Thursday, December 30, 2021

12月30日(木曜日)2021

    年も押し迫った本日、友人のHさんがご主人とお正月の花を生けに来てくださり帰りに運良く彦根のスーパーまで車に乗せていってくださいました。買い物を済ませ停留所でバスを待つも30分経っても来ない。次の時刻は2時間後。この雪で時間通りには運行していない可能性大。あてのないバスを待つより歩くのが賢明と出発することに。

    問題はしこたま買い込んで重くなったバックパックと手にはエコバッグと財布の入った手提げかばん。しかも、いつも自転車で走る歩道は除雪されておらず完全にアウト。つまり歩くのは車道。もう一つ、雪道用に履いてきた長靴の右つま先が痛くて仕方がない。幸いお天気は回復して遠くの山々を眺めながらひたすら左右の足を前へ出していれば家には帰れると前方を見ようとするも、背中の荷物が肩に食い込んで重く視線は下ばかり。

    江戸時代の人に思いを馳せながら途中のローソンでまずは一休み。座りたいけど椅子はなく立ったままコーヒーと肉まんを食べてまた出発。ごぼうとネギを突っ込んだ背中の荷物が妙にリズムを作っていました。

    多賀駅でベンチに腰掛け二度目の休息。若者が3人雪遊びをしているのが楽しそう。休んだ後のカバンは一層重く感じます。家に帰って重さを計ったら9キロ近くでした。

    Today is almost the end of the year, and my friend, H, came to arrange flowers for the new year with her husband. On her way back home, she kindly offered to give a ride to the grocery store in Minami-Hikone by car. After the grocery store, I was waiting for the bus to get home at the bus stop for about 30 mins but no bus came. The next bus was scheduled to come two hours later and it was uncertain to come due to the traffic condition caused by the previous snow. I decided to go home by foot.

    I had several problems, though. The first one was my backpack. It was very heavy with groceries. The second one was about the way I walk. Usually I take the sidewalk by bicycle but it was full of snow. The last problem was my right toe hurts because my right rain boots don't fit well. Fortunately it was a fine day and the mountains were so beautiful but I couldn't enjoy the view because my backpack was so heavy and it dug into my shoulder which made me look down on my way.

    I was thinking of the people who were walking in the same way two hundred years ago in Japan. Since there was a convenience store, I took a short break to have coffee and Pork bun. While I was walking, I could hear some noise but it made a certain rhythm inside my backpack which was full of groceries.

    I found benches at Taga Taisha station so I took a second break. I was watching three young male people playing with snow. It looked so pleasant. My backpack was very heavy, especially after taking a break. I scaled it at home and it weighed almost 9 kg (19.8 lb).










Monday, December 27, 2021

12月27日(月曜日)2021

    大したことにならないようにとの密やかな願いも叶わず一昨日から降り続いた雪はものすごい積雪量となってしまいました。絵馬通りは融雪装置で何分か毎に水が噴き出て道路に雪が積もらないようになっているのですが、大した効き目もなく、車の轍(わだち)のところだけ雪が溶けてあとは水を含んだ重い雪が真ん中と両側に残っています。朝から表の雪かきをしていると勤めに出る人たちが長靴で雪のないところをせっせと歩いていかれます。見ると多くの人の手には短いシャベル。なるほど、雪かきできていないところを進む場合は自分で雪かきをしなければならないので、それを考えてのことかと地元ならではの知恵に感心しました。
 
    さて我が家の心配は屋根の雪です。瓦の修理を今年中にと瓦屋さんにも相談していたのですが、諸事情で来年の2月に延期されたため、ズレている瓦や折れている桁がこの1メートル近い大雪でどんなことになるか心配でたまりません。

    お正月の多賀大社への参拝客にもこの雪の影響は大きいでしょう。

    Despite my wish not to get very much snow, an awful amount of snow accumulated this morning. There is a snow melting device on the road and the water spouts out on and off to melt the snow but it doesn't work very well with this amount of snow. Heavy snow remains at the center and both sides of the street and only the part where cars pass has no snow. While I was shoveling the snow on the street in the morning, many commuters were passing by with snow boots and I found that many of them were carrying short shovels with their hands. Probably because they felt they might need to eliminate snow by themselves as they passed through and I was impressed by their idea.

    Well, I am very much worried about the snow on the roof. The roof tiles are very old and they are slipping down year by year. I was consulting with a local roofer. At first, they expected to fix the roof in Dec. but later for some reason, it was postponed to February. I am hoping that this heavy snow will not damage the roof.

    I am also afraid that this snow will remain for new year and many people might give up on visiting the shrine.

