remains in Kuragano. It's said that on the return trip, the boats carried the crops harvested here back to Edo.

　As I've written before, my grandparents arrived at Kuragano-Riverbank on boats from Haramichi-Village in Saitama Prefecture in the early Meiji period around 1870 I guess, and started a hardware store here in Kuragano called "Haramichiya." The name of the store comes from their nostalgic hometown. My grandparents had already passed away before I was born, so I never met them. However, I wanted to see their hometown, so I once visited Haramichi-Village. Haramichi Elementary School is still there now, and I went to the school and asked to see the alumni list. However, my grandparents' names were not listed. That's because they were born at the end of the Edo period. Similarly, I never met my maternal grandparents in this world.

　By the way, the other day, while walking through the long corridor at Kuragano-Station, I noticed a painting by students of Kuragano Junior High School Art Club. It says, "Have fun, Kuragano." On Sundays, more and more people are toting their backpacks and touring the post town of Kuragano. The rest area is the "Omotenashikan in the photo." My house, Haramichiya, looks exactly like this house, and my house was located in the middle of Kuragano Town. I was born there. I recommend you to visit the Otsurumaki burial mound in Kuragano . It's about a 10-minute walk from my resident, and I can guide you to the top if you want to climb. You will be reminded of 5th century Japan and will be quietly excited.

　　

高崎市議会を傍聴し、心より感銘

　私たちはややもすると、「水泳はスポーツの一つとして捉えられがち」です。しかし、「水の中で運動する」点で、陸上における他の多くの運動とは「誠に相違するスポーツである」と私たちは理解しなくてはなりません。一般のスポーツは陸上で行うことから、誰でもやろうと思えば上手でなくても多少はできるものです。しかし、水泳に関しては子供も大人も「泳げるか、泳げないかの二極化」に分かれます。

　本来、私たち「人間は陸上で生活する動物」のため、水中では呼吸できません。このため、子供時代に水泳を習得できなかった場合、その後、泳げるようになることは先ずありません。生涯に亘り水泳とは縁のない生活を送ることになり、水難事故を未然に防ぐ観点からも生命に関わり重大なことです。水泳学習は水の物理的特性から、浮力や、水の抵抗、そして、呼吸が大きく関わり、人間の生命に直接関わってます。

　昨日、私は生まれて初めて高崎市議会を傍聴し、谷川留美子議員の一般質問と提案に深く感銘しました。それによると、最近の小学校では「水泳の授業は年間にたった８時間のみ」とのことです。水泳の時間は水に慣れることや、顔を水につけることなども含まれ、水泳指導に不慣れな教員もおり、本格的な水泳の授業とは程遠い現実にあることを指摘されました。特にコロナ以降、この状況が顕著となり、これではあらゆる可能性を秘める子供たちの人生に大きなマイナス要因であると私は理解できました。

　一方、思春期になると水着になることを躊躇うことも起こり、水泳を学ぶのは小学生のうちと話されました。しかも、夏休みのプール開放は殆どの学校で行われず、この状況下で、更に、泳げる子と泳げない子の二極化が生じ、同時に、各学校のプールの老朽化と、それに伴う改修の問題も指摘されました。自然災害や水難事故が頻繁に起こっている現在、海なし県・群馬の子どもたちに「水泳」をしっかり学ばせるべきと真剣に質問と提案をされました。

　谷川留美子議員の発言は、子供たちの将来を見据え、問題点を明確に指摘され、同時に、分かりやす言葉、何より聞きやすい声量で、とても好感が持て、市議として市民の立場に立ち発言されてることが感じられ、私は久々に感銘して帰路につきました。

【長文のため、英訳は３段目からです。】

Dear my friends who are crazy about the education of swimming and great music.

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

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

　Yesterday, I attended the Takasaki City Council meeting for the first time in my life, and I was deeply impressed by councilwoman Ms. Rumiko Tanigawa's general questions and proposals. She explained that elementary schools these days only offer eight hours of swimming lessons per year. She pointed out that swimming class involves getting used to the water and putting their faces in the water, and that some teachers are unfamiliar with teaching, making it far from a full-fledged swimming lesson. This situation has become particularly pronounced since the COVID-19 pandemic, and I realized that this was a major negative factor in the lives of children who have all kinds of potential.

　On the other hand, she also mentioned that children may become hesitant to wear swimsuits once they reach adolescence, therefore they should learn to swim in elementary school. Furthermore, most schools do not open their pools during the summer vacation, further polarizing children between those who can and cannot swim. At the same time, she also pointed out the aging of school pools and the resulting need for renovations. She earnestly asked questions and made proposals, arguing that in a time when natural disasters and drownings are frequent in Japan, children in Gumma Prefecture where is a landlocked, should be given a solid swimming education.

　Councilwoman Ms. Tanigawa Rumiko's remarks were focused on the future of children, and she clearly pointed out the problems. At the same time, she used easy-to-understand words and, above all, her voice was easy to listen to. I was very impressed, and it was clear that she was speaking from the perspective of the citizens as a city council member. I left feeling impressed for the first time in a long time.

　　

高齢期・・・痩せない工夫を

　誰にも必ずやって来る高齢期は、子供の独立に始まり、自分を取り巻く今までの人が次第に少なくなり、一人に近くなって来ます。私は長い期間を既に一人で生活してます。こんなことは想像もしてなかったし、願っていなかったことです。でも、どうにか充実して生きてます。きっと、皆さんのお陰です。

　この現実を生き抜く基盤は「健康」、及び生活に必要な「経済力」、そして、人との交流、更に肝心なことは「心から夢中になれること」があることでしょう。この内、「身体の健康」はある程度の習慣化と努力が伴います。

　意外と見落としがちなこと、それは「筋肉を落とさないこと」です。筋肉があってこそ、すべての内臓がそれぞれの機能を発揮します。筋肉によって、私たちはいろいろに動け、歩くことに始まり、手足の動き、呼吸、精神面で大切な笑いです。筋肉が減ると無表情に陥る傾向です。

　筋肉増強には日々の鍛錬が必須で、人間の体の中には、大きな筋肉、小さな筋肉を含めて、なんと400個以上も筋肉があるといわれ、それらを使ってこそ、鍛えてこそ、筋肉の維持増強に繋がります。私が毎日行ってることは「斜めの腕立て伏せ」、心臓のために脹脛を鍛える「キャフレイズ」、腕や胸の筋肉のためダンベルの使用、公園でのラジオ体操会に参加です。私たちは筋肉の中に生きてると自覚したいです。

　昔、インドに滞在してましたが、インドでは年間を通じて水泳が出来ました。今振り返ると、「水泳ほどバランスよく筋肉を鍛え育てるものはない」と感じてます。子供たちには、ぜひ水泳の機会を多く与えたいものです。

　

Dear my friends who are crazy about the necessity of muscles and great music.

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

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

　Old age is inevitable for everyone. Starting with our children becoming independent, the number of people around us gradually decreases, and We find ourselves increasingly alone. In fact, I've been living alone for a 20 years. I never imagined this situation happen, and I never wanted it to happen. But somehow, I'm living a fulfilling life. I'm sure it's all thanks to you all.

　The foundations for surviving this reality are "health," the "financial security" necessary for daily life, interactions with others, and, most importantly, "something we should truly be passionate about." Of these, "physical health" requires a certain amount of habit and effort in daily life.

　One thing that is surprisingly often overlooked is "not losing muscle." It is thanks to muscle that all of our internal organs can perform their respective functions. Muscles allow us to move in various ways, from walking to moving our arms and legs, breathing, and even laughter, which is indispensable for our mental health. When we lose muscle, we tend to become expressionless.

　Daily training is essential to building muscle, and it is said that the human body has over 400 muscles, including both large and small ones, and it is by using and training these muscles that we can maintain and strengthen them. What I do every day is diagonal push-ups, calf raises to train my calves for my heart, dumbbells for my arm and chest muscles, and radio gymnastics sessions in the nearby park. We want to be aware that we can live in our muscles.

　I used to live in India, where I was able to swim all year round. Looking back now, I feel that there is no other way to train and develop muscles in such a balanced way as swimming. Children should be given plenty of opportunities to swim.

