８月３０日（日曜日）２０２６　
　１月に左股関節の手術を受けて順調に回復しつつも、実は反対側の足、腰、肩が不調で日常生活は送れていますが、病院の整形外科で診てもらったほうがいいと、先日意を決して市立病院に向かうことにしました。昨年診てもらっていたので診察券は手元にあり、かなりの時間待つことを覚悟して、水筒とお菓子、本とノート、目薬もバッグにいれて出発！何しろ炎天下、病院まで自転車で片道５０分ほどかかります。

　１０時過ぎに病院到着。マスクを忘れたことに気がつき、自動販売機で購入して受付へ。診察券を見せると何と整形外科だけは医師の紹介状が必要とのこと。去年見てもらっていたことを話すも通らず。しかも前の診察から１年経過しているので、これもダメ。（正確には１０日すぎている）。「えーっ！多賀から自転車で来たんです。」と思わず口に出てしまいました。受付の女性は気の毒そうに「すみません、規則なんです」と。揉めても勝ち目がないので諦めて再び自転車でUターン。

　帰ってビショビショになった衣服を取り換え、しばらくゴロンと横になり、その後、気を取り直して栄養たっぷりのソーメンを作って食べました。ついていない日とはこのことです。

I had a surgery on my left hip joint in January and have been recovering well, but I was uncomfortable with the leg, lower back and shoulder on the opposite side. Although I was able to do my daily work, I decided to have an orthopedic specialist examine me at the hospital. Since I went to see the doctor at the same hospital last year and I have the patient registration card with me, I was expecting to wait to see a doctor at the hospital. I put a water bottle, some snacks, a book, notebook and eye drops in my backpack.
I left my house after 9 a.m. under the scorching sun. It takes about 50 minutes by bicycle.

After 10 a.m. I arrived at the hospital and I realized that I didn't bring a mask, so I bought it at the vending machine at the entrance.

Then I went to the front desk. After showing my registration card and saying that I would like to see an orthopedic doctor, I was told that a doctor's referral letter is required specifically for the orthopedics department. I said to her that I saw a doctor last year, but she said it has already been one year (ten days after one year). I blurted, "What? I came here all the way from Taga by bicycle!". She looked like she was sorry and said "I'm sorry, but it's the rule.". Realizing there was no chance of winning an argument, I gave up and made a U-turn to go home.

When I got home, I changed out of my soaked clothes and lay down to relax for a while. Then, I made some nutritious somen noodles, and ate them. It was an unlucky day for me.

８月２８日（金曜日）２０２６　
　第３回リベルタンゴ国際音楽コンクール１位(2009)、アメリカのIma Hogg コンクール１位（2005)、国際マリンバコンクール２位(2003)、ほか多数のコンクールで数々の受賞暦をもつマリンバ奏者の布谷史人（ぬのやふみと）氏。毎年、この時期ドイツから帰国して各地で演奏会や個人指導、またコンクールの審査員を務めるなど活動をしています。昨年１月にTV番組「ぐっと地球便」で紹介されてから日本でも一般の中で布谷さんを知る方が増えました。

　さて、そんな世界的に活躍する布谷さんが古民家の多賀あさひやで演奏会をして、かれこれ９年になります。ある音楽雑誌に「布谷史人が何故多賀あさひやなのか？」と書かれたことがあります。普段、立派なホールや音響設備の整った会場で演奏する布谷さんが田舎の古民家の前数列は座布団席の会場で演奏会をするのですから不思議に思われるのも無理はありません。主催者の私自身が布谷さんとのご縁に驚いているのですから。

　布谷さんの創り出す叙情的な音楽表現は世界的に高く評価され、彼の息遣いやマレットの動きなどを間近で見てその音楽に浸りたいという方が県外からも多数来られます。普段のコンサートにはない、途中の質問タイムも多賀コンサートだけで、お客様はもちろん演奏者自身も大変楽しみにしてくださっています。

　コンサートは１０/４(Sun)１３時と１７時。１３時は残りわずか。１７時はお席にまだまだ余裕がございます。お申し込みはFBか0749-48-0186（多賀あさひや）まで。

Marimbist Fumito Nunoya, who has won First Prize at the 3rd Libertango International Competition (2009), First prize at the Ima Hogg Young Artists Competition (2005), Second Prize at Percussive Arts Society International Marimba Competition (2003). and other numerous awards in a large number of competitions, will be coming to Taga Asahiya for his concert. He is usually living in Germany, but comes to Japan for his concerts, private lessons, competitions where he serves a judge. Since he was introduced at the Japanese TV program last January, he became more popular in Japan.

