１２月２８日（木曜日）２０２３

    ロネとジージのクラウン・ライブが２７日、２８日に東京であり、埼玉での別の友人の劇団公演もあったので、応援を兼ねて時間差で観に行ってきました。

    既にお知らせしたようにロネジジの二人はこの秋相次いで骨折するという前代未聞の出来事に遭遇し今後の活動が見えない深刻な状況に陥り、広く緊急支援を求めるに至りました。事故に遭う前、つまり９月のライブが全て満席という絶好調で１２月の再演は多くの方の要望に応える形でした。....が、その後の予期せぬ事故。クラウンが大好き! ステージに立ちたい! 皆さんの応援に応えたい! という二人は、しかしながら無理をして回復を遅らせてはいけないと２日間４公演に的を絞って稽古に励んだと思います。

    私にとってフルバージョンで夜のライブを観たのは初めて。愉快で大笑いの舞台を楽しんだのは言うまでもありません。それにしても怪我からの回復半ばの二人。アドレナリンが出ていたにしろ「痛み」はあったはずです。それでも滑稽なクラウニングの連続、歌やダンスを見せながら観客を笑いに巻き込むロネジジのエンターテイナーとしての実力には脱帽です。

    最後の談話で「天国と地獄を見ました」と言った二人。温かい支援を受けて危機を乗り切ったと言える年越しであってほしいと願っています。
https://roneandgigi.com/helpneeded2024/6350/?fbclid=IwAR1PXx5zKcTY30tCFrUZJbNLKe4QGl53DGEf-o2N6PGWnMg_P_SL7l2XSZ4

    RONE & Gigi's clown live was held on Dec. 27th and 28th in Tokyo. Since I had another stage which I wanted to support, organized by another friend in Saitama, I went to two theaters on the 27th.

    As I explained before, Rone & Gigi had serious accidents individually this fall and they couldn't predict their schedule, so they needed to start crowdfunding for support. Last September, before their accidents, all their stages were full of seats because Rone & Gigi were introduced in the popular newspaper and it got many people's attention and many people came to their show. They were in great condition at that time and decided to have extra performances in December. Then Rone had a serious accident in India, and Gigi had a fracture next. Since they both love to be clowns, they wanted to perform their show and to respond to the support for them. They concentrated on rehearsing for the show in December.

    It was the first time for me to watch the full version of the show in Tokyo, I enjoyed it 100%. However, the two clowns haven't recovered from their fractures completely yet, and it must have hurt. Rone and Gigi performed comical clowning one after another, sang songs and dances, getting laughter from the audience. I admired that they were really entertainers.

    There was a small time for them to talk after the show. Then they said " we saw heaven and hell this fall". I wish for them warm support and to be able to say that they overcame crises as they enter into the new year. https://roneandgigi.com/emergency2024/6545/

１２月２２日（金曜日）２０２３

    昨日、多賀大社にお参りに行ったら少しずつ新年を迎える準備が進んでいました。そこで、珍しい光景に出くわしました。拝殿手前の大きなしめ縄を神職の方二人が新しいものに取り替える作業です。時折陽は差すものの風は冷たく作業は大変そう。竹に括り付けた重いしめ縄を担ぎ上げ、脚立に乗って、名前が分かりませんが木を削って紐にしたものでしめ縄を拝殿の横木に縛りつけ、それが終わったら、大きな御幣を定位置に付けます。御幣のところまで結構時間がかかり、私は寒くて一旦家に帰って後でもう一度神社へ行った時には綺麗に新しいしめ縄がつけられていました。

    ところで、神社のしめ縄。ネット情報では「神の領域と現世を分け隔てる『結界』として不純なものが入るのを防ぐ役目を担うもの」とありました。いつも何気なくしめ縄の下を通って参拝していましたが、神聖な場所に踏み入れているのですね。貴重な神社の暮れの風物が見られたと感謝しています。

    When I visited Taga Taisha (shrine) yesterday、 I could see the preparations for welcoming the new year here and there. Then, I saw an interesting custom of the shrine. It was annual work of replacing Shimenawa (sacred rope of the Shinto) by the staff of the shrine. Although the sun shined sometimes, the wind was cold and it seemed the work was not easy. Two men carried the big Shimenawa which was tied to bamboo and put it on the beam of the entrance. Then they put four big Gohei (strips of white paper) into the Shimenawa. Up until putting the Gohei, it took so much time and I couldn't keep watching and I went home because of the cold weather. When I went to the shrine later, the new Shmenawa was beautifully attached.