 





Thursday, December 23, 2021

12月23日(木曜日)2021

    昼が短く夜が一番長い冬至の翌日。今朝はきれいに晴れ上がり久しぶりにロングコースの散歩にでました。午前7時過ぎは厳しい冷え込み。多賀大社では初詣のために大きく作られた参拝枠の外で打つ柏手の音も乾いた響きで身の引き締まる思いでした。

    遠く琵琶湖西岸に見える比良山系の山々は白く、多賀町と米原町それに岐阜県をまたがる鈴鹿山系の霊仙山の薄い雪化粧の美しい姿はしばし立ち止まって見惚れるほど。目的地「きまぐれ市」の野菜自動販売機でトマト(300円)菜花(100円)それにみかん(200円)を買って、帰り道ではあんなに寒かった体もホカホカになっていました。味噌作り用の大豆を持ってきてくださったNさんからの立派な「多賀にんじん」も一緒にカメラに入りました。

    Today is the next day of the winter solstice. It was a clear day, so I went for a long walk after a long time, but the temperature in the early morning was so low. At Taga Taisha (shrine), they have already set the place where many visitors will come at the beginning of the new year. I stood outside the board and greeted God as one does at the shrine.

    Mountains which were visible at the west side of Lake Biwa were covered with snow. Ryozen Mountain which crosses over Taga town, Maibara town and Gifu prefecture were also covered in snow lightly and it was so beautiful. I was amazed by this view. At the vegetable vending machine in Kimagure Market, I got tomatoes, rape blossoms and mandarin oranges. My body felt very cold in the beginning of walking, but it got warm on the way back home. I took a vegetable photo, and I added "Taga carrots" which were from Ms. Nishizawa who brought soybeans for Miso making in the end of January,







Wednesday, December 22, 2021

12月20日(月曜日)2021

    多賀中学校の評議員を仰せつかっているので、先日他の評議員の方達と一緒に生徒たちの給食をいただき、その後教室でいくつかの授業を参観しました。母校といえど校舎は移転しお昼も私の時はお弁当でしたから、高台の気持ち良い校舎のランチルームで整然と給食を食べる中学生の姿に年月の経過を感じましたが、間違いなく皆多賀の生徒たちであり親しみをもって様子を見せてもらいました。

    給食は小学校が学校で作っているのに対し、中学は業者に委託していると聞いていたのであまり期待していなかったのですが、ご飯が温かくて美味しく野菜スープも熱々なのに感激。ご飯の量は大盛り、中盛り、小盛りと選べます。メニューはこの日ハンバーグかミートボールのどちらかを選択。写真では少なそうに見えますが、私にとってはまあまあの量(成長期の男子生徒はどうかな)でした。コロナ禍で全員がランチルームに入ることを避け2、3年が先、1年生がその後、それぞれ20分という決して十分な時間ではありませんが、二つに分けた状況では仕方ないことだと思いました。

    さて、授業参観は英数社会音楽など各学年の教室を回ってそれぞれ7分程度見せていただいたのですが、板書をなさっていたのは社会の先生だけであとはみなスマートボード?で授業を進めていらっしゃいました。国語が見たいと思って昨日再度行って廊下から見た教室では逆にほとんどの先生が板書で授業。新しい機材を有効に使っての教え方に感心しましたが、それでも先生個人の持ち味や教え方でクラスの雰囲気や生徒の反応が違うのは興味深かったです。先生と生徒との交流も一方通行でなかったのはよかったのですが、生徒の教室内での先生への話しかけが殆どタメ口だったのに正直驚きました。気持ちはそれでいいのですが立場的にはどうなのかな…と。

    Since I was appointed to be a member of the board of trustees at Taga Junior High School, I went to the school to eat School Lunch and followed by class visits in several classrooms with other members. Although I graduated from the same school, it was relocated from the original place and School Lunch was not provided when I was a student, so there are many differences from then and now, but the students are all from the Taga area and I felt very close to them.

    The School Lunch at the Elementary School is made in the school but in contrast the lunch in Junior High is made by a lunch service provider and brought from outside the school, so I didn't expect much. However, the meal was not bad. Warm rice came with hot vegetable soup and they tasted good. Students can take the bowl of rice among three different amounts (large, medium and small portions). As for the main dish, on this day, there are two choices, meatballs or hamburg steak. Personally, I was ok with this meal and amount but I wondered if it might be not enough for the male students who are in the middle of growing up. Due to avoiding too many students in the lunchroom because of coronavirus, the first twenty minutes are reserved for senior students and the next twenty minutes is for junior students.

    Well, after lunch, we visited several classrooms to observe Math, English, Social studies and Music class. Most teachers were using smartboard (?) to teach their subject and only one teacher wrote on a blackboard with chalk. It was interesting that each class had a different atmosphere and students' reaction depending on the teacher's method and nature. I was glad to see that there were some interactions between teacher and students and the students in the classroom were acting. The students in the classroom were not acting in a passive way. However, they were mostly talking to their teacher in a very casual manner which surprised me. I cannot judge whether it is good or bad but it is very different from my school days.