今日も通路を渡る・・・私の足腰鍛錬

　ＪＲ倉賀野駅の北口を入ると切符売り場まで行くに遠いです。しかも、この物凄く高い通路を渡るため、階段の段数がものすごく多く、高齢者の中には渡れない人もいるでしょう。近年は人員削減で切符売り場も無人化となり味気ないです。

　しかし、倉賀野町の大きな良さは、この倉賀野駅があることです。東京へも直接行けますし、高崎線のみならず八高線も通るので停車する電車の本数は多く、駅のない近隣の町村に比較したら感謝です。今日も夕方、足腰の筋肉増強にこの橋を渡って鍛えます。

Dear my friends

　Once we enter JR Kuragano Station's north exit, it's a long way to the ticket counter. Moreover, we have to cross this extremely high walkway with the enormous number of steps, therefore some elderly people may not be able to cross it.

　In recent years, the staff cuts have meant that the ticket counter is unmanned. It is bit dreary.

　However, one of Kuragano-town's great advantages is the presence of Kuragano-Station. It offers direct access to Tokyo, and since it's served by both the Takasaki Line and the Hachiko Line, many trains stop here, which is a great convenient advantage compared to neighboring towns and villages that don't have station. This evening, I'll cross this bridge again to strengthen my leg and hip muscles.

何処の駅にも、こんな長い階段はない

【写真をクリックすると、臨場感が出ます。】　　　

　　

　今日は９月の第３月曜日ですから「敬老の日」です。「多年にわたり社会につくしてきた老人を敬愛し、長寿を祝う日」です。厚労省によると、全国で６５歳以上の人口は３６２３万人となり、総人口に占める割合（高齢化率）は２９．１％に達してます。

　誰でもいつかは高齢になります。高齢になっても安心して暮らせる社会でありたいものです。今や少子高齢化時代に突入し、高齢者を支える現役世代がますます減少しつつある時代です。

　ところで、昨日は家を夕方５時過ぎに出発し、倉賀野町の鯉池一周ウォーキングを行いました。帰路のコースとして、写真のＪＲ倉賀野駅北口の階段を昇りました。実は、この写真は階段を二回昇った後、かなり高い位置から撮影しましたが、それでも、ご覧の通り、更に高い位置まで階段が続いてます。

　私の知る限り、公共の場所やＪＲの駅舎でこんな長い登り階段はどこにもありません。ここを毎日登って通勤通学する人は若い人が多いでしょうが、エスカレーターやエレベーターの設置はなく、当然ながら高齢者も使わざるを得ません。私は足腰のトレーニングには格好の場所として時々通過しますが、高齢者には堪えるでしょう。転んだら大変なことになります。早急な対策が望まれます。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the problem of society and great music.

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

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

　Today is the third Monday of September, which is Respect for the Aged Day in Japan. It's a day to honor and cherish the elderly who have contributed to society for many years, and to celebrate their longevity. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of people who are aged 65 or older nationwide is 36.23 million. This is accounting for 29.1% of the total population (the aging rate).

　Everyone will eventually reach old age. We want to live in a society where people can live safely both mentally and physically even in old age. We are now in the era of declining birthrates and the aging population, and the number of working people supporting the elderly is decreasing.

　By the way, yesterday I left home just after 5pm and walked around the vast Carp Pond in Kuragano-Town. On my way back, I climbed the long stairs at the north exit of JR Kuragano-Station, shown in the photo. This photo was actually taken from a fairly high position where is after climbing the stairs twice. However, as you can see, there are stairs continuing even higher.

　As far as I know, there are no other public places or JR stations with such long staircases. There are probably many young people who climb this staircases every day to commute to work or school, but there are no escalators or elevators here, so of course elderly people have to use these staircases as well. I sometimes pass by this path as a good place to train my legs and hips, but it must be difficult for elderly people. If they fall, it can be very serious. I hope that some immediate measures will be taken.

  　

倉賀野をウォーキング

　これから家から倉賀野の鯉池まで往復ウォーキングをしてきます。距離は３Kほどです。目的は全身のスムースな血液循環、鼻呼吸、足腰の強化です。と言いながら、内心はビールの美味しさと空腹をめざします。もし沿道で見かけたらお声掛けください。

　From now on, I'm going to walk from my house to the carp pond situated to the east of Kragano-Station and back. The distance is about 3km, I guess. My purpose this time is to improve blood circulation throughout my body, breathe through my nose, and strengthen my legs and hips. But my innermost mind, I'm looking forward to a delicious draft beer and feeling hungry. If you see me along the way, please say hello. I'll walk with thinking of you.

　追伸…予定通りに、歩いてきましたが、結構、気温が高かったです。このため汗をかなりかきました。シャワーを浴び、その後、予定捕り喉を潤しました。しかし、何かが不足してます。そうです。愛です。

　I walked as planned, but the temperature was quite high. so that I sweated a lot. I took a shower and then quenched my thirst as planned. However, something was missing. That's right, it was love.

英作文の時間を多く設定したい

　今年の夏は就寝中もたくさん汗をかき、熟睡できない夜の連続でした。ところが、９月中旬のここ数日間はぐっすり眠れ、睡眠時間は十分に確保できるようになりました。今朝５時の室内気温は２８℃、湿度は５０％、気圧は１０１３hPaで誠に快適です。夜間に良い睡眠が得られれば、それに比例し日中の脳活動も良くなると考えらます。

　群馬県の今日の日の出は５時２５分と大分遅くなり、夏至では４時２６分でしたから、朝、ブログを書く私にとって大切な朝が１時間も少なくなってます。しかし、充分な睡眠時間の確保こそが健康の基盤です。そして、日中は自分の考え通りに活動したいものです。

　ところで、日英対照・天声人語秋号は９０日分【３ヶ月分】あり、一日に２日分ずつ読んでます。毎日、新たな英単語に遭遇し、青春時代の試験勉強の再現です。記憶方法は、１、筆記体で「書いて」覚える、2、発音記号とアクセントを確認し「声に出して」覚える。3、パソコンで「聞いて」覚える、4、実際に「使って」覚え、五感を総動員させてます。やはり繰り返しが効果があります。幼児は日本語を覚える天才です。勉強ではなく生活で使います。模倣したいです。

　それにしても、高校で週１時間でも「英作文」の時間が設定され、それを３年間続けていたら、今頃は何でも英文にできていたことでしょう。英語教育の改善が急務です。

Dear my friends who are crazy about an effective way of studying English and great music.

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

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

　This summer, I sweated profusely while sleeping and had many nights where I couldn't get a deep sleep. However, over the past few days in mid-September, I've been able to sleep soundly and get enough sleep. Even so, the lady I like still appears in my dream. This morning at 5:00, the indoor temperature was 28°C, the humidity was 50%, and the air pressure was 1013 hPa, which is very comfortable. I believe that getting good sleep at night will proportionally improve brain activity during the daytime.

　Today's sunrise in my Gumma Prefecture was quite late, at 5:25 AM, compared to 4:26 AM on the summer solstice, which meant I lost an hour of my precious morning time, when I usually post on Facebook. However, getting enough sleep is the foundation of good health. And I want to be able to function during the day I want to.

　By the way, the Japanese-English comparison of the Autumnal issue of Tensei Jingo is 90 days' worth (three months' worth), and I'm reading two days' worth per day. I encounter new English vocabulary every day, which is like a restudying for exams in my youth. My memorization methods are 1. "Write" in cursive to memirize, 2. Check the phonetic symbols and accents and "speak" them out loud to memorize, 3. "Listen" to them using the computer to memorize, and 4. "Use" them in actual sentences to memorize, engaging all five senses. Repetition really is effective. Young children are geniuses at memorizing Japanese. This is because they use it in their daily lives, not just study. I want to imitate them.

　Even so, if high school had set aside even one hour a week for "English composition" and continued it for three years, I'm sure I would be able to translate any Japanese sentence into English by now. Improvements in English education are urgently needed.

