１１月３０日（土曜日）２０２４　
　瞬く間に１１月が駆け抜けていきました。１１月はロネとジージ、それにマギー、３人のクラウンがやってきて、ライブ２回と講座を開いてくれたほか、我が家は滋賀の各地や京都でのライブやイベント出演の拠点となり、皆と過ごす毎日は何とも賑やかで楽しいものでした。

　クラウンライブにお越しくださったO様からいただいた郁子（むべ）の実が、ライブを終えて元の和室にもどった床の間を優しく静かに飾っています。アケビより小さく常緑の上品な「むべ」の葉と実の美しさは格別です。皇室にも献上されているとのこと。今年お亡くなりになり、私自身大変お世話になったお兄様を偲びながらライブを楽しんでくださいました。ネットで「むべ」を調べて「郁子」という漢字があることも初めて知りました。花言葉は「長寿、幸福」。

　素敵な花瓶に入れて郁子をお持ちくださった優しいO様、こんな楽しい素晴らしいライブがあるのかと大喜びしてくださった大勢のお客様、そんなお客様の反応を受けて超絶な技と笑いを披露してくれたロネとジージ。皆様の温かさを感じつつ１１月の最終日を迎えました。ゆったりとした豊かな気持ちです。いつまでも郁子の実を見ていたいです。

November passed quickly. Three clowns, Rone, Gigi and Maggie, came to me and held two Clown Live Performances and Clown Talks at my cafe. They also had a couple of shows and events at several places in Shiga and Kyoto and my place served as a home base for them while they were working in the Kansai area. My house was full of joy and laughter. I was so pleased with them.

Ms. O, who came to the Clown Live, gave me Japanese staunton-vine. I put it in the alcove in the guest room which returned to a normal Japanese room from a temporary Clown Live stage. It is evergreen and the fruit is smaller than chocolate-vine. It looks so elegant. Ms.O let me know that it is presented to the imperial family. Ms. O, who lost her brother early this year, enjoyed the show thinking of him because they had been coming to every event which was held at my place. I received so much support from him as well as Ms.O. The flower language is long life and happiness.

Ms.O brought Japanese staunton-vine with a very nice vase. I thanked her thoughtfulness. A packed audience enjoyed the Clown Live and Talk saying they had never seen such a funny and skillful show. I am grateful to them. Lastly, I thanked RONE and Gigi who gave an amazing show and talk in response to the audience’s wanderful reactions. I am now in a relieved and rich state. I would like to keep watching this beautiful Japanese staunton-vine.

１１月１８日（月曜日）２０２４（長文の報告です）
　ロネとジージのクラウンライブ「ムーンライト セレナーデ」とクラウン講座が終了しました。ライブは両日とも満席、講座も去年の２倍のお客様。お出でくださった皆様には心から御礼申し上げます。

もっと広くて設備の整った会場ならどれほどいいかと出演者やお客様に申し訳ない気持ちになるのですが、数日前から多賀入りしたクラウンたちは心強い有志の手を借りて丁寧に会場を作ってくれました。主催者としては既にこの時点で熱いものが込み上げていました。

さて、ジージ書き下ろしの新作「ムーンライト セレナーデ」は多賀が初公開。何をやってもうまくいかない男の耳には雨の音がやがて万雷の拍手に聞こえ、そこに現れた月うさぎに誘われて夢の世界へ....。観客は何だろうと思いながら知らず知らずロネとジージの巧みなジャグリングやマジック、コミカルなクラウニング、見事な歌唱、それに何回もの早替えに圧倒されながら面白さに引き込まれて、笑ったり拍手を送ったり。ライブショーの醍醐味を味わいました。ボールや長いクラブのジャグリング、ディアボロといわれる中国ゴマの技を目の前で繰り広げるのですから、前のお客様はハラハラドキドキ、TVや遠くのステージを観ているのとは訳がちがいます。お客様の反応が素晴らしくクラウンたちを元気づけているのがわかりました。