    By the way, why is Shimenawa put there ? It is a barrier between God's realm and the present world which contains various impure things. Without knowing this, I had been standing in the area and praying to God up until then. I am grateful to see this precious annual custom of the shrine.

１２月１７日（日曜日）２０２３

    我が町内には神社脇に流れる車戸川沿に小さな地蔵堂があって、町内に住む人が１週間ずつ交代でお地蔵様のお世話や夜回りを受け持つことになっています。住民の高齢化が進み、また其々の事情もあることから「できる範囲で」という緩やかな当番です。

    さて今週は私のところに順番が回ってきましたが、諸々忙しく気になっていながらお世話に行けず最終日の本日ようやくカフェを開ける前にお地蔵様のところへ行くことができました。

    お仏飯を３体のお地蔵様の器に入れて、いつものように掃除用の濡れた布とビニール袋を持参して地蔵堂の中に入り、まずは床掃除を...と、中にある賽銭箱を動かしたとたん、見えたものはカメムシの集団。思わず口に出たのは「ああ、カメちゃん、こんなに！？」。少し動くものもいたけど大半はじっとくっつき合っていたので、急ぎカメムシ捕獲道具（ガムテープ）を家に取りに帰りました。戻ってきた時は少しバラけて床を這っていたり、賽銭箱本体に５、６匹はついていたりしましたが、彼らは静かに「その時」を待っていました。実はこんなに大量にカメ君を捕獲するのは初めてで悲鳴を上げたくなるくらいでしたが、いるのは私一人。お地蔵様の前でしたが、心を落ち着かせて次々にガムテープで捕獲していきました。その後は箒で履いて、台や床を綺麗にしていくのですが、カメ君はあちこちからまだまだ出てきました。何匹捕獲したかって？......かなりの数でした。

    一件落着してお地蔵様にお仏飯を上げてろうそくとお線香でお参りして、外回りを簡単に掃除して、取り敢えずほっとして帰宅。陽は差していましたが風が強く寒い朝でした。今夜は雪になるとの予報です。明日はどんな景色が見られることでしょう。
 

    There is a small hall dedicated to Jizo Bosatsu beside a small river along the shrine in our neighborhood. We have been taking turns taking care of Jizo and the small hall, but due to the reality that people are getting old year by year and everyone has their own important personal matters, the role is not strict these days. 

    Well, the role turned to me last week and it was in my mind everyday. I could finally go to the o-Jiso-sama on the last day before my cafe opened.

    Entering the hall and moving the offering box which was placed inside the hall because of cleaning underneath, I saw a bunch of shield bugs stuck on the board. I unintentionally said "Wow, that's too much!". Since most of them were just quietly staying there, I went home to take a masking tape (which is very useful to catch them!) in a hurry. When I came back to the hall, some of them had moved nearby but most of them were waiting for me to catch them. To tell the truth, I have never seen such a bunch of shield bugs and caught them while almost crying doing so, but nobody was there but me. Although I was in front of Jizo Buddha, I made myself calm down and executed each one by one. Are you asking how many I did? Oh, quite a lot.

    Well, I cleaned the floor and offered hot cooked rice in a bowl, a lighted candle and incense and prayed for peace. The sun came out occasionally but it was a cold morning with a chilly wind.

１２月１６日（土曜日）２０２３

    １２月９日（土）の彦根市みずほ文化センターでのロネ＆ジージのビッグイヤーズショーが満席、当日券も売り切れで終演しました。

    実は９月末〜１０月にかけてのインドツアーの最中、ロネがステージから落下という信じられない事故で大怪我を負い、痛々しい姿で日本に帰国し、半月後には京都と多賀でのライブが待っていました。事情を知るものはどうなることかとヒヤヒヤドキドキで舞台を見守りました。演出で少しの変更はありましたがステージをご覧になった方は知らされるまではそのことに全く気づかないほど、立派で素晴らしいものでした。

    その後次回の公演のために東京で稽古をしている最中、今度は相方のジージが左足を骨折するという事態が発生。しばらくは車椅子と松葉杖の生活。体を張って全力で仕事をするクラウンにとって、それがどれほど深刻な状況であるか容易に察しがつきます。

    １１月２３日の東近江市あかねホールでの公演はクオリティの低いものは見せられないと苦渋の決断で中止。続く１２月のみずほ文化センターでの公演はどうなるのかと誰もが息を呑む中、ロネジジの二人は滋賀にやってきました。ロネは右肋骨３本が折れた後まだ接合していないらしく、膝の捻挫も回復が遅れているとのこと。ジージは松葉杖ではありませんでしたが、ギプスと杖で私の前に現れました。「骨折コンビ」などと笑っていましたが、何としてもステージに立つとの決意はプロ魂そのもの。万全の対策をこうじて、９日のみずほ文化センターでの公演日を迎えました。