　　

生活に変化を求める・・・暮らしの充実に

　午後になり、喫茶「さんぽ道」で1時間半ほど読書して過ごしました。読書はいわば著者との会話です。殆どの客は２～３人で楽しそうに会話してますが、私のように毎回一人で行く人はいません。内心、時にはクラシック音楽がかかっていればと思います。

　私と仲の良かった人はこの世から姿を見せなくなり、家にも誰もいないことから生活に変化を求め週２回行ってます。実は、ここへ行くのは恋人のような愛車の調整を兼ねてます。皆さん楽しそうに話をしてるので、今日はピアノは弾きませんでした。夕刻になったら、２Kほど倉賀野をウォーキングします。たまにはどなたかと一緒に歩きたい。

　In the afternoon, I spent about an hour and a half reading at the cafe "Sampo-michi." Reading can be thought of as a conversation with the author. Most customers are in groups of two or three, enjoying a pleasant conversation, but no one goes alone like me. Secretly, I wish western classical music can be listened sometimes.

　Some close friends of mine have disappeared from this world except for a New Zealander, at the same time, I have no one at home, so I've been going there twice a week in search of a change of life. In fact, I also go there to get my beloved car which is like a sweetheart, tuned up. Everyone seemed to be having a good time talking, so I didn't play the piano today. In the evening, I go for a 2km walk around Kuragano-town. Sometimes I'd like to walk with you.

今日は地区の廃品回収作業に頑張ります。

【写真は、上信国境「四阿山」の山頂、標高２３５７mで撮ったものです。後方の山は長野県の根子岳です。 】　

　もうすぐ敬老の日です。昔は歌の如く「今年６０のおじいさん」という風潮でしたが、「老」とは年々その概念が変化し、現代の６０才は元気に働いてる人が大勢です。私は教員だったことから、最初の頃に出会った当時の生徒さんは今では６０代後半から７０代初めになっており、こちらの方が彼ら彼女らから生き方をいろいろ教わりたい気持ちです。

　私は娘たちと同居してないので、孫たちとも時々会う程度で、ちょっと寂しいですが、あるいはこの環境が精神的に「娘たちに頼る気持ちが起こらず」独立心はあるようです。年を取ったらどう生きるか考えつつ日々実践し、むしろ人生の真っ只中で会社で家庭で頑張ってる娘たちに力を貸したいほどです。

　人間とは、生まれて何年経ったという年齢はあまり意味がないように思います。過去に何をしたかでなく、今現在、目標を持って何をしているか、何に夢中になってるか、そこに生き甲斐を感じているかで、特に「人の役に立っているという自覚」があると精神的な張りが生じるように感じます。

　今日は２ヶ月に一度の廃品回収作業日です。倉賀野上四地区の各家庭から出る廃品のうち、重い雑誌類、大きな段ボール、重たい古新聞の束、暑かったことから多量のペットボトルなどを軽トラで回収し、上四公園に集めると、驚くほどの量で山のようになります。それを業者のトラックに詰め込む作業です。朝８時から１０時頃までかかります。およそ２０名の仲間と共に肉体作業に精を出します。では行ってきます。

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

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

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

　"Respect for the Aged Day" is just around the corner in Japan. In the past, like the song, people would sing "Aged man of 60years　this year," but the concept of "old" has changed year by year, and today, many 60-year-olds are still working and active. I used to be a teacher of Senior High schools, and the students I first met are now in their late 60s and early 70s, and I'm eager to learn about how to live from them.

　By the way, I don't live with my daughters, so I only see my grandchildren occasionally. It's a little lonely, but perhaps this environment has given me a sense of independence in heart, as I don't feel like relying on them. How I want to live when getting older and put it into practice every day, and I want to lent support to my daughters, who are working hard at companies and at home, even in the midst of their lives.

　I don't think a human's age, it is not meaningful. And it's not what they did in the past, but what they're doing now with their purposes in mind, what they're passionate about, and whether they find meaning in life. I feel that a sense of being useful to others is especially rewarding.

　Today is the bimonthly waste collection day in our district. We collect waste from each household in the Kuragano-Kami-4th district, including heavy magazines, large cardboard boxes, heavy stacks of old newspapers, and, because it was hot this summer, a large amount of plastic bottles, in a light truck. When we bring it all to Kami-4th Park. They are collected with an astonishing amount, then we load into the contractor's truck. This takes place from 8am until around 10am. We work hard at this physical labor together with about 20 other people. Well, I'm off.

　

めっきり早くなった近頃の日の入り

　現在、倉賀野は小雨で、まだ、夕方5時半というのに外はうす暗くなってきました。早い日の入りは何だか寂しいです。そうでなくても毎日寂しいのにです。

　調べてみると群馬県の今日９月１２日の日の入りは１７時５６分です。夏至では１９時０５分でしたから、１時間０９分も日の入りが早くなってます。しかも、群馬県の西方は浅間山など山岳地帯なので実際の日の入りは１７時４０分頃で、一層早い日の入りです。

　庭のキジバトは用意した水で喉を潤し休憩してます。私も負けずに、大好きな「アジの開き」を焼いて軽く一杯です。明日の午後は喫茶に行って明るく交流したいです。

Dear my friends

　It's currently drizzling in Kuragano-town, and even though it's 5:30pm now, it's already getting dark outside. The early sunset feels somehow lonely. Even without it, I feel lonely every day due to without you.

　I looked up and found that the sunset in Gumma Prefecture today, September 12th, is 17:56. The summer solstice was at 19：05, so the sunset became 1 hour and 9 minutes earlier. More over, since the west of Gunma Prefecture is mountainous, including the active volcano Mt. Asama, the actual sunset is around 5:40pm, I guess, it makes even earlier.

　The turtle dove in the garden are quenching her thirst with the water I've prepared and taking a rest. So I'm not to be outdone, I'll grill my favorite opened and dried horse mackerel and had a draft beer. Tomorrow afternoon, I'd like to go to the Sampo-michi cafe and have some cheerful conversation. I wonder what kind of encounters I'll have.

今でも生きてる担任のことば

　中学生の時の担任が話されたことで「今でも忘れられない言葉」があります。それ以来、半世紀以上過ぎた現在でも、日々、私に役立ってます。先生は既に天に召されてます。

　それは、「人間の脳は死ぬまでに全体のわずか５％くらいしか使われてない。」ということです。未だ未だいくらでも多くのことを記憶できたり、新しいことを発想したり、新たな事に挑戦できるということです。これは「自分の中には眠っている潜在能力がたくさんあり」、それを引き出さなければ人生がもったいないとのことでした。

　概して、私たちはたまたま選んだ学校や専門性等により一つの道のみを歩いてしまいがちです。特に学歴偏重社会では、その人のその後の人生を決定づけてしまいがちです。しかし、ひとたび学歴を無視し、「一生勉強一生青春」のつもりで新たな分野に挑戦すれば、生き方に広がりが生じ、日々、心豊かな生活に結びつくと考えられます。最も大きなことは人脈が変わります。

　という私は３５才を過ぎてからギターを一から習い始めました。これが後に「どれだけ役に立ったか計り知れません。」一方、中学の時の担任の言葉を思い出しつつ、人間には日々の発想ほど大切なことはないと自らに言い聞かせ、無い頭を捻りつつ、フェイスブックやブログを書いてます。いつもアクセスに感謝してます。写真は三階の山小屋風の部屋です。今度いらしたときは、ここでお茶を飲みつつ歓談しましょう。景色はいいです。

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

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

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

　My junior high school homeroom teacher once told me something words I still can't forget it. Even now, more than half a century later, these words help me still now, every day. My teacher has already passed away 30 years ago.

　That is "By the time we die, only about 5% of the human brain is used." This means that we still have the potential to memorize countless things such as English new words, come up with new ideas, and take on new challenges. He meant that "there is a great deal of hidden potential within us," therefore if we don't tap into, it would be a waste of our lives.

　Generally, we tend to stick to one path based on the school or specialty we happen to choose. Especially in a society that places too much emphasis on academic qualifications, this tends to determine a person's future. However, if we ignore our academic background and take on a new field with the mindset of "studying forever with staying young forever," our lifestyle will broaden and lead to a more fulfilling life. The biggest thing is that our personal relationship will change.