ライブの後はクラウン講座。これがまた素晴らしかったのです。クラウンの基本となる形の紹介、欧米人の笑いのツボ、高齢者や介護を受けている人を楽しくさせるコツ、表情についての考察etc.ステージのおボケキャラのロネとはまるで違う高野呂音さんのトークは聴衆を唸らせるほどの博学。それでいて謙虚な人柄。参加者の質問もあり充実した時間でした。続いてジージによるコミュニケーションのコツの紹介と実践。背景の違う参加者の皆さんは大いに役立ったとコメントをいただきました。このクラウン講座は多賀あさひやの特別企画。クラウンがいかに奥深いものであるか。私たちが生きやすくなるためのヒントが満載です。もっともっと多くの方に聞いていただきたいと思います。

今、多賀あさひやは片付けも終わり、また元の和室に戻りました。大勢の人の笑いや熱気に包まれたあの空間は夢のようにも思う今の不思議な気持ち。ロネとジージ、それにアシスタントのマギーのクラウンへの情熱とお客様のニコニコ顔、手伝ってくださったスタッフの皆さんに支えられて今回も公演と講座を終えることができました。感謝でいっぱいです。

Clown Live and Clown Talk finished last weekend. All the seats were full for both live performances and the Talk had twice the number of participants as last year. I thank all of the participants very much.

I feel sorry for the clowns and participants because if we had a bigger space and better equipment, they would be much happier. Clowns who arrived at Taga a couple days before their performance and reliable helpers transformed the Japanese room into a special stage for the Clown Show. I was so impressed about it as an organizer.

Now," The MoonLight serenade" written by Gigi at Taga Asahiya was the first public release. It started with a story about a man who cannot do anything right. When he was providing hand-tissue papers to the pedestrians on the street, the rain started falling. While he was listening to the sound of the hard rain, he thought that it looked like an applause of the audience for him. He entered into his imaginary world and a white rabbit appeared there. RONE and Gigi showed their skillful juggling with balls and juggling clubs, funny clowning, amazing singing, diabolo, etc.. It is very different to watch the real show just in front of the audience rather than to watch on TV or far away from the stage. The reaction of the audience was very good and it encouraged clowns very much.

Clown Talk was followed by the show and it was also amazing. RONE showed us several traditional clown forms, explained about the difference between the laughing points of western people and Japanese, techniques of making fun of an aged person or person being cared for, and talked about facial expression. Audience was overwhelmed by RONE's wide knowledge and her humble personality. After RONE's talk, Gigi introduced the techniques of communication to other people. Many participants gave their comments which were very good and useful to their work. This clown talk was special in Asahiya and didn't exist in other clown shows.

Now, the Clown stage was all dismantled and now the room is back to the usual Japanese guest room. I feel something strange because it was so different between now and that time when clowns were performing. The previous space was packed with people and I feel I was in a dream. Clown lives and Talk were successfully finished and were full of passion of two professional clowns and assistant Maggie, big laughs from the audience and help from staff. I thank all of those people.　　　

櫻井早苗さん提供

櫻井早苗さん提供

櫻井早苗さん提供

クラウン劇団OPEN SESAME 提供

１１月１０日（日曜日）２０２４
　東近江市あかねホールでの「ロネとジージの赤い鼻の魔法」は実に贅沢な楽しい公演でした。

　ビッグイヤーズショーは私自身これまで何度も見てきましたが、今回のような劇場公演は初めてで、序奏となるプロローグから始まってお馴染みのロネジジのビッグイヤーズショーの流れ、加えてロネのマジック、迷子の子供に扮した二人のハンドベル演奏、いないはずの人と怪しげに抱き合うジージのマイムなどが展開し、もうびっくりするぐらいの妙技に、会場は子どもたちの歓声と大人たちの感嘆の拍手に包まれていました。ジャグリングだけでも一体何種類見せてもらったでしょう。照明と音響はロネジジたちを知り尽くした東京のプロのスタッフの力でステージは一層盛り上がりを見せました。


　東近江市の人たちにホンモノを見せたいと今回のロネとジージの招致にご尽力くださったOさんの熱意は観客にしっかりと伝わったと思います。クラウン・ロネとジージの実力に今更ながら脱帽です。

I went to watch the Clown show "RONE and Gigi's Red Noses Magic" at Akane Hall in Higashi-ohmi city. It was a fantastic and joyful performance!

I have watched their Big Ears Show many times before but this time was the first time for me to go to their show on the theater stage with lighting and sound by professional people from Tokyo. It was much longer than the regular Big Ears Show. They started with prologue and magic by RONE, handbell played by two clowns who looked like lost children, pantomime by Gigi which looked like two people holding each other, followed by the regular Big Ears Show. It was really amazing! The hall was full of children's screams of delight and applause by adults.