It has been nearly nine years since Mr. Nunoya, who performs on the global stage, began holding concerts at my place, Taga Asahiya.

A few years ago, there was an article in a music magazine asking why an internationally recognized player, Nunoya, had his concert at Taga Asahiya which is a simple Japanese traditional house. I totally agree with the writer of this article. Indeed I, the organizer myself, am amazed at my connection with Mr. Nunoya.

The music which was created by Nunoya is highly acclaimed worldwide. In order to listen to his marimba music and watch his breathing and the movement of the mallets closely, many people come to the concert not only from inside Shiga prefecture but also from outside Shiga. During the Taga concert only, there is a Q&A session which is unlike typical concerts. The performer himself, as well as the audience, are greatly looking forward to it.

Concert will be held on October 4th at 13:00 and 17:00. To sign up, please call 0749-48-0186 (Taga Asahiya). 

８月１７日（月曜日）２０２６　
　昨日の夕方、閉店後、裏で草取りをしていると、物置小屋の入り口でゴソゴソ音がするので、何かと思ってそっちを見ると、なんと戸の破れ目からヌーッと顔を出しているネコを見ました。相手も私も互いに訳が分からず３秒ぐらい目を合わせた後、私は思わず「あっ！」と声を出したら、相手は当然驚いて中へ引っ込みました。さあー大変。誰もいないと思っていた場所に知らないネコが入り込んでいたのです。しかも大きいのが。ネコ好きの人には申し訳ないけど、ペットを買ったことがない私には恐怖でしかありません。

　子供の頃、家族と家にいた時、台所でスーと小さな音がして何かと思って行ってみると、調理台の上に野良ネコが上がって晩御飯に用意したものに手をつけていたのです。見つけた祖母がコラっ！と言うと、ネコは慌てて外へ出て行きました。台所の戸は閉めてありましたが、ちょっとした隙間を開けて入ってきたのです。食べ物はネコがかき乱していました。盗人猛々しい失礼なネコの被害にそれからも何度か逢いました。　

　また。大きくなってからですが何の気無しに裏小屋の戸を開けると、ドドドドッともの凄い勢いで二階からネコが降りてきて私の脇を外へ駆け抜けて行きました。あの時の恐怖と言ったらありません。

　さて、私と目が合ったネコはふっくらして、何だ？という感じでこっちを見ていました。ネコは外へ出ようとしていたのですから、あの時、黙っていればそのまま破れ目から外へ降りたに違いありません。それが、逆戻りしてまた中に入ってしまったのですから、私はネコに出ていってもらわないと困るのです。そっと戸を開けると、白い動くものがヌウっと奥へ行きました。中へ入るなんて私にはとてもできません。夜になったらどこかへ帰るだろうと、そのまままた戸を閉めて、昨夜はネコ対策をアレコレ考えました。

　朝になって、一番にしたことは、お菓子の箱を適当なサイズに切って、それで破れ目を塞ぐこと。恐る恐る小屋の戸を開けたら、ネコは潜んでいない感じ。多分、夜中に破れ目から出て行ったものと思われます。急いで、応急処置をしてネコの侵入を防ぎました。私にとっては、ちょっとした事件でした。

When I was removing weeds at the backyard after closing cafe, I hard some noise from the storage house. I wondered what it was and looked in that direction. I saw a strange cat looking through a tear in the sliding door. Both the cat and I were looking at each other for a few seconds because both didn't know what was going on. Then I said "Oh no!". She (or he) was surprised at my voice and went back into the house. I was very much confused because it should be vacant but while I was out of the house for about a month, a strange cat entered and moved around! I apologize to cat lovers, but I am not familiar with cats so this situation was really scary for me.

I had several bad experiences with cats. When I was a child, I was with my family at home, then we noticed someone was in the kitchen. When I followed my grandmother into the kitchen, a stray cat was on the kitchen counter and messed up the food for the family dinner. Grandma said "Hey, go away!" to the cat, and the cat went outside. The kitchen door was closed but the cat opened it and entered.
The rude cat came into my house more times after that.

As for another experience, when I opened the sliding door of the storage house without any thinking, suddenly a strange cat was dashing down the stairs of the second floor and ran away, passing me on the side. I was truly terrified back then.