　So, after I turned 35 years old, I started learning classical guitar from scratch. I later realized that "it was impossible to measure how useful this challenge was." Meanwhile, remembering the words of my junior high school home room teacher Mr. Sehiguchi, I tell myself that there is nothing more important idea for a human being. I am racking my brain every day, so I write on Facebook and in my blog. By the way, I'm always grateful for your visit my Facebook. The photo shows the mountain cabin-style room on the third floor. Next time you visit, let's have a chat over tea here. I am waiting for you every time. The view is lovely.

　　  

逆境を自らに課す

 

　 

　多くのスイス人は語学が堪能といわれ、私たちはつい羨ましく感じがちです。ヨーロッパ諸国では同様でしょう。これは隣国と国境が接しているためで、子供のときから自国語以外の言葉も使わざるを得ない環境で生まれ育ったのです。日本とは逆です。

　私たちは日本中どこへ行っても日本語のみで通じ、言葉で困りません。スイス人にすれば誠に幸せと言えるでしょう。しかし、これは外国語を話さなくもいい環境にあり、反面、私たちにとって英語が本当に難しいものになってます。私もその昔、入学試験のときだけは頑張った記憶があります。それを過ぎれば後は単位を取るためでした。

　しかし、近年、日本人も世界を舞台に活躍する人が多くなり、英語が堪能な人がいます。私が最も影響を受けた英語の達人はＴさんです。彼はニュージーランドの高校で担任をした経験を持ち、私の周囲では抜群の英語力の持ち主でした。しかし、数年前に早世し、もし、現在もお元気であれば私のブログに目を通して戴け、指導を賜れるのに残念この上もありません。

　勉強とは自分にとって、どうしても「今必要と感じたときにやればいい」のでしょう。遅まきながら年を重ねた今やり始め、スイス人のような環境、あるいは「逆境を自らに課して」ます。

　果たしていつまで続けられるでしょうか。それにしても、何より大切なことは「読み手に伝える内容そのものがあるかどうか」と考えます。

　Dear my friends who are crazy about the 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.

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

　Many Switzerland people are said to be fluent in some languages, so that we tend to feel envious. It's probably the same in other European countries. Because this is surrounded with foreign country's borders, and they were born and raised in the environment where they were forced to use neighboring languages since their young age. It's the opposite of Japan.

　No matter where we go in Japan, we can communicate only in Japanese therefore we have no language problems. a Swiss person would feel truly fortunate in our environment. However, just because we live in the environment where we don't have to speak a foreign language, it also makes English extremely difficult for us. I remember working hard just for the entrance exams only back in the day. Once I got past that, it was getting the credits only.

　However, in recent years, more and more Japanese people are working on the global stage, and some of them are fluent in English. The person closest to me who had the greatest influence on me was Mr. Todokoro. He was a homeroom teacher at a high school in New Zealand and had outstanding English skills compared to those around me. However, he passed away prematurely a few years ago, so I am extremely saddened that he passed away. If he were still alive, he would read my blog and I would receive his guidance.

　I guess we should study when we feel that it is absolutely necessary for us. I've started studying now, belatedly, as I'm older, I'm in the environment like the Swiss, or rather, I'm "imposing adversity on myself."

　I wonder how long I can keep it up. Even so, I think the most important thing is "the content itself that is conveyed to the reader."

 　　

庭に果物が生る喜び

　折角、いいものを写真に撮りましたが、逆光でしたね。午後、お気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」に行き、【カッキー、また行ったのか！】という声　が聞こえてきそうです。駐車場の前の畑に生っている柑橘類を撮りました。

　こんな大きな実の果物が庭に生ったら収穫の喜びでしょう。私も真似して、花だけでなく、今後は果物をいろいろ植えたくなりました。きっと、生活に潤いが生じるでしょう。でも、一人で食べてるのでは味気ないでしょう。どうしましょう。

　珍しく、一時的に客がいなかったのでピアノを弾かせて戴き「ベサメムーチョ」、東北震災復興曲「花は咲く」、フォークダンスの「マイムマイム、コロブチカ」、私のテーマであるノクターンb mollを弾きました。もしかして、ママさんも青春時代を思い出されたでしょうか。

Dear my Facebook friends

　I took nice photo, but it was backlight. In the afternoon, I went to my favorite cafe, "Sampo-michi," and I could almost hear someone say, "Kakky, you went again!" I took some photos of the citrus fruit which is growing in the field in front of the parking lot of the cafe.

　It must be a joy to harvest such large fruits in our garden. I'd like to follow and plant a variety of fruits in addition to flowers in the near future. I'm sure it will bring me extremely joy. But it's boring to eat it alone. What should I do?

　Unusually, there were no customers for a while in the cafe, so I was allowed to play the piano and played "Besame Mucho," the Tohoku earthquake recovery song "Flowers Bloom," the folk dance "Maim Maim, Kolobchka," and my theme music Nocturne in b minor. If possible, the mama was reminded of her youth, I guess.

小動物の声に耳を傾ける

　庭には樹木が多く、私が飲み水を用意してるのでメジロ、キジバト、ムクドリ、オナガなどが飛来し、その個性ある姿や美しい鳴き声は、孤独な私を日々癒してくれてます。一般の小鳥やアブラゼミもそれぞれ賑やかに声を出し、私の生活に潤いを与えてくれてます。

　ところが、８月下旬から９月上旬の今、最も耳にする「不思議な鳴き方」をするのは蝉のツクツクボウシです。その鳴き方には速さが変わるいリズムがあり、そして、鳴き声の大きさも変化しつつ、途中は一定のテンポになり、特に最後が特徴ある鳴き方で一連のリズムをまとめます。

　その鳴き方は最初は小さく「ヅクヅクヅクヅクヅクヅク」と長い前奏で始まり、それが次第に速まり【アッチェルランド】、その後、次第に大きくなり【クレッシェンド】、いよいよテンポがゆっくりになって【リタルランド】、ついに「頂点に達するかの如くオーシンヅクヅク、オーシンヅクヅク」を２０回ほど繰り返し、最後がまとめのモイヨース、モイヨース、モイヨースを繰り返して鳴き終わります。

　私には、この一連の鳴き方は「リズムによる一つの旋律」に聞こえます。特に最後のモイヨース、モイヨースは言葉のようにも聞こえ、それは、猛暑だった今年の夏や、人間世界の争いは「もうイイよ、もうイイよ」と私の気持ちを代弁してくれてるように聞こえます。これから秋になると、庭の樹木に珍しい渡り鳥も渡りの途中に飛来し、その姿や声を聴かせてくれる楽しみがあります。私も負けずにソプラノサックスを練習します。

Dear my friends who are crazy about wild birds, cicadas and great music.

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

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

　There are many trees in the garden, at the same time, as I provide drinking water, so that white-eyes, turtle doves, starlings, and long-tailed magpies all fly in to visit, and their unique appearances and beautiful voices soothe my loneliness every day. Ordinary small birds and brown cicadas which make their own lively voices, are enriching my life.

　However, right now, from late August to early September, it is the cicada, named tsukutsukuboshi, that makes the "strange voice" which I hear the most. Its call has a rhythm that varies in speed, and while the volume of the call also changes, it settles into a steady tempo in the middle, and then finishes with a particularly distinctive call that brings the rhythm together.

　Their calls begin with a long introduction of "tsuku, tsuku, tsuku, tsuku, tsuku, tsuku," then gradually speed up (accerando), then gradually get louder (crescendo), finally slowing down to a ritalando, and finally reaching a climax, repeating "ohshintsukutsuku, ohshintsukutsuku" about 20 times, and concluding with a final "moiyosu, moiyosu, moiyosu."

　To me, this series of calls sounds like "a single rhythmic melody." The last "moiyosu, moiyosu" in particular sounds like words, and it sounds like they're speaking for me, saying "enough is enough, enough is enough" about this summer's scorching heat and the conflicts of the human world. As autumn approaches, rare migratory birds will also arrive in the garden during their migration, giving me the pleasure of seeing and hearing their voices. I will not give up my life and will practice the soprano saxophone.

