１２月３０日（火曜日）２０２５　
　毎年、１２月３０日は絵馬通りのしめ縄張りの日で、今朝８時すぎに表に出ると近所の皆さんがしめ縄を括り付ける青竹を家の両側に建ててかけていました。

　青竹が配給される場所に行くと私の最年少６歳の友達のS君が向こうから竹を抱えて元気に持ってきてくれました。それを２本受け取って、持ち帰り立てかける作業からスタート。踏み台に乗って固定し、次は縄に御幣（ごへい）と呼ばれる神社の白い紙と藁（わら）を交互に挟み込んで、縄を軒下に張りました。何でもないこの作業も今年はやっとの思いでした。しめ縄張りを終えると一気に新年を迎える引き締まった気分になるのが不思議です。

　頼んでおいた鏡餅がお昼すぎに届き、床の間に飾り、三幅対の掛け軸と友人のHさんが活けてくれた若松で、こちらもお正月の準備が整いました。

Every year, December 30th is the day of decorating Shimenawa (sacred Shinto rope) along the street in my neighborhood. When I went outside after eight o'clock this morning, some people had already started working to place bamboo trees around which a rope will be tied.

When I went to the area to get bamboo trees, six year-old S was there and he brought two bamboos to me one by one. S is living in my neighborhood and he help me tie them to the eaves while I stood on a step. Then I inserted white Shinto paper called Gohei and straw into the rope. After that, I pulled the rope and tied it to the bamboo trees. It is not difficult work, but it was hard for me as I am having trouble with my hip joint. Anyhow, I finished it and felt very refreshed and ready to welcome the new year.

　　Local rice cake shop owner delivered two round rice-cake offerings to the deity. so I decorated specially for the alcove in the guest room. I already hung three beautiful scrolls and my friend, H, put fresh pine branches in a special way. It seems we are ready to welcome the new year.

１２月２５日（木曜日）２０２５

　手術入院前の検診で東京へ。念のためにとお世話になっている方から杖を貸していただき駅の構内を歩いていると同様に杖歩行の人が何人も目に入ってきます。電車に乗るとさっと席を譲ってくださった若い女性。初めての経験でした。

　さて、泊めていただいた友人の家にはクリスマスツリーが飾ってあり昔を思い出しました。ボストンにいた頃は生木をマーケットで吟味するところから始まり、それを車の上に括り付けて家に持ち帰り、杉の良い香りの中でクリスマスの飾りや小さな電気をつけて作業していると、それだけでクリスチャンではない私たちでもワクワクしてきたものです。一昨日は冬至で運がドンドン溜まるようにと友人のお宅ではうどんすきを頂き、柚子湯にまで入れるという幸運に恵まれました。

　検査が終わっての帰り道、エレベーターやエスカレーターのお陰で階段の上り下りが必要ないのに感謝、感謝。夕方の近江鉄道に乗ると、そこにも可愛らしいクリスマスの飾りがしてありました。

　今年もあと一週間足らず。色々ありましたが、あっという間の１年。この加速感に驚くばかりです。

I went to Tokyo for the medical examination before the operation for my left hip joint at the hospital. I brought a cane which my friend said was just for helping me walk, then I saw many people using a cane in the station like me. When I got on the train, a young woman stood up and let me sit instead. It was the first experience for me.

Well, there was a pretty Christmas tree at my friend's house where I stayed overnight. I recall the day when I was in Boston in the same season with my family. At the market, we selected the appropriate tree and put it on the roof of the car, tying up with rope to bring it home. Even though we are not Christian, we were excited to decorate the tree with some cute ornaments and little lights in the living room which had a nice smell of fresh wood from the tree. My friend served hot pot for dinner and Yuzu bath (Citron bath) which was a special bath for the day of winter solstice. I enjoyed them very much.

On the way back from the hospital after finishing several examinations, I could use the elevator and escalator at the station without using stairs. I really appreciate those. I saw cute Christmas decorations on the local train.

We have only a few days left before the end of the year. There were a lot of things in this year as well, but I feel it passed so quickly, and it's surprising.

１２月１１日（木曜日）２０２５

　今年は柿が豊作だったようでお庭に実った柿を色々な方から頂戴し存分に楽しませて頂きました。１２月に入って、今度は柑橘系の果物をお持ちくださるようになり何とも豊かな気持ちになります。

　一番大きなのは花梨（かりん）で、置いておくだけで良い香りが部屋中に広がります。喉や咳止めに効用ありとネットに書いてあるので、シロップ作りなどに挑戦してみようと思います。次は甘夏でしょうか。頂いたばかりでまだ食していませんがオレンジ色が鮮やかな果物でです。レモンは私が店で買ったもので、朝一番のレモン水やカフェには欠かせません。その次の緑の果物はスプリンクと袋にラベルが貼ってありました。調べると温州みかんと八朔を交配した品種だそうでみかんのような甘さと香りがすると書いてありました。初めての果物なので楽しみです。それから、お寺の方から柚子を頂戴しました。鍋にもお漬物にも使える嬉しい果物です。お寺のNさんからは椿の枝も頂いたので、早速玄関の上がり口に飾りました。

　開催中の浮世絵（新版画）展は残り１週間。皆様に熱心にご覧いただいています。版画とは思えない見事な色彩と浮世絵の技術にため息がでます。版画はすべて高宮の医師である藤関さん所蔵のもので、股関節を痛めている私を気遣って連日奥様のM様がお仕事の合間にカフェを手伝いに来て下さるのがありがたく嬉しいです。玄関脇と冷蔵庫上のアートフラワーはM様とご友人の作品で、会場を華やかに明るく演出してくれています。

　多くの方が新版画の実物を観るのは初めてだと思います。展示会は１７日まで（休15）。皆様、どうぞ気楽においでください。

This year was a good harvest of persimmon and I enjoyed them from many of my friends as a fall gift from their garden. Entering December, I received various kinds of citrus fruits instead and I am feeling rich with them.