    朝からロネジジたちに密着し見てきた一部を紹介します。

    体調悪くして遅れて彦根入りしたマギーと合流後、ホールに９時到着。機材搬入と設置。その後ロネの指示による念入りな音響チェック。１１時から１２時１０分まで場当たりのリハ。この時、ジージは杖をついてのステージ。ロネの右肩をジージは触らないと約束。１３時半までにメイク、衣装完了。１４時マギーの元気なMCで開演。客席は超満員。ワクワクする音楽で幕が上がるとそこには大きな耳と赤い鼻のロネとジージ。数秒もしないうちに子供達の歓声と観客の笑い声が会場に響く。あれ？太っちょジージが足を引きずらないで歩いてる！ロネが右肩を動かし、手を上げてる！負担のかかるフェンスのエスカレーターの動きもしてる！軽妙なボールのジャグリング、クラブやカップも二人でやってる！ロネのマジックにみんな感心してる......　何度見ても二人の絶妙なタイミングと技に笑ってしまう。しかし舞台の二人はそれぞれ骨折しているのが現実です。お客は大喜びで笑いと拍手を送っている。この両方を見ている私は胸が熱くなり言葉にならない思いでした。

    さて、長くなりましたが、ロネとジージの相次ぐ怪我によるクラウンの危機が容赦なく押し寄せてきています。皆様のご支援がいただければと心から願っております。

https://roneandgigi.com/helpneeded2024/6350/

    The Big Ears Show by Clown RONE & Gigi was held at Mizuho Cultural Center in Hikone and was successfully over with fully occupied people.

    As a matter of fact, there was a big accident in the International Clown Festival in India in late September. RONE fell down from the 6.6 foot stage during their show. She had severe damage in her body such as bruises all over the body, multiple rib fractures, both knee sprains. She came back to Japan with a painful appearance but Rone & Gigi had several appointments for their shows in Kyoto and Shiga in 40 days. Only a few related people knew about the accident and worried about her very much, but Rone & Gigi finished their four amazing stage performances.

    Few days later when they were rehearsing in Tokyo for the next stage performance,  this time Gigi broke her left leg and she couldn't move without a wheelchair or cane. We knew how serious this situation was for them.

    They were expected to perform their show on Nov.23rd at Higashi Ohmi in Shiga, but they didn't want to perform with a lower level of quality than usual. After deep thinking, Rone & Gigi decided not to be on the stage. However, they also had a performance scheduled in Hikone in Dec. and they didn't cancel it. Rone and Gigi came to Shiga as scheduled. Rone's three rib bones hadn't joined yet and her two knee sprains hadn't healed yet, Gigi appeared with a cane on her left foot and holding stick. They laughed at me saying "we are fracture clowns' ', but I was very much impressed by their professionalism.

    As I attended with them on their performing day at Hikone, I will write about what they did on that day.

    Picking up assistant Maggie at the hotel because she came late to Hikone and stayed there because she was not feeling well, we arrived at the event hall at 9 am. After installation of the sound equipment and sound check by Rone and Maggie, They did the spot rehearsal on the stage for about an hour. At this time, Gigi used a stick when she walked on the stage and she agreed with Rone that she wouldn't touch Rone's right shoulder area. By 1:30 Rone & Gigi finished clown makeup and were wearing costumes. At 2pm, the Big Ears Show started with Maggie's cheerful MC and joyful music. The hall was completely full. Rone & Gigi appeared on the stage and within seconds kids sent cheers and people laughed. I was very surprised to see the two clowns on the stage because Gigi walked normally and Rone lifted her right shoulder and raised her hands! I know there are several scenes which required tough movement for the injured clowns but they were getting a big laugh and applause showing their clowning, juggling with several tools, and Rone's funny magic. Thinking of their real body condition, I was watching the big reaction from the audience. My heart was filled with emotion.