　　

未だ開花の途中です。

　庭のサルスベリは開花以来、すでに５０日ほど経ってます。百日紅と書くのですから、まだ半分道中です。今日もカメムシや小さい赤い蟻など幹を蝕むものを取り去り、水を十分に与え、永く咲くように私ができることをしてます。この写真は車庫の上から撮ったものです。

　今の季節では、他の植物は殆ど花が咲きません。このため、人間の目を独占してます。それにしても情熱的です。良く眺め、私に不足する情熱や１００日間の集中力を学びたいです。未だ、暫く開花してるので観賞にいらして下さい。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about passion and concentration

　It is already blooming about 50 days since the crape myrtle in my garden started to bloom. It's written as one hundred red in Chinese character, so it's still only halfway now. Today, I'm doing all I can to keep it blooming for a long time, such as removing stink bugs and tiny red ants that eat the trunk, and giving it plenty of well water. This photo was taken from above the garage of TT.

　In this season of the year, almost no other plants are blooming. Because of this, it monopolizes the attention of humans. It's showing passionately, though. I'd like to learn from its passion and concentration that I lack. It will still be in bloom for a while, so please come and enjoy it without hesitation.

父も私も蔵造の家で生まれる

　９月９日、群馬県の今日の日の出は５時２１分、太陽高度は５８°、日の入りは１８時０１分です。昼の長さは１２時間４０分となり、夏至の１４時間３９分に比較すると２時間も短くなってます。それでも、早朝は気持ちがよく、今朝も、これから倉賀野上公園行われるラジオ体操会に出席し、身体を十分に十分間動かします。

　ラジオ体操は簡単な体操と想われがちですが、殆どの動きに両肩を上に上げた深呼吸を伴います。体を捻る動きも肺の中の空気を絞り出します。特に、緑いっぱいの樹木の下での呼吸では肺の中の空気がきれいに入れ替わります。

　昔、肺活量を測るとき、単純に胸いっぱい空気を吸って計測しましたが、実は胸いっぱい空気を吸ってから、更に両肩を上げると肺活量は２割ほど増します。今、試してみてください。一層、胸に空気が入ることが認識できるでしょう。普段忘れがちですが、鼻呼吸ほど健康維持に大切なことはありません。よい血液循環に繋がります。

　ところで、今日９月９日は私の父の命日です。父の両親は埼玉県原道村から、夜逃げのよう利根川～烏川と船で上流へと来て倉賀野河岸に着きました。そして、父が写真のような蔵造の家で生まれたのは明治中期のことです。両親の故郷の名を取った原道屋を継ぎ、昭和になってから私も写真にそっくりの家で生まれました。写真の家は倉賀野町の太鼓橋近くに現存する「おもてなし館」です。昔は倉賀野町の大山町長の家でした。現在はかつての宿場町・倉賀野を見学する旅人の休憩所になってます。

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

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

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

　Generally, the radio gymnastics is thought as a simple exercise, but most movements involve deep breathing by raising both shoulders. Twisting the body also squeezes air out of the lungs. Deep breathing under lush greenery, the air in our lungs is thoroughly replaced.

　In the past, when measuring lung capacity, people simply tended to take a deep breath, but in fact, if we take a deep breath and then raise our shoulders, our lung capacity increases by about 20%. Try it now. You'll notice that even more air is entering your chest. We tend to forget, but nothing is more important for maintaining good health by breathing through our nose. It leads to good blood circulation.

　Not change the subject, but today, September 9th, is the anniversary of my father's death. His parents traveled by fleeing in the night by boat from Haramich-Village, Saitama Prefecture, up the Tone River and Karasu River, and arrived at Kuragano-Riverbank. My father was born in the mid-Meiji period in a storehouse-style house like the photo. My father took over "Haramichiya," named after his parents' hometown, and I was born in the Showa era in a same house that looks just like the photo. The house in the photo is the "Omotenashikan," which still stands near the Taiko Bridge in Kuragano-Town. It used to be the home of Mayor Oyama of Kuragano-Town. It now serves as a rest area for travelers touring the former post town of Kuragano.

人間は心身ともに「さっぱりすると」行動的になる

　生活に変化をつけたいこともあり、午後３時頃より、吉井ドリームセンターのお風呂に入って来てさっぱりしました。「人間は心身ともにさっぱりすると意欲が湧くもの」です。

　そしたら、無性に今宵も高崎の街中で夕食を摂りたくなりました。一人での夕食は好きな人の顔を思い出しつつ食べても現実は寂しく哀れなものです。

　このため、いつもの小料理屋で夕食を摂ります。一人で行っても空いてるので、２時間ほどママさんが話し相手になってくれます。「話をすると脳が活性化するので年を重ねてから大切な要素」です。と言って、今宵も電車で倉賀野駅から行ってきます。

　追伸・・・有意義でした。9時頃無事に帰宅しましたので、ご安心ください。おやすみなさい。

Dear my Friends

　Hoping to change my daily life alone, I went to Yoshii Dream Center's bath around 3pm to freshen up. Generally, "when human refreshed both physically and mentally, they feel more motivated."

　Then, I suddenly felt like having dinner in downtown of Takasaki-City again tonight. Dinner alone at home can be lonely and sad, even if I am thinking of the face of sweetheart in heart.

　For this reason, I decided to have dinner at my usual tavern named "Baku". It's usually empty even I go alone, so the owner will talk to me for about two hours. Talking activates our brain, which is important as we get older. And so, I'll be heading out again tonight by train from Kuragano-Station.

　P.S.・・・ It was a very meaningful experience. I returned home safely around 9 o'clock, so please don't worry. Good night. Let's meet in the near future.

日本付近が月面に映し出されてるかも

　９月８日、午前４時２０分の月【左】と４時４５分頃の月【右】です。誠に珍しい月の姿です。西の空に左上が明るいことは通常の満ち欠けでは起こり得ない月の姿です。

　恰も下弦の月のようです。通常このような欠け方をするときは「日の出前の東の空で左下」が光のます。これは皆既月食が終盤となり、再度、満月に太陽光が当たっている姿です。

　それにしても、日の出前の地球の地平線が、月にはっきり映し出されてます。時間的に考慮すると、日本付近の地平線あるいは水平線が月に写し出されていると考えられます。故に、こんな姿の月を見るのは生涯に一度でしょう。

Dear my friends as earthlings　

　The moon at 4:20am on September 8th [top] and around 4:45am [bottom]. This is a very unusual appearance of the moon. The upper left being bright in the western sky is an appearance that would not occur during the normal waxing and waning of the moon.

　It looks just like a waning moon. But, normally, when the moon wanes like this, the lower left is shining in the eastern sky before sunrise. This is the end of a total lunar eclipse, with sunlight shining on the full moon once again.

　Even so, the Earth's horizon before sunrise is clearly reflected on the moon surface. Considering the time, it is thought that this horizon or horizontal line projected on the moon surface is near Japan. Therefore, seeing the moon looking like this is probably a once in a lifetime for me.

未明に起こる皆既月食

【時間は上より、欠け始めの８日午前１時１７分、２時３７分、１時４７分、１時５７分、２時１７分】

　今宵は月齢１５なので満月です。幸運にも「深夜に月食が起こります。」８日の未明の皆既月食です。

　国立天文台によると、８日午前1時27分頃から「南西の空に浮かぶ満月」が地球の影に入り、月食が始まります。

　今回は月が南西に傾いてるので、月の上の部分から欠けていくと私カッキーは推測します。果たしてどうでしょう。約１時間で皆既月食です。いっしょに見たいものです。

Dear my Facebook friends who are crazy about lunar eclipse.

　As you noticed, tonight is a full moon, as the lunar phase is 15. Fortunately, a lunar eclipse will occur during the late night. It will be a total lunar eclipse, starting in the early morning of the 8th.

　According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the full moon, appearing in the southwestern sky, will begin to enter Earth's shadow around 1:27 AM on the 8th, marking the start of the eclipse.