I was thinking of Ms.O who invited clown RONE and Gigi to the area, saying it is important to show the authentic performer to the people and put her efforts to make it come true. I think her enthusiasm came to fruition and I was overwhelmed by those two clowns' high leveled technique and ability to entertain.

（写真：クラウン劇団OPEN SESAME 提供）

１１月１日（金曜日）２０２４
　薄曇りの少し肌寒い霜月のはじまり。今日から１１月。別名のように昔の人は白い霜や雪に季節の趣を感じていたのでしょう。

　さて、開店の支度をしていると、表にどなたか立っていらっしゃる。見ると彦根のA先生。慌てて中へお入りいただくもお急ぎのご様子。新聞紙の包みを手に持って「福島の蓮根です」と渡してくださいました。ご高齢のご兄弟を訪ね昨日の朝採ったものをお持ちくださったのです。いくつも繋がった蓮根の前兆は５０センチ余り、直径も８センチぐらいある立派なもの。泥の中から蓮根を収穫するのは大変だと聞いていたので、どれほど貴重なものかわかります。店頭で見る蓮根は土つきか洗ったものですが、採りたての蓮根は白くて透明感あるものだそうで変色してしまって申し訳ないとおっしゃいました。いえいえ、こんなに新鮮で立派な蓮根を手にするのは初めてで恐縮しているのは私のほうです。

カフェで提供するいなり寿司には蓮根を入れるし、お弁当のおかずにもよく蓮根を使っており、いくつかレシピが頭に浮かびました。蓮根の効用をみると沢山ありすぎて列挙しきれないくらい、実に健康的な食材です。

１１月のお朔（ついたち）は新鮮な蓮根の到来からはじまりました。

November has just started with a cloudy and a bit cold morning. Since it was called "Shimo-tsuki (Frost Month)" by people in the past, it seems they felt beauty in nature in white such as frost and snow.

When I was preparing my cafe, I saw someone standing outside the cafe. It was Mr. A from Hikone. I opened the entrance sliding door and let him in. He seemed like he didn't have much time and gave something wrapped in the newspaper to me saying it was lotus root from Fukushima. He said that he visited his old brother in Fukushima and the family member took some lotus roots from a bog just the morning of his leaving day. It was a beautiful fresh lotus root which was about 50 centimeters (1.64 feet) and 8 centimeters in diameter. I heard that taking lotus root is very hard, so I appreciated this precious gift. We find two kinds of lotus root at the shop, one is with mud and another one is washed, but according to Mr. A, it's white and clean when it appears in the air. He apologized for being late to bring it to me after it had turned a darker color. It was the first time for me to receive such a fresh lotus root. I thanked him very much.

I like lotus root very much and use it often in my cooking. It is also a very healthy ingredient. There are several recipes in my head.

My November has started with receiving a fresh lotus root!

１０月３１日（木曜日）２０２４
多賀町中央公民館での月３回のヨガ教室。今日は「外ヨガ」と称して紅葉が少し始まった胡宮神社で行われました。

銘々ピクニックシートの上にヨガマットを敷いて、北京子先生の指導のもとにヨガが始まるのですが、自然の中でのこうしたレッスンは精神的にさらに解放されて呼吸も深くなります。名神高速道路のそばなので、騒音が気にならないと言ったら嘘になりますが、ヨガの開始とともに集中力のせいか騒音はどこかへ行ってしまい、時折、木々を飛び交う鳥のさえずりや遠くでキャッキャッと猿とおぼしき鳴き声も聞こえ、暑くも寒くもない外気の気持ち良さを実感。視界に入る木々の緑やほんのり色づき始めた紅葉に囲まれての贅沢な時間に身も心もすっかりリラックスできました。

終わって遅いお弁当タイム。それが終わると、参加者ほぼ全員がカバンからオヤツを出して、円く座った私たちのところに回してくださったのには、びっくり！皆様さすがにお気遣いが半端ない！私ですか？コンビニでシュークリームを一つ買ってそれを自分だけ先に食べ、その後、次々に回ってくるおやつも食べるというチョー浅ましい有様。皆様、ご馳走さまでした！！

I am taking a Yoga lesson three times a week at the town community center. This Thursday, the lesson was held outside and it was on the grounds of Konomiya Shrine.