    Well, as I explained, "Fracture Rone & Gigi " love being clowns very much and are doing their best now. However, they are actually facing a financial crisis due to their injury. I would like to say as a friend of R & G, I would be happy if you could support them. Thank you so much.

https://roneandgigi.com/emergency2024/6545/

１２月７日（木曜日）２０２３　

    小３ろ組の子供たちに「わすれられられないおくりもの」（スーザン・バーレイ作絵）を読みました。体がなくなっても心は残ると信じて死をおそれない歳をとったアナグマは皆んなにとってかけがいのない存在でした。そのアナグマが死んでしまった後の皆の悲しみは言うまでもありません。しばらくして皆んなが集まるとそれぞれがアナグマから教えてもらったことを話すようになり、それが自分の力になっていることを知ります。

    アナグマといえば、２年ほど前に屋根裏に侵入した小動物を捕獲するために庭に設置した罠に捕まったのがアナグマでした。実は、屋根裏に入ったのはアナグマではなく彼は濡れ衣だった訳で役場の獣害課の人に罠ごと持っていってもらいましたが、かわいそうなことをしたと今思っています。また、その話を私から聞いて、動物好きのO君は自分で色づけしたアナグマのフィギュアをカフェに持ってきてくれました。

    私にとってアナグマの登場はこれで三度目。今回の絵本は小３の国語の教材にもなっているようで、子供達は一部を宿題として読んだと話してくれました。「死」は恐ろしいものでも悲しむものでもないという作者の穏やかなメッセージが子供達にどう届いたでしょうか。一部ではなく絵と一緒に全部読めたのはよかったです。

    I read "Badger's Parting Gifts" by Susan Varlel for the third graders at the morning storytelling class. Badger, who is very old but not afraid of death because he believes that even if his body disappears, his soul will remain, was loved by everyone. So, when he died, it went without saying that everybody was in deep grief. After a while spring came, and all the animals got together and talked to each other about the things which they learned from the badger. Then they knew that everything from the badger turned to their current power.

    I remember that some animal penetrated my attic a couple of years ago, and in order to catch it we set a cage in my backyard in which we put some food. Then badger was caught but actually it was not the animal which we tried to catch. Poor badger was taken away by the man who came from the town hall. I talked about it to Mr.O who loves insects and animals and has much knowledge about them. He brought a small figure of badger which he colored himself, and gifted it to me.

    This is the third time for me to encounter "badger". I heard from the teacher and children that the picture book ,"Badger's Parting Gifts" is partially used as teaching material and they let me know that they read the first part of the book on the assignment sheet. I wonder how the gentle message of Susan Verley that "death" is not something you should be afraid of or sad, reached the third graders. Anyhow, I am glad that I could read the whole story and show the pictures.

１１月２７日（月曜日）２０２３

    １１月は師走の前の月で、あれ？何と言ったっけ...と「霜月」という呼び名を忘れてしまっていました。日本語の語彙がどんどん暮らしから消えています。

    最近驚いたのは「ブラックフライデー」と言って大安売りを宣伝していたことです。これはメイフラワー号でアメリカに渡った清教徒たちが最初の収穫を神に感謝し１１月の第４木曜日を感謝祭として祝う年中行事があり、全米が大型連休でワクワクするのですが、感謝祭の翌日の金曜日に１年で一番大きなセールがあり、これを「Black Friday（ブラック・フライデー）」と呼び、早朝から大勢の人が買い物に殺到します。語源は諸説あるようですが、こんな縁もゆかりもない言葉が日本で使われ出したのです。

    彦根にはこの時期「ゑびす講」という大売り出しがあって、昔、母が年末の買い物をするのに電車で彦根のゑびす講に行くのですが、私たち兄妹も連れていってもらったのが幼い私には大興奮でした。

    少数派であることは承知の上で、論外の「ブラックフライデー」はさておき、「セール」よりも「大安売り」と言ってくれた方が断然、人情味があってカッコイイと思うのです。

    定休日の午後、久しぶりに多賀大社の境内を歩いてみました。今年の紅葉も見納めかもしれません。

    We have Japanese classic names of twelve months as well as modern names which are commonly used. Today I tried to recall the classic name of November but it didn't come to my head because I forgot it. It's Shimo-tsuki (lit. the month which frost falls). Many Japanese words have disappeared from our daily life even though they are not classic and new Katakana words which are used for foreign words have increased instead.

    This fall, I often saw "Bulakku Furaidei" (Black Friday) in commercial advertisement for big sale. It comes from Black Friday in the US which is after Thanksgiving. I am disappointed that Japanese people use this kind of word which has no relation to Japanese people and culture. Most Japanese people don't know what it is.

    In Japan we also have a big sale near the end of the year. When I was small, my mother used to go to Hikone to buy necessary things for the New Year and she took me and my brothers with her.  It was a pleasant experience which I looked forward to every year when I was young. The name of the sale was "Ebisu-koo".

    I know I am in the minority, but I definitely prefer to use "Oo yasuuri (big sale)" rather than "Sēru" or "Bulakku Furaidei" (Black Friday), because it gives a sense of human warmth and is cool.

    I took a walk to Taga Taisha in the afternoon because the cafe was closed. The maple trees turned red and they were so beautiful. Since it is the end of November, I thought it might be the last look this year.