　Since, this time, the moon will be positioned towards the southwest, I who is Kakky, predict that the eclipse will begin with the upper part of the moon being obscured. Let's see if that's true. The total lunar eclipse will last for approximately one hour. I'd like to see this astronomical phenomenon with a sweetheart in heart.

「白露」について考える

　私たちを乗せ宇宙空間に浮いてる地球は毎秒およそ２９㎞のスピードで太陽の回りを反時計回りに公転しています。その距離一周９憶４千万㎞を一年かけて巡っています。途中には２４の駅のような区切りがあります。自分は今、公転軌道上の何処を通過中であるか確認しつつ生活したいものです。

　私たちは今日、その中の一つの駅に達してます。それが二十四節気の一つ「白露」です。今夏、日本は猛暑でしたが、それでも季節は変わり、そろそろ植物の葉の上に露が溜まる頃とされてます。

　「白露」の今日、地球は、太陽系の周囲に存在する黄道十二星座のうち「水瓶座」からインドの形にそっくりな「魚座」の方向に到達してます。深夜０時に真南を見れば、現在の地球の到達点が確認できます。この二つの星座は特徴ある姿を見せつつ天の赤道近くに並んでいます。水瓶座は北半球で見ると水瓶を逆さまにした形です。

　ところで、いよいよ本格的な秋に近づき、私たちは野に山に活動範囲を広げたいものです。身体を適度に動かし、栄養バランスをとって健康な生活を求め、「自ら興味関心ある分野への邁進」こそ、生き甲斐に通じるものです。秋はチャンスです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about astronomical phenomenon and great music.

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

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

　The Earth which is carrying us earthlings through space, revolves counterclockwise around the Sun at a speed of approximately 29 km per second. It takes one year to revolve the distance of its orbit of 940 million km. There are 24 station-like divisions along the orbit. We should confirm where our place is on our orbit now.

　Today, we've reached one of those stations "White Dew" which is one of the 24 solar terms. Japan experienced a scorching heat this summer, but the seasons are changing actually, and it's about time for dew to accumulate on plant leaves.

　Today is, "White Dew", Earth has traveled from Aquarius which is one of the 12 zodiac constellations surrounding the solar system, toward Pisces which resembles the shape of India. If you look due south at midnight, you are able to see where Earth has currently reached. These two constellations are lined up near the celestial equator, creating a distinctive shape. When viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, Aquarius resembles an upside-down water bottle.

　As autumn approaches, we should expand our range of activities into the fields and mountains. By exercising moderately, maintaining a balanced diet, and pursuing a healthy lifestyle. And, we can find meaning of our life by "pursuing areas that interest us." Autumn is a great opportunity.

　

今宵は十五夜

　今日は現行暦【太陽暦】で９月６日です。しかし、太陰太陽暦【旧暦】では７月１５日ですから今宵は十五夜です。ところが、十五夜は必ずしも満月ではありません。江戸時代以前から明治５年までは今日が「お盆で」あり、夕方、墓参りに行くとき、東の空に都合よく十五夜の月が出たのでしょう。このように、電気のない昔の生活は「月と密接に結びついていた」と考えられます。

　今回、日本列島東岸を襲った台風１５号では物凄い竜巻が生じ、車が宙に浮いたり、民家の屋根が吹き飛ぶなど驚くほど大きな被害をニュースは伝えてます。おそらく、上空が一時的に真空状態に近くなるのでしょう。一方、台風が去った今朝は空気が入れ替わり、澄んだ秋の空の下、公園でラジオ体操を行いました。スズムシ、コオロギなど虫の音に一段と季節の移り変わりを感じます。

　前述の通り、今宵は十五夜です。でも、月齢は１４です。専門家の計算によると、今回は9月7日の夕方に昇る満月が深夜過ぎ【８日未明】になると暫くぶりの「月食」です。

　ご存じの通り、この現象は、私たちを載せてる地球の影は常に宇宙空間にありますが、月が太陽とは反対の位置に来た時、つまり、満月の晩のみに起こり、月は「地球の周りを反時計回りに公転してる」ことから、月が欠け始めるのは月面の左側からです。これは月が地球の影に右方向から入るからです。

Dear my friends who are crazy about astronomical phenomenon and great music.

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

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

　Today is September 6th according to the Solar calendar. However, according to the lunisolar calendar (old calendar), it is the 15th of July, which means tonight is the 15th moon. However, the 15th moon does not always coincide with a full moon. For this reason, before the Edo period until 1872 (Meiji 5), today was considered "O-Bon" (a Buddhist festival), and when people went to visit their ancestors' graves in the evening, the full moon would conveniently appear in the eastern sky. In this way, life in the past, without electricity, was closely tied to the moon, I guess.

　By the way, Typhoon 15, which struck the eastern coast of Japan, caused tremendous damage, with news reports showing cars being lifted into the air and roofs being blown off houses. The air pressure above probably dropped to near vacuum levels. On the other hand, this morning, after the typhoon passed, the air cleared, and our radio gymnastics in the park under a clear autumn sky. The sounds of crickets make us feel the change of seasons.

　As I mentioned earlier, tonight is the 15th moon. However, the moon's phase is actually 14 days old. According to experts' calculations, the full moon that appeared on the evening of September 7th will undergo a lunar eclipse, in fact, on the earlier morning of September 8th, which will be the first such event in a while.

　As you know, this phenomenon occurs only on full moon nights, when the moon is on the opposite side of the sun. Since the Earth casts a shadow in space, and the moon orbits the Earth counterclockwise, therefore, the eclipse begins on the left side of the moon seen in the Northern Hemisphere. This is because the moon enters the Earth's shadow from the right side.

日本間・・・心が落ち着くと再確認

　台風15号の接近で倉賀野町も朝から雨が降っており、庭の植物の写真が撮れません。このため、珍しく室内の写真を撮ってみました。今では少なくなりましたが、８畳の二間続きの日本間です。ご覧の「紅白梅の絵」が描かれてる襖の裏側の部屋には７～８人が一緒に座れる堀炬燵があり、これらの部屋を使うのは娘たち家族がお盆や正月に帰省したとき、昔のように家族団欒に使うだけで、普段は使いません。というより使う人がいません。

　写真に撮ると一見きれいに見えますが、実は、障子があちこちで破れかけてます。子供の頃を思い出すと、母が障子をよく張り替えてましたが、私にそんなことはできず、いつかは業者に張り替えてもらうつもりです。それは数が多く、欄間も入れると２４の障子で、つい、先延ばしになってます。今度のお正月前には張り替え、きれいにしたいです。

　

　　

　この家を建てたのは、私が退職前の５８才の頃です。この頃はまだ日本間が必要と考えていたのですが、時代は変わり、椅子の生活になり、畳に座ることがなくなりました。今では畳の部屋はいわば観賞用です。しかし、今朝、改めて写真に撮ったら、使わなくてはもったいないように感じました。障子や襖も心が落ち着きます。次回、私の家を訪れるときは日本間で、足が痛くない炬燵の部屋でお茶を飲みつつ【お酒もＯＫ】楽しい歓談をお待ちしてます。

【襖をクリックし、拡大すると臨場感が出ます。】

Dear my friends who are crazy about cheerful conversation in Japanese room and great music.

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

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

　Due to Typhoon 15 approaching, it has been raining in my Kuragano-Town since morning, making it impossible to take photos of the plants in the garden. For this reason, I took a rare photo of the interior. This is a Japanese-style room with two adjoining 8-tatami mat rooms that is rare these days. Behind the sliding doors with the "red and white plum blossom" painting, there is a sunken foot-wormer kotatsu table that can seat 7-8 people at the same time. These rooms are only used when my daughters and their families come my home at Obon festival for praying the diseased ancestors or New Year's, for family get-togethers like in the old days. But, they are not used on a regular basis. In fact, no one uses them at all.

　While it looks nice in photos, the shoji screens by white paper are actually ripped in places. When I remember my childhood, my mother would often repaper the shoji screens, but I can't do that myself, so I plan to have them professionally repapered. There are so many of them—24 including the transoms. So I put it off. I'd like to have them repapered and cleaned up before the New Year.