Each person put a yoga mat on one's picnic sheet, and took the lesson by Ms. Kita's instruction. It was a very different feeling because of the atmosphere. Usually we have a lesson inside the building but this time we were outside and had the very fresh autumn air. I was so free both mentally and physically. Since the highway was near the field, the noise disturbed us, but it was not a big problem. We could concentrate on hearing the instructor's voice and follow the movement. We even heard birds singing and monkeys' voices far away. The temperature was perfect, it was neither hot or cold and I felt so good. We were surrounded by the green of the trees and some autumn foliage which had just begun. It was really gorgeous and I appreciated the valuable time to be able to relax.

After yoga, we had a late lunch and after the lunch, I saw most of the participants took out candy packs or some small sweets from their bag and circulated them to us. I was surprised at this sight. They brought something for others! I didn't have anything for others. What I did was that I ate my own sweet which I bought at the convenience store and ate other candies and sweets as well. I was embarrassed but I enjoyed the treats anyhow.

ロネとジージのコメディライブIN多賀「ムーンライト セレナーデ」とクラウン講座のチケット状況：

11/16（土）14:00~15:30　クラウンライブ　残席あり
11/17（日）12:30~14:00　クラウンライブ　満席
11/17（日）16:00~18:00　クラウン講座　　残席あり

日本には、漫才・落語、新喜劇、狂言など様々な「笑い」がありますが、ロネ＆ジージの笑いはそれとはまた別のコメディスタイル。チャプリンを生んだ欧米の笑いの作法を使い、さらに独自に歌やダンスを入れて、ロネジジならではの笑いの世界を創ります。その実力とセンスの良さには圧倒されます。芸達者な二人の笑いを皆さんの目と耳と肌で体感してください。

チケットのお申し込みは：多賀あさひや（0749-48-0186）またはFBでどうぞ❗❗

Comedy live by Clown RONE & Gigi in Taga. Here are seat availability.

11/16（土）14:00~15:30　Clown live show      Few available seats
11/17（日）12:30~14:00　Clown live show      Full
11/17（日）16:00~18:00　Clown's Talk            Few available seats

There are many laughter styles in Japan such as Manzai (a funny conversation by two), Rakugo (traditional comic storytelling), Shinkigeki (new comic plays), and Kyogen (traditional short comedy play). However, RONE & Gigi's comedy style is different. They use the method of Western laughter style which was also used by Charlie Chaplin, who was a great English comedian. RONE & Gigi add dances and songs and create their own world of laughter. We are overwhelmed by their ability and comedy sense. We hope you will enjoy the sights and sounds of their show first-hand. 

Please reserve the seat at Taga Asahiya (749-48-0186 ) or by email.

１０月１４日（月曜日）２０２４
　朝のもんぜん市で「おやっ？」と思って、見たら「綿の花」と書いてありました。初めて見るものです。
アメリカ南部のプランテーションで黒人奴隷が労働力として綿花を積む姿が頭に浮かびますが、まさか多賀でこれが見られるとは！

「綿の花」と言っても、実際はこれは花ではなく夏に咲かせた花が後で実をつけ、その実が膨らんで１０月ごろから１２月にかけて中からこの白い綿毛を出すそうなのです。これが木々についているのを見ると、まるで白い花が咲いているように見えるとのこと。

ふわふわっで、まるでぬいぐるみのウサちゃんのしっぽ？それとも他に何を連想するかなぁと思いながらじっと眺めています。こんな純粋で赤ちゃんみたいな無垢のものを前にすると、却って現実の重さがひしひしと感じられます。

When I visited local morning market, I found interesting things which was written "Cotton Flowers" on the label. I saw them for the first time. My image of cotton flowers is the scene in which black slaves were picking cotton in the field in a southern plantation in the US but I have never imagined that I would see it in my town.

People call it "Cotton Flower", but it actually is not a flower of cotton. It is more akin to a dandelion. Cotton balls begin to fill and open up where the flowers once were. People say it looks as if white flowers are blooming on the cotton tree.

It's fluffy like the tail of a stuffed rabbit or maybe something else I can imagine. It's so pure and innocent like a baby. Returning to reality, I feel some complicated depressing problems around me.