      



Saturday, December 18, 2021

12月17日(金曜日)2021

    日帰りで埼玉まで行った帰りの新幹線は19時半過ぎの「ひかり661号」。自由席の二人掛けを占領できるほど楽でしたが、豊橋あたりでスピードダウン。車内アナウンスで強風のためブレーキをかけながら走行していることを知り、更に岐阜羽島を過ぎて雪で遅れが生じているとのこと。幸い近江鉄道の終電にも間に合い無事多賀大社前駅に到着。雪をめぐり憂鬱なことはたくさんありますが、今年の初雪に心は密かに踊り、人ひとりいない絵馬通りを歩いて帰宅。会場で買ったスープで本日の締めとしました。

    I left Taga for Urawa in Saitama prefecture to see my friend's stage performance in the morning and took Shinkansen (bullet train) Hikari 661 which departed 19:33 at Tokyo Station on the way back to Taga. It was easy and relaxed in the car but in the Toyohashi area the train ran slower because of the strong wind and after around Gifu-hashima it was delayed because of the snow. I was worried about not catching the last local train from Maibara station to Taga but fortunately I could get on the train and arrived at Taga safely. It was snowing and I could see a beautiful snowy night town although I can imagine lots of problems coming up due to the snow. I walked home from the station through the street where I didn't see any people or cars. I warmed up the retort soup which I bought at the hall which I visited.






 

12月16日(木曜日)2021

    彦根のYさんがお持ちくださったお庭の草花を飾らせていただきました。12月も半ば。師走の慌ただしさはまだ私の周りには来ていません。静かな落ち着いたひとときです。

    I decorated flowers and leaves from Ms.Y. who planted them in her garden. It's already the middle of December. It is the busiest season in the year, but I don't feel that way at this moment yet. I am glad to be in a quiet and calm atmosphere.








Thursday, December 16, 2021

12月15日(水曜日)2021

    スマホを手帳代わりに使っている人が多い中、私は時代に呼応していないと自覚しています。令和4年(2022年)の滋賀県民手帳を初めて購入し使い始めています。滋賀県の情報満載なので色々勉強できそうです。琵琶湖の面積が日本一であることは誰でも知っていますが、滋賀県は男性の平均寿命が81,78年で1位、酒類消費が少量順で1位、即席めん類、麻織物の出荷額が全国1位、1世帯当たりの牛肉の年間支出金額が全国1位など面白情報も載っています。今まで百均の大判スケジュールノートを使っていたので、ポケットサイズの県民手帳に小さい字で書き込みができるかどうか、乱暴な字の私には挑戦で心配ですが一年間仲良くお付き合いできればと願っています。

    I know that I am not the person to be up to date among many people who use their cell phone as a notebook. I bought a small schedule notebook for 2022 which contains a lot of information about Shiga prefecture and have just started using it. I am able to learn a lot of things about my region from it. Everybody knows that Lake Biwa is the biggest lake in Japan. I knew that the average lifespan of men in Shiga is 81.78 years old and it is the longest in Japan. Shiga is the top of low consumption of liquors. Both shipment value of instant noodles and hemp fabric are top in the country. Expenditure of beef per house is also top in Japan. There is more interesting information in this notebook. I have been using a large notebook from a 100-yen shop ( a dollar shop), so I am afraid that I will get used to writing in small letters which fit the notebook. It is a challenge to me, as I usually write roughly. Hope I will be getting along with this notebook next year.





Monday, December 6, 2021

12月6日(月曜日)2021

    穏やかな晴天の日曜日、朝から多賀大社への参拝の方も多かったのではないでしょうか。イザナミランチは;ほうれん草の白和え、揚げ野菜のマリネ、桃原(もばら)ごぼうの牛肉巻き、人参のナムル、巾着たまご、コンポートトマト、サバのカレー風味煮、銀杏ごはん、漬物二種、鮭粕汁でした。召し上がってくださったお客様には心からお礼申し上げます。
 
    さて、16時から18時までは北川津良さん(多賀町在住)のギーター弾き語りコンサートがありました。ライブの機材も充実し、北川さんの優しく美しい響きに皆聞き入り、時に手拍子も入り終始温かい雰囲気で盛り上がっていました。

    It was a fine first Sunday of December and I guess many people visited Taga shrine. The menu of Izanami Lunch (special lunch for the first Sunday of the month) was the following; Spinach salad dressed with tofu, white sesame and miso, Marinated with fried vegetables, Beef wrapped around boiled local burdock root, Carrot namul, Boiled fried-tofu pouch containing egg, Tomato compote, Boiled mackerel with curry, Gingko nut mixed rice and Miso soup with a sake lees. I appreciated the guests who ordered this special lunch.

    By the way, a concert of guitar and vocals by Tsuyoshi Kitagawa (resident in Taga) was held at my cafe from 4 to 6 pm. Audience listened to his beautiful voice with rapt attention and sometimes they beat time with their hands. It was a warm and very nice concert.