　I built this house when I was 58 years old, before I retired. At the time, I still thought a Japanese-style room was necessary, but times have changed, and people have started to live by chairs, so they no longer sit on tatami mats. Nowadays, tatami rooms are more for decoration or appreciation only, so to speak. However, when I took a photo of them again this morning, I felt it would be a wasteful not to use them. Shoji screens and sliding doors are also very calming. The next time you visit my house in the near future, I look forward to a pleasant conversation with you in the Japanese-style room, with a kotatsu foot warmer table where your feet won't hurt, over tea (alcohol is also OK).

　

生活に変化をつける私の工夫

　単調な生活に変化を与えるため、車を１５分程運転し、人と少しでも話をするため、お気に入り喫茶「さんぽ道」で午後のひと時を過ごしました。

　今日は「天声人語」日本語版を５日分ほど読みました。結構、難解な文章もあるので、その場合は二回読みます。少し眠くなったら「アイスコーヒー」をすすります。

　近くにいた人たちに「５分程ピアノを弾かせてください。」と承諾を得て、私のテーマ曲である「ノクターン」と「雪が降る」です。楽譜はありません。この方が音色そのものに没頭できます。

Dear my friends

　I drove for about 15 minutes and spent the afternoon at my favorite cafe "Sampo-michi" to add some variety to my monotonous life and chat with customers.

　Today I read about five days' worth of the Japanese version of "Tensei-Jingo." Some passages are quite difficult for me to understand, so in those cases I read them twice. When I felt a little sleepy, I sipped the iced coffee.

　I asked the customers nearby if they would allow me to play the piano for about five minutes, and I played my theme music, "Nocturne" and "Snow Falls." I don't use any sheet music here. By this way I could immerse myself in the tone quality of the music itself.

心の充実を目指す

　９月４日、群馬県の今日の日の出は５時１７分、正午の太陽高度は６０°、日の入りは１８時０８分です。昼の長さは１２時間５１分であり、夏至に比べると昼の長さは１時間４８分も短くなり、太陽高度も１７°低くなってます。日本列島には台風が接近しており、これが太平洋に抜ければ、次第に秋らしくなるでしょう。先ずは、台風による被害がないことを祈ります。

　日が短くなって秋が近づくと、何とはなしに心まで侘しくなるものです。ところが、私は一人暮らしでも意外に心は充実してます。その第一は「多くの緑に囲まれ」恰も森の中に住んでるかの如くだからです。毎日、自然との対話で庭いじり、剪定、水遣り、時に果物の収穫、年間を通していろいろ花が咲き、今は「ねむの花」に癒されてます。

　一方、現役時代に親しかった友人たちは自然にいなくなり、これは寂しさの極みです。それに代わり、最近は地区の方々との交流が増え、共に仕事をしたり話しをするチャンスに恵まれてます。その中でも最近は、心が広く超党派的な女性との出会いがあり、彼女と知り合いになれ本当に良かったと感じる日々です。植物も心を満たしてくれますが、人間の喜びは素晴らしい人との交流であり、これほど心を満たしてくれることはありません。

　心を満たすと言えば、高校時代にピアノを強く勧めてくれた音楽の先生には本当に感謝してますが、もう、この世にいません。お陰で今でも毎日が音楽ある生活になっています。しかし、音楽は聴き手がいてこそ成り立ちます。これが不足してます。

　

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

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

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

　Today on September 4th, sunrise in Gumma Prefecture was at 5:17 AM, the sun's elevation at noon will be 60°, and sunset will be at 6:08 PM. The length of daylight is 12 hours and 51 minutes, 1 hour and 48 minutes shorter than at the summer solstice, and the sun's elevation is 17° lower. The typhoon No. 15 is approaching the Japanese archipelago, and once it passes out into the Pacific Ocean, autumn will gradually begin. First, I pray that there will be no damage by the typhoon.

　As the days get shorter and autumn approaches, I can't help but feel lonely. However, even though I live alone, I find my heart surprisingly fulfilled. The first reason is that I'm surrounded by so much greenery, it's as if I'm living in the forest. Every day, I interact with nature by gardening, pruning, watering, and occasionally harvesting fruit. Various flowers bloom throughout the year, and I'm currently soothed by the "Silk tree flowers."

　On the other hand, the close friends I had during my active career have naturally passed away, and this is the most of loneliness. Instead, I've recently been interacting more with people in my district, and have been blessed with opportunities to work and talk together. Among these people, I recently met a broad-minded, supra-partisan lady, and I feel truly blessed to have gotten to know her. Plants also fill my soul, but the greatest human joy is interacting with wonderful person, and nothing fills the soul more than that.

　Speaking of things that fill my soul, I'm truly grateful to my music teacher who strongly recommended me to play the piano in high school period, but he's no longer in this world. Thanks to him, music still fills my life every day. However, music only exists when there are listeners, but, that's missing.

　

どこまでも続く青い空、どこまでも続く麦畑

　愛車ＴＴの一台目は「黄色」で群馬県北部の坤六峠で撮りました。二台目である現在のＴＴは「空色」で榛東温泉で撮りました。ボディーカラーについては全くの偶然ですが、以前に、現役時代にずっと乗っていた２台の「いすゞ１１７クーペ」も同じ色合わせで「黄色と空色」でした。

　想いの中に「私自身の性格は控えめ」なのに、車に関しては美意識と共に安全面を考慮して、道路上で「目立つ」色を考えたのでしょう。

  

　ところで、もう、お気づきのことでしょう。この配色は偶然にも「ウクライナの国旗」と同じです。青はどこまでも続くウクライナの広い空」を表し、黄色はどこまでも続く広い麦畑」といわれます。

　防空壕の中で生まれ育った私としては、他人ごとでなく、ウクライナの子供たちに一刻も早く平和が訪れることを願ってます。

Dear my friends

　My first beloved Audi TT was yellow, and this photo was taken at Konroku-Pass in northern Gumma Prefecture. On the other hand, as you see every time, my second and current Audi TT is sky blue. This photo was taken at Shinto-Spar in central Gumma Prefecture. The body color is coincidence, my previous two Isuzu 117 Coupes I drove throughout my active career as four High Schools were also the same color scheme: yellow and sky blue.

　I suppose I have a strong sense of modesty in my personality, but when it comes to cars, I want them to stand out on the road, taking aesthetics and traffic safety into consideration.

　By the way, you've probably already noticed. This colors scheme are coincidentally the same as the Ukrainian flag. Blue represents the vast, endless Ukrainian sky, and yellow represents the vast, endless wheat fields.

    

　As I was born and raised in an air-raid shelter during the World War Ⅱ, I hope that peace will soon come to the children of Ukraine.

三途の川を探検・・・こんな薄気味悪いことはない

　群馬県には三途の川が2か所あります。以前に私は写真左の三途川の源流を一人で恐る恐る上流へと歩いて探検してみました。ところが、川は次第に人里を離れ、川幅はますます狭くなり、何の音もしない不気味な奥地へと続いてます。後ろから急に何か出て来て飛びかかるのではないかと不安になりました。

　このため、一人の私はもうこれ以上は引き返せなくなるような雰囲気で危険を察知し、断念して引き返し、その源流を突き止めてません。あのときの心境を思い出すと今でも身震いします。

　もしあなたが、写真のどちらかの川に行ってみたければ、恐怖についてはかなりの覚悟が必要です。私はあのときのことを思い出しただけで今でも何だか気味わるくなり、今宵はよく眠れそうにありません。家に居ても後ろから何か出てきそうです。どうしましょう。

　話に聞く「三途の川」を生きてる間に渡った人はこの世にいません。もしかして、生きてる間の過ごし方についての先人の戒めとも考えられます。生前に、嘘をついたり悪事を重ねると「死後は恐ろしい急流に飲まれ、苦しさこの上もない冷たい川底に沈む」という教えかも知れません。逆に、この世にいる期間に、心豊かに人ために尽くしたり、前向きに明るく生きれば「死後は清い流れに乗り、極楽へ行ける」という教えかも知れません。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the River Styx and great music.