The largest one is Karin (Chinese quince). The sweet smell spread in the room and I felt very good. According to the net information, it is good for stopping coughing and soothing the throat, so I would like to make the syrup from it. I am not sure if the next one is a sweet summer orange, but what a bright orange color they are! I bought the next lemons which I use every morning for my first drink as lemon water, and I need it for the cafe as well. I saw the next greenish one for the first time, and it was named "Sweet Spring" on the label. I learned that It is a crossbreeding of tangerine and Hassaku orange. The last one is Yuzu (Citrus Junos) which was from a lady of the temple near my town. I can use it for the hot pot and pickles. She also brought camellia from her garden, so I put it in a vase and placed it in the cafe.

Ukiyoe exhibition runs for one more week. Many people came to appreciate them. They are so beautiful and we can not believe that they are woodblock prints, not paintings. We are amazed by the color and technique. All exhibits are collected by Dr. Fujiseki in Takamiya and this is a very rare chance to appreciate them directly. I thank Mrs. Fujiseki for coming to give me a hand, as I am suffering from a hip joint ache. I also appreciate her and her friend's beautiful flower decorations which I placed on the refrigerator in the cafe and on the desk beside the entrance. They both made the exhibition brilliant.

It might be the first experience to appreciate Ukiyoe's works directly for many people. The exhibition continues until Dec.15th. We wish you to come to enjoy them.

  

１２月６日（土曜日）２０２５

　２日前の初雪で霊山が白く光る美しい朝でした。
　本日から多賀あさひやにて高宮の小児科医、藤関義樹さん所蔵の浮世絵（新版画）展を開催します。

浮世絵に魅せられた人は日本のみならず海外にも多く、藤関さんの所蔵は川瀬巴水、樋口五葉ほかたくさんの作家の素晴らしい作品があります。鮮やかな色彩の作品もあれば、月明かりが静かに水面を照らすしっとりした作品、またハッとするような女性の眼差しに釘付けになるような作品など、約２０点を展示いたしました。藤関さんが書かれた説明文も作品に添えました。

　古民家の佇まいが、作品とよく合って不思議な魅力に包まれています。藤関さんがこれだけの作品を外に出されるのは初めてのことです。貴重な機会をお見逃しなきよう、皆様にご案内いたします。（展示会は１７日まで。11:00~7:00 休12/8,11,1５）

It was a beautiful morning where the top of the Ryozen mountain was thinly covered with first white snow of this winter two days ago.

The Ukiyoe Exhibition collected by Dr. Fujiseki living in Takamiya has just begun at Taga Asahiya.

Not only Japanese people but also people from all over the world were fascinated by Ukiyoe. The  collection features works of wonderful artists including Kawase Nisui, Higuchi Goyoh and others. Some of the works are brilliant and colorful, while some are works of the night with the moon reflected on the water, as well as some works of the beautiful women who were looking elegantly at something. Twenty works are exhibited with some explanation by Dr. Fujiseki.

They are all well matched with our old Japanese house. It is a rare chance for the people to appreciate those art works because it is the first time Fujiseki exhibits his collection outside. We kindly invite you to this wonderful exhibition.

１２月１日（月曜日）２０２５

浮世絵に見る新版画（スティーブ・ジョッブスが愛した世界）

　浮世絵は江戸時代の庶民の生活や文化が描かれた絵画で、役者絵や美人画、又は風景画で多くは木版画。有名な浮世絵師としては歌麿、北斎、広重などが知られています。絵師、彫師、摺師によって完成される日本の誇れる芸術の一つです。

　今回の展示は、新版画と呼ばれるもので’明治以降に伝統的な木版画の技術を受け継ぎつつ近代的な感覚を取り入れて制作された作品を集めています。世界中の人からも愛され、ステーヴ・ジョッブスやダイアナ妃も作品を身近に置いていました。

　展示品はすべて高宮の小児科医・藤関義樹さん所蔵で、多くの中から今回のために選んでくださった作品ばかり。藤関さんの貴重なコレクションを鑑賞できる機会は滅多にありません。素晴らしい新版画の世界をゆっくり楽しんでください。
　　　　　　　　　12/6〜17 (休 8,11,15) at 多賀あさひや

Ukiyo-e is a Japanese traditional painting which described the life of common people and culture in Edo period. Many are portraits of Kabuki actors, beautiful women and famous scenery. Ukiyo-e were mostly made from woodblock prints, and Utamaro, Hokusai and Hiroshige are famous as famous ukiyo-e artists. It is one type of art that Japan is most proud of, and which is completed by a painter, carver and woodblock printer person.

This time, we exhibited shin-hanga (new prints) . The printing method was taken over from traditional Ukiyo-e and added a more modern scene after the Meiji era. Not only Japanese people but the people from all over the world loved shin-hanga. For example, Steve Jobs and Princess Diana collected some of them.

All exhibits were the collection of Dr. Yoshiki Fujiseki, Takamiya resident. He chose some for this exhibition from his collection, and it would be a very special occasion to appreciate his shin-hanga. We hope you will enjoy his beautiful shin-hanga collections.