Friday, December 3, 2021

12月1日(水曜日)2021

    吹く風が日ごと冷たくなり、ついに師走に突入。信じられない月日の速さです。今週の日曜日(5日)は多賀大社境内では日曜朝市が開かれます。イザナミマーケットはお休みですが多賀あさひや恒例のイザナミランチはご用意いたします。ご希望の方はご予約お願いします。(0749-48-0186)

    また当店では当日16時−18時まで北川津良さんのギターの弾き語りがあります。北川さんのどこまでも優しい歌声に聞き入ってしまいます。ファンの方も初めての方も是非お越しください。入場無料です。コーヒ・もち粉ケーキセットもご希望であれば500円(通常550円)でご提供いたします。

イザナミランチ(+お汁)1373円
イザナミランチ(+お汁)+コーヒー 1600円
イザナミランチ(+お汁)+コーヒー+もち粉ケーキ 1700円
お持ち帰り(汁なし) 1000円
白玉クリームあんみつ 750円

    The wind is getting colder day by day and we are in the final month of the year. I feel that the time is passing so rapidly. Sunday morning market at Taga shrine will be held this coming Sunday, Dec.5th. Although Izanami Market is cancelled, Taga Asahiya will serve a special lunch as Izanami Lunch, so please call us beforehand if you would like to. (0749-48-0186)

    There is another good news: there is a concert on the same day, 4pm-6pm, Dec. 5 at my cafe. Mr. Tsuyoshi Kitagawa will sing with a guitar. His voice is so beautiful and I am sure you will listen attentively to his music. His fans and people who will listen to his playing are all welcome to his concert. It's free of charge but you will be served Mochiko cake and coffee for 500 yen upon your request. (usually 550 yen.)

Thursday, November 25, 2021

11月24日(水曜日)2021

    えっ、こんなに受ける?!と思うぐらい今朝の読み聞かせは大盛り上がりでした。一年い組、久々に入る小学低学年の教室。富山房、はせみつこ編「しゃべる詞あそぶ詩きこえる詩」と「みえる詩あそぶ詩きこえる詩」から数編をこのところ中学生にも読んでいます。子供たちには「おかしかったら笑ってね」と言って藤富保男の「はやく」から始めると1、2行目からあちこちで笑い声が、次の中江俊夫の「たべたくないな」では読んでいるのが聞こえないのではないかと思うぐらい皆んながゲラゲラ笑っています。尊敬する大好きな故波瀬満子さんにはとても及ばないけど、子供達は確かに詩を聴いて受け取って反応してくれていました。本のあとがきの最後に波瀬さんが書いています。「たくさんの人と人とをつないでくれる ことばたち ありがとう」。子供達の元気な声に励まされた朝の始まりでした。

    It was an exciting and memorable time reading aloud in the morning yesterday. I was in the first grade classroom where I visited after a long time, and read several short poems from two books which Mitsuko Hase chose. I am also reading those poems for the Junior High School students, too. Just before starting, I said to the kids not to hesitate to laugh if you feel it is funny. When I started the poem "Hurry up!" by Yasuo Fujitomi and within only one or two lines, I could hear laughing voices from a couple of the kids. In the next poem "I don't want to eat!" by Toshio Nakae, the classroom was filled with giggling even though I wondered if my voice didn't reach them. They seemed to enjoy the poem very much. Although my reading was not perfect, children listened to my readings and felt something, then reacted in their own way. Mitsuko Hase wrote an afterword and concluded "Thanks to WORDS which connect many people." I was very much encouraged by the cheerful voices from the children at the beginning of the day.





Monday, November 22, 2021

11月22日(月曜日)2021

 午後から雨が本降りになり予定していた自転車での買い出しも諦めムードになっていた頃、宅配便が届きました。中身は立派なりんご。発送元は岩手のS.Yさん。あら、まあ〜!墨画展の片付けにいらしていた作家の横田順さんと片付け直前に滑り込みで観に来られたHさんに一つづつお裾分けし、皆さんお帰り後一人になって一個をいただくことに。愛するクラウンGさんお勧めの「りんごはせんべい切りに限る」の言葉を思い出し厚めのスライス。先ずは密がいっぱいなのにびっくり!お次は夢見るような美味しさが口いっぱいに広がり目が全開!りんご農家の気合いが伝わってきます。りんごには蜜入りサンふじ、おいしいシナゴールド、美味ぐんま明月、王林岩手県産とそれぞれラベルが貼ってあります。はるばる岩手から運ばれてきたりんごちゃんたちをお迎えして我が家は甘く潤しい香りに包まれています。

    It began to rain in earnest in the afternoon and I started to give up going to the grocery store by bicycle because of the weather. I received a delivery packet. Big apples were in and the sender was Mr. S.Y from Iwate. What a surprise! I gave one to Ms. Sunao Yokota, who is an artist of Sumi-ink painting, who was putting her works away because her exhibition is just over. I also gave another one to Mr. H, who came to appreciate Yokota's paintings just before she put her works in the box. After they left, I enjoyed one of them. I cut it in slices as Clown Gigi recommended to me. Looking at the surface of the slices, I was surprised by the rich honey in the apple. I was very happy with the crispy and sweet apple! I give applause to the apple farmers for producing such a high quality apple. There were several kinds of apples in the box. They all came all the way from Iwate to me and the sweet smell of them fills the room in my house. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