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

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

　In Gumma Prefecture, there are two Styx Rivers. I once ventured alone to explore the source of the Styx River (see photo on the left), cautiously walking upstream. However, the river gradually moved away from civilization, narrowing than ever, leading into a silent, eerie depths in forest. I was afraid that something might suddenly appear from behind and jump on me.

As a result, I sensed danger and felt like I couldn't return any further, so I gave up and turned back, never finding the source of the river. I still shudder when I remember at the time.

　If you'd like to visit either of the rivers in the photo, I can show you around, but you'll need to be prepared for a great deal of fear in advance. Just only remembering that experience still makes me feel uneasy, and I'll not sleep well tonight. Even at home, I feel like something might appear from behind. What should I do?

　No one in this world has ever crossed the legendary "Styx River" in their lifetime. It could also be a warning from our ancestors about how to spend our daily lives while we are alive. It could be that if we lie or commit evil deeds while alive, "after death we will be swept away by a terrifying rapids and sink to the bottom of a cold river in the most painful of circumstances."

　Conversely, it could be that if we devote ourselves to serving others with a rich heart and live a positive and cheerful life while we are here, "after death we will ride the pure current and go to paradise."

暫くぶりの「びっしょ濡れ」

　今夜はとんだ目に遭いました。いつもの通り、高崎のお店で楽しく語り合い、一杯戴きながら2時間ほど夕食を摂り、夢のような充実した時間が過ぎました。その後、帰宅するので高崎駅までは何でもなかったのですが、電車が倉賀野駅に着いたら予想外の物凄い土砂降りです。コウモリ傘は持ってないし、コウモリ傘が有っても役に立たない降り方です。

　駅で１０分ほど待ちましたが、ちょっと小降りになったのでシャワーだと思えば何でもないと考え、川のようになってる道を歩き始めたところ、途中から再度、物凄い雨になり、びっしょ濡れです。こんな体験は子供のとき以来です。１０分間、頭からぴっしょ濡れで、暗い夜道を歩いてやっと家に着き、すぐにお湯のシャワーを浴びたら、その後は、何でもないことになり、さっぱりしました。今宵の夕立で庭の植物が生き返り、却って今宵は良い夢が見られそうです。

Dear my friends

　Tonight, I had a crazy experience beyond description. As usual, I enjoyed a pleasant conversation at a tavern named "Baku" in Takasaki-city, had a drink, and ate dinner for about two hours. It was a fulfilling, dreamlike time. After that, I headed home, and it wasn't raining until I got to Takasaki-tation. However, when the train arrived at Kuragano-Station, an unexpected downpour ensued. I didn't have an umbrella, and even if I had, it wouldn't have been much use.

　I waited at the station for about 10 minutes expecting to stop the rain, and when the rain became a little, I thought it would be no big deal by thinking just a shower in home, so I started walking along the river-like road. But halfway through, it started raining heavily again beyond description, and I got completely soaked. It's the first time I've ever experienced since I was a child. I walked along the dark night road for 10 minutes, soaked from head to toe until I finally got home and took a quick hot shower at the bathroom. After that, everything was fine and I felt refreshed. This downpour will revive the plants in my garden. I think I'll have good dreams tonight.

読売新聞「放送塔」に掲載される

　

　９月２日、今朝の読売新聞１９面の「放送塔」に、このブログのコメンテーター「時計屋の隣りさん」の文が掲載されました。誠におめでとうございます。

　つきましては多くの皆様に、ご紹介いたします。

　　　　　　膳場さん考え抜いたアナウンス
　８月17日のTBS「サンデーモーニング」で、司会の膳場貴子さんは、茶道裏千家の前家元の千玄室さんの訃報を伝える際、で「さどう、ちゃどう」と重ねて読んでいた。辞書的には、どちらの読み方も正しい。読みの問題だけではなく、膳場さんは茶道全体への敬意をしっかりと示していると感じた。考え抜いたアナウンス術だと思った。

　　　　　読売新聞（7・9・2）「放送塔」に掲載

　「茶道」
　「茶道」の読み方は辞書的に「さどう」「ちゃどう」どちらも正しいようですが、特に精神や流派について語る場合は「さどう」と呼ばれることが多い。
茶道の流派の一つである大日本茶道学会の、正式名は「だいにほんちゃどうがっかい」

本当に美味しい「鯵の開き」

　
　今日も相変わらず暑かったので汗をかき、4時頃より「吉井牛伏ドリームセンター」までドライブし、入浴してきました。このため、疲れも解消し、今夜の夕食【生ビール付き】が待ち遠しいです。

　今夜のおつまみは「あじの開き」です。これを焼いて食べると本当に美味しく、最近は病みつきになりました。物価高の折、２匹で３００円台と安いです。明日も食べられます。ただ孤食は寂しいです。

Dear my friends

　It was hot again today, so I perspired, and around 4pm I drove to "Yoshii Ushibuse Dream Center" and took a bath. This helped to relieve my fatigue, and I'm looking forward to tonight's dinner which includes draft beer.

　Tonight's snack is grilled horse mackerel. It's so delicious, I've addicted to eat it recently. Generally, prices so high now, it's cheap at around 300 yen for two. I can eat it again tomorrow. But it's lonely eating alone.

階段を見ると登ります。

【階段があると登りたくなります。写真左は鏑川の土手の階段、右は水沢寺の階段です。】

　私の居間は二階のため、テレビもパソコンも食事も二階であり、寝室も二階です。このため数えたことはありませんが、階段の昇り降りは一日に２０～３０回でしょう。これにより、普段の生活の中で足腰を鍛えてることになります。一方、意識して行うのはラジオ体操会場まで徒歩で往復で２０分、体操が１０分間で、毎朝、朝食前に３０分動いており、空腹となって朝食は美味しいです。これで朝食を作ってくれる人が居れば申し分ないです。現実は厳しい。

　人間の心とは、動かないでいると益々動くのが億劫になる傾向で、これは悪循環です。逆に好循環となって、もっと動きたくなる気持ちにしたいものです。この事は勉強についても言えるでしょう。少しでも効果が出ると更に究めたくなるものです。

　という私も不完全な人間で意志も弱く、先日購入した「天声人語」を２～３日前にやっと始めたところです。こんなことで新たな言葉の収穫や「独創的な発想」が生じるでしょうか。気持ちを入れ替えなくてはなりません。

　ところで、最近は喫茶「さんぽ道」に行くことから、新たな人との出会いもあり、これは楽しいです。出会ったら、その方の良さを知ろうと、いろいろ話してみることにしてます。共通項があれば話は弾み、また、会いたい気持ちが生じるものです。これも好循環の一つでしょう。今日から９月。心身ともに新規巻き直しで生活します。

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.

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

　My living room is on the second floor, so that my TV, computer, meals, and bedroom are all on the second floor, too. Because of this, I've never counted, but I probably go up and down the stairs 20 to 30 times a day. This strengthens my legs and back in my everyday life. Meanwhile, I consciously walk 20 minutes round trip to the radio gymnastics venue at the park and then do 10 minutes of gymnastics. I'm moving for 30 minutes every morning before breakfast, which makes me hungry and makes breakfast delicious. If I had a lady to make breakfast for me, that would be perfect. The reality is harsh.

　The human mind tends to become increasingly reluctant to move if we don't move, which is a vicious cycle. We should instead create a virtuous circle that makes us want to move more. The same can be said for studying. Seeing even the slightest effect makes us want to study even more.

　As you know, I'm an imperfect human with a weak will, and I only just started reading "Tensei Jingo," a magazine I recently purchased a few days ago. Will this lead to new vocabulary or creative ideas? I need to change my mindset.

　Not change the subject, but recently I've been going to the cafe "Sampo-michi" and meeting new people especially ladies, which is fun. When I meet someone, I try to talk about various topics with the aim of "Getting to know whose good points." If we have something in common each other, the conversation flows easily and I end up wanting to meet her again. This is also a virtuous circle. Today begun September. I'm going to start life afresh, both physically and mentally.

[Stairs make me want to climb them. On the left in the photo are the stairs on the bank of the Kabura River, and on the right are the stairs at Mizusawa-dera Temple.]