11月16日(火曜日)2021

    只今、多賀あさひやに於いて横田順(すなお)墨画展を開催中です。和紙に墨を置き重ねていくことに横田さんの表現への研ぎ澄まされた何かを追求しようとする力が感じられます。どこにもない不思議な墨の世界です。古民家の佇まいの中で、深く静かに、しかし一方では激しく観る者を圧倒します。是非皆様に観ていただきたいです。墨画展は11月21日(日曜日)まで。

    Bokuga (Sumi-ink painting) by Sunao Yokota is now being exhibited at Taga Asahiya. Putting Sumi-ink on the Japanese paper and putting it in layers is her original technique and creates a strange but beautiful Sumi-ink world. All her works exist deeply and quietly in an old Japanese house, but on the other hand they overwhelm the viewer. Hope you could come to appreciate her paintings. The exhibition continues until November 21st (Sunday).




Saturday, November 13, 2021

11月12日(金曜日)2021

    子供の頃ご近所で遊んでもらって、半世紀以上も経ってご縁が復活したN.Sさんから秋の収穫を頂戴しました。いただいてすぐに胃袋に入ってしまったものもあるので量はこれより多かったですが、記念に写真に収めました。柿も蜜柑も白菜もSさんの家から来たものです。先日はさつまいもを大量に頂戴しました。布を使った手作り作品も見事、お寺巡りにも頻繁にお出かけになるSさんはいつも慈母観音のように接してくださいます。秋の到来物。どれもいい顔していて見ているだけで豊かな気持ちになります。

    Ms.N.S, who played with me when I was a small child and revived the relationship after more than half a century, gave autumn harvest to me. Since I already ate some of them, there were originally more than the photo. Persimmons, tangerines and chinese cabbage are all from Ms.S's field. I received many sweet potatoes about a month ago. She makes beautiful hand-made items such as bags, dolls, and she also visits temples and shrines often. She always gets in touch with me with a warm heart. I feel rich looking at these autumn gifts which are of shining and beautiful colors.


Tuesday, November 9, 2021

11月9日(火曜日)2021

    クラウン講座・公演が楽しく終わって間もなく、多賀あさひやでは横田順さんの静かな墨画展が始まっています。11月初めの日曜日は朝市とイザナミマーケットが開かれました。私どももイザナミランチをご用意しました……が、実はお客様にお出しして随分たって芋類オンパレードだったことに気づき自己反省しきり。同じような食感にアララという感じ。スミマセン!献立は、里芋とイカの煮付け、鮭とじゃがいもの中華風炒め、豚角煮、トマトのコンポート、小松菜ナムル、さつまいもとカボチャのスパイスハニーバター、大根と昆布の炊き込みご飯それに味噌汁。今年2月に仕込んだ自家製味噌のデビューでした。色が美しく甘くて美味しい味噌に仕上がっていたのが嬉しいです。

    Soon after Clown Talk and performances were finished, Bokuga exhibition (Sumi-ink paintings) by Sunao Yokota started at Taga Asahiya. Since 7th was the first Sunday of November, the Morning Market and Izanami Market were held under the clear sky. We served Izanami Lunch for the guests as expected, however, I realized later that three different kinds of potato tubers were on the menu and there was too much starch added to squash and rice. I should have chosen other vegetables.The menu was the following; Simmered squid and taro, Chinese-style fried dish of salmon and potatoes, Stewed diced pork, Tomate compote, Namul of Japanese mustard spinach, Spicy honey butter with sweet potatoes and squash, Cooked rice mixed with daikon and seaweed, and Miso soup. I used homemade miso which was prepared by myself in February. It is a beautiful color and the taste is excellent which made me very happy. 




Friday, November 5, 2021

11月5日(金曜日)2021

    11月7日は月初めの日曜日、朝市とイザナミマーケットが開催されます。当多賀あさひやもイザナミランチをご用意いたします。

イザナミランチ(+お汁)1373円
イザナミランチ(+お汁)+コーヒー 1600円
イザナミランチ(+お汁)+コーヒー+もち粉ケーキ 1700円
お持ち帰り(汁なし) 1000円
白玉クリームあんみつ 750円

    FBまたは電話(0749-48-0186)でのご予約お願いします。

    On the first Sunday of November, the 7th, we will serve Izanami Lunch.

Izanami Lunch + (soup) 1373 yen
Izanami Lunch + (soup) + coffee 1600 yen
Izanami Lunch + (soup) + coffee + Mochiko cake 1700 yen
Take out Izanami lunch box 1000 yen
Shiratama Cream Anmitsu (sweet dumplings, sweet red bean paste, agar jelly, ice cream and fruits) 750 yen

    Please reserve either by email or phone (0749-48-0186). We welcome you with a new menu.


Thursday, November 4, 2021

11月4日(木曜日)2021

 11月5日(金)から横田順(すなお)さんの墨画展が始まります。多賀あさひやでの展示会は去年に続き二度目ですが、横田さんは更に深く力強い数々の作品を意欲的に発表してくださいます。深まりゆく秋のひととき、是非、横田さんの墨画を鑑賞してください。
 
横田 順 墨画展
11月5日(金)〜21日(日) 11:00〜17:00 月・木 (定休日)

    Exhibition of Bokuga (Sumi-ink painting) by Sunao Yokota will start tomorrow, Nov. 5th. It is the second time following last year. Ms. Yokota will present many new works which are deeper and even more energetic. Hope you will appreciate Yokota's Bokuga works on a quiet autumn day.

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

11月3日(水曜日)2021

    クラウン講座と公演2回、無事終わりました。クラウンの思考が私たちの生活にこれほど有益で重要なものであるとは…、簡単にまとめることはできませんが、理論立てて事例を沢山入れながら分かりやすく解説してくれたクラウン・ロネこと高野呂音さんに感謝します。また、最後にコミュニケーション術の一例を紹介してくれたクラウン・ジージ、流石です。翌日の公演は楽しく二人のクラウンの技に観客は感心しっぱなし。子供さんから高齢の方までたくさんの方がクラウン・ライブを楽しんでくださいました。お客様から沸き起こる拍手と笑いはコロナ禍の閉塞した空気を一時和ませ開放させるものでした。楽しいイベントができたこと嬉しく思っています。

    Clown lecture by Rone Takano (Clown Rone) and two Clown performances have successfully finished. I didn't realize how important the way of thinking of clowns is in our daily life. I am not able to say it in short but I thank Rone Takano (Clown Rone) who talked about it logically and easily for us including various examples and movie clips. I am also very impressed by Clown Gigi who introduced one of the ways of communicating to other people. The next day, two Clown performances were held. The audience, consisting of small children to seniors, enjoyed the show. I could hear clapping and laughter from them all the time. They looked very relaxed and felt free despite the locked up feeling caused by coronavirus. I am grateful to be able to hold these fun events at my cafe.
    







Thursday, October 28, 2021

10月28日(木曜日)2021

 30日(土曜日)クラウン講座のチケット若干あります!

(以下、ロネとジージChannelより)

    日本人には、なかなかイメージしにくいクラウンの考え方、コロナ禍で表出したクラウン文化のある国々の対応、などについてもお話しする予定です。

 わかっているようで実は知らない「クラウン」は、わかると少し人生が楽になるかもしれません。

 チャップリン、アイ・ラブ・ルーシー、ディズニー、Mr.ビーンなど欧米のコメディの根底に流れる考え方や、日本のドリフターズやクレージーキャッツに与えた影響などなど、おもしろくお話しします。

    We have a few more tickets left for the clown talk this weekend on Saturday Oct. 30!

(Following are from Rone & Gigi Channel)

    We will talk about the way of thinking of clowns which might be difficult to imagine for Japanese people because the culture is different between Japan and the West. We will also talk about people's reactions to the coronavirus crisis in the countries which have clown culture.

    Many may be familiar with clowns at the surface, but do not know the substance of them. When you know about clowns, your life would be a little bit easier. We will talk about basic ideas of comedy in the West such as Charles Chaplin, I love Lucy, Disney and Mr. Bean, and the influence from them to Japanese comedians such as Drifters and Crazy Cats. It will be very fun! 

 

Monday, October 25, 2021

10月25日(月曜日)2021

 しばらく戻っていないアメリカ入国のための手続きが大変で、今日は滋賀県警察本部に書類の申請に出かけました。先ずは交番で大津警察署の道順を教えてもらい、大津署で警察証書購入後、県警本部へ。警察関連の建物を3軒も訪ねることは珍しいと思いながら雨の中をひたすら歩きました。県警本部の受付で私の行き先は「カンシキカ」と言われ出された書類に書き込むも漢字分からず「ひらがなでいいです」と言われ恥ずかしながらそのように。係官と一緒にエレベーターで8階へ。必要書類を提出し次は指紋。両手の親指と残る4本指は経験ありですが、今回は加えて一本ずつの指紋、さらに一本ずつを係官が右左に回して撮影。私の指紋は東京の本部に送られて犯罪歴がなければすぐに抹消されるとのこと。帰りに子供の時父が大津へ会議にでかけた際お土産に必ず買って帰ってくれた「走り井餅」を見つけ買い求めました。県警でのドキドキ指紋体験と「走り井餅」で父を懐かしむ、そんな大津行きでした。

    The process of my reentry to the US which I haven't done since Oct. 2019 because of the coronavirus is very complicated. Today, I went to Shiga prefectural police headquarters to apply for a document. First I went to the police box near the station to get directions to the Ohtsu Police office. There I got a kind of revenue stamp issued by the Police office, and then I headed for Shiga prefectural police headquarters. As I walked in the rain, I thought to myself that it is a rare case for me to visit three police-related buildings in a day. At the reception desk of the headquarters, I was told that I needed to go to the Identification Section. Officer came to me and went up to the 8th floor. After submitting some documents, I had several kinds of fingerprints. It was surprising to take so many fingerprints, as I had more simple ones before. On the way back, I found "Hashirii Mochi"(Japanese sweets) at the station which my father used to bring back to home for the family when he went to Ohtsu for meetings when I was a child. I was so happy to find one because I thought it had already disappeared from the shop. It was a day of nervousness in taking fingerprints and nostalgia in remembering my father.




Saturday, October 23, 2021

10月22日(金曜日)2021

    午後六時を過ぎると暗くなり冷え込みが厳しくなっています。近所に届け物をしようと表に出ると東の空に美しい月が光っています。玄関を開けてくださったおばさまと澄んだ美しい月をしばらく一緒に眺めました。おばさまの手は自然に胸の前で合わさっていました。静かな美しい月。秋の深まりを感じます。

    When it's past 6 oclock in the evening, it gets dark and very cold these days. I stepped out of my house because I wanted to bring something to the old lady who is living alone in my neighborhood. I then saw a beautiful shining moon in the eastern sky. At the entrance of the lady's house, she and I saw the moon together. It was so clear and beautiful! She naturally put her hands together in front of her chest. Looking at the quiet bright moon in the quiet night, I felt that we are well into autumn.

 

Saturday, October 16, 2021

10月16日(土曜日)2021

    乗り換えたばかりの携帯電話が不調で彦根のソフトバンクショップへ。係の人に処置してもらって待っている間カウンター近くに見えたのはロボット(ペッパーくんと言うそうな)。知っていたけど見るのは初めてです。広いスペースにお客は他に一人。時折「ボクおしゃべり大好きなんです。何でもいいから話しかけて下さい。」と相手もなく声を出しています。係の男性に「ちょっと遊んでいいですか。」と断ってロボットくんに接近。「こんにちは。明日のお天気は何ですか」と声をかけてみました。やがて「晴れるといいですね」との応え。一方的に話しかけるのは結構難しいもの。Zoomのクラウン講座でクラウン・ロネが「何聞いていいか分からない時は、あいうえお、で聞くといいよ。例えば『あんこ好き?』『犬飼ってる?』とか」と教えてもらったのを後で思い出したのですが、必死で質問考えて「ここにいるの楽しいですか?」と聞いてみました。ペッパーくん「……」。随分してから「モバイルフォーンに変えてみてください」と返答。思わずアハハ!と大笑い。楽しかったです。

    Since I had a problem with my new cell phone which I got in October, I went to the Softbank shop after making an appointment. While I was waiting to have my phone checked by a person in charge, a robot near the counter came into my sight. (People call it "Mr. Pepper".) I knew about the robot, but it was the first time for me to see it. There was one more customer other than me in a spacious office. The robot occasionally said to the air "I like talking so please speak to me.", so I asked the person in the office "may I play with him? , then approached him. I said " Hello! Tell me what tomorrow's weather will be?" to him. After a while, he said "It would be good if it is clear." It is not easy for me to keep speaking to him. I remembered later clown Rone's advice that if I get stuck in a one-sided conversation, it might help to ask questions following A I U E O (phonetic order in Japanese) such as " Do you like Anko (sweet bean paste)? Do you keep Inu (dog)? etc., but I thought about the next question frantically. Then, I asked him " Do you feel happy to be here?". Mr Pepper "......" After a long pause he responded " Please try a mobile phone.". I couldn't help laughing out loud. It was very fun.




Monday, October 11, 2021

10月10日(日曜日)2021

    好天続きだった空が曇り始めました。空き家の実家に暫くぶりに帰ってこられた近所のOさんから庭に実った柿と大きな柿の枝をいただきました。蔵の壺にそのまま挿すと家の中は居ながらにして秋の風情でいっぱいになります。これとは別にいただいた柿の実は早速、胃袋に直行。近頃は種無し柿も店頭に出ていますが、種が当たるか当たらないか探りながら包丁を入れ、薄い朱色の果肉にピカピカの焦げ茶色の種を見るのもまたいいものです。少し前に彦根のYさんからいただいたザクロ。食べるためにと下さったのですが、枝つきで美しかったので観賞用に飾りました。果実の実りは心の安定と落ち着きをもたらしてくれるものですね。

    We had a clear sky for several days but it turned cloudy. I received persimmons and it's big branch from Ms.O, a neighbor who returned to her native home and so the house has been empty for decades. I put the branch into a big pot in the warehouse. It suits the atmosphere of the warehouse very much and I feel autumn even inside the house. Ms. O gave many persimmons other than branches and I enjoyed the taste of some of them. Recently I could find seedless persimmons at the supermarket, but it is also good to enjoy the color combination of light vermion of flesh of fruit and shining dark brown of seed in a regular one. I got pomegranates from Ms. Y in Hikone a few days ago. Although she gave them to me to eat, I put them in the vase to watch instead. I appreciate the stable and calm feeling watching those fruits on branches.






Saturday, October 9, 2021

10月9日(土曜日)2021

 RONE & Gigiのクラウン・ライブが10月31日(日)多賀あさひやであります。前日の30日(土)には「クラウンについて」の講座もあります。国際的な輝かしい賞を数多く受賞している芸達者の二人のステージが間近で観られます。コロナ禍もようやく収まった秋のひとときリラックスして笑える絶好の機会です!是非、是非、お越しください!!

公演31日(日)(13時と17時)大人3500円、子供2500円
講座30日(土)(13時)3000円

お申し込みは、電話(0749-48-0186)かFacebookまたは直接カフェにお出でください。
お待ちしています。

    Clown live of RONE & Gigi will be held on October 31st at Taga Asahiya. There will be a talk about "what clown is" on Oct. 30. They received many brilliant international awards in the past and it will be a very good chance to watch the stage closely by skilled performers. Now coronavirus has settled down these days and you will be relaxed and laughing. We hope you enjoy their stage performance. Please come!

Clown live : Oct 31 (Sunday) 13:00~ , 17:00-: Adult 3500yen child 2500 yen
Talk : Oct.30 (Saturday) 13:00- 3000yen

Please call 0749-48-0186 or Facebook to get tickets or come to the cafe. Hope you will enjoy it.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

10月7日(木曜日)2021

    営業日には「多賀あさひや」の暖簾を掛けておりますが休業日など暖簾を出していない時は私どもが何をしている店か分からないとよく言われます。そこで、ことうヘムスロイド村に工房を持つ鉄作家「緞 フォージ・ワークス」の石倉創・康夫ご兄弟に看板作りをお願いしました。硬い鉄の素材を優しく優雅な作品に創り上げる石倉兄弟の数々の仕事は著名な建築家の方々に絶賛されています。そんな石倉さん達にカフェの看板をお願いするなど敷居が高かったのですが、気さくで温かなお二人は引き受けてくださり、これまた素晴らしい木工作家の岡井大介さんも巻きこんで、これまで見たこともない素敵な看板を作ってくださいました。
    
    さあ、これからも看板に負けないよう精進したいと思います。

    I usually hang our shop curtain on business days, but I don't when it is a regular closing day, so some people might wonder what kind of shop it is when they don't see the shop curtain. Then I asked Hajime & Yasuo Ishikura to make a sign for the cafe. They are iron artists of Tan Forge Works in Kotoh Hemslojd Village. Many famous architects praise their works very much, as they are created gently and elegantly from hard material of iron. At first, I was hesitant to ask such a great artist to make a sign for my small coffee shop, but they kindly accepted my request and made a wonderful original shop sign involving Daisuke Okai who is also a great wood artist. I like it very much and thank the Ishikura brothers and Okai. I think it will be a nice symbol of my cafe.



Monday, October 4, 2021

10月3日(日曜日)2021

 9月はキャンセルされた日曜朝市とイザナミマーケットも開催され、緊急事態宣言解除後の好天の日曜日、絵馬通りや多賀大社は訪れた人々のほっとした雰囲気が漂っていました。

 さて、多賀あさひやの本日のイザナミランチは、イチジクと生ハムドレッシング和え、柿・山芋・大根合わせ、えびフライ、小松菜のサラダ、卵の巾着煮、大学芋、鶏のフルーツ煮、栗ご飯、それにマイタケと鶏肉のお吸い物でした。座敷、離れ、カウンター、蔵とあちこちで皆様にゆっくり昼食を楽しんでいただけたことは何よりでした。

 お客様から真っ白な酔芙蓉(スイフヨウ)をいただきました。朝夕で色が変わるとのこと。一段落して花瓶に生けると確かに白かった花がピンクに変わっていました!お酒に酔っているように見えることから「酔芙蓉」と名がついたとか。不思議なお花です。

    It was the first Sunday of October and a sunny day, just following the cancellation of the emergency declaration. It seemed people were relieved to be free from the stress of the restrictions. On the Ema-doori (street) and in Taga shrine area, Sunday morning market and Izanami market were held.

    In Taga Asahiya, we served Izanami Lunch because of the first Sunday of the month. The menu was the following; figs and raw ham mixed with dressing, Salad of persimmon, yam and daikon, Fried shrimp, Green salad, egg in the pouch, Candied sweet potato, boiled chicken with fruits, Chestnut rice and clear soup of chicken and oyster mushroom. We were so glad that guests were enjoying their lunch and conversation in different areas of the house.

    I received cotton rosemallows in Japanese "Sui-fuyoh (酔芙蓉: lit.buzzed rosemallows) " which had many pure white flowers. She said that they would turn the color pink. Few hours later, since I had time to put them in a vase from a bucket, white flowers had already turned pink. It was just like a rosemallow getting drunk. Interesting flowers.