Well, the strange cat which I saw in the backyard had a big round face and looked at me like what was happening. She was intending to go out, so she must have gone away if I didn't say anything. But the opposite happened, and she went into the house again. I was in trouble if the strange cat kept staying there. I gently opened the door a little bit, then I saw white animal was moving slowly deeper inside. I couldn't bring myself to get inside. It is too scary for me to do. I closed the door again. I hoped it will go away during the night.

Next morning, the first thing I did was seal the tear with a white rectangular cutout. When I opened the door tentatively, I didn't feel that the cat was still inside. She left during the night. I was relieved to seal the entrance of the cat. It was quite an incident for me.

 

８月１３日（木曜日）２０２６　
　１３日は「盆の入り」。私の地域では朝早く（早い人は５時ごろから６時すぎになるとお墓は大賑わいといった感じ）先祖のお墓にお参りする習慣があります。私はアメリカから帰ったばかりでお供えの花も用意していないなど勝手な理由でお参りは後日ということに決めました。自宅の仏壇に手を合わせた後、墓参のために普段は空き家の実家に帰ってこられたご近所のT家のお仏壇にもご挨拶ができました。

　お昼前に義弟が跡を取ってくれている主人の実家に久しぶりに行ったら、玄関の引き戸の取手の上に小さな雨蛙がちょこんと乗って出迎えてくれました。あまりに可愛いので写真を撮ろうとモタモタしていたら、取手からスルスルと上の方に上がっていき、かろうじてシャッターを押すことができました。

　家に上がって仏壇のご先祖にご挨拶をし、義弟夫婦とあれこれおしゃべりをして帰ってきました。神社の前は観光客で賑わっていましたが、今日はそれぞれのご先祖に感謝しながら過ごせたことで落ち着いた一日になりました。

Aug. 13th is the start of Obon which is the Japanese tradition to honor our ancestors. In my area, people visit graves early in the morning (some people visit very early at around 5 a.m. and it is very crowded past 6 a.m.). However, I decided to do it after the day because I had just returned to Japan and didn't have a chance to prepare the offering flowers. I prayed for my ancestors at the Buddhist altar in my home instead. I also visited my friend's house which was usually vacant but on a special occasion such as Obon she came back to her parent's home. I prayed for them at their Buddhist altar in her home.

Before noon, I visited my husband's younger brother after a long time. He is taking care of his parent's house now. When I came to the entrance of his house, I saw a tiny tree frog sitting on the sliding door handle. I tried to take a picture of it, since it was so cute. While I was searching for my camera, it moved up to the door, but I was lucky to catch it.

After putting my hands together in front of the Buddhist altar in his house and enjoying talking to my husband's younger brother and his wife, I came home. When I passed by the Taga Taisha, I saw many tourists there. It was a quiet and pleasant day for me to thank both sets of parents and ancestors and my friend's one, too.

８月４日（火曜日）２０２６
　ボストン郊外で友人に会うため、２日間レンタカーをしました。
　前日にオンラインで予約を入れて、バスで近くまで行ってレンタカー屋へ着いたのが１２時前。小さめの車を予約しておいたのが、今回もやっぱり予定より大きい車。しかもクライスラーのJeep Dooge Ram。４輪駆動。もちろん今まで乗ったことはありません。車体は鮮やかな青で駐車場で見つけやすいのはいいのですが運転席が結構高くパネルの操作もわかりにくく不安に思いながらも、エンジンが掛けられ、エアコンの操作がわかれば、まあいいかと思ってゆるゆるとスタート。次第に慣れてハイウェイも使って何とか４０分後には目的地のモールの駐車場へ車を止めることができました。
　コーヒーショップで飲み物とケーキで３時間あまり昔の友達３人とおしゃべりの後、もと来た道を家へ。無事帰れたことに安堵しました。

I rent a car for two days to meet my friends who are living in the suburbs of Boston.

First I made a reservation online one day before, and went by bus to a nearby rental shop and arrived at around 12 noon. Although I reserved a compact car, they rented me a larger car than I expected. It was a Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 4WD. I hadn't driven it before. It was a beautiful blue color and I thought I could find it easily at the parking lot, but I felt uneasy because the driver's seat was quite high and the high tech panel was confusing for me. As long as I understood how to start the engine and operate the air conditioner, it would be good enough, so I slowly set off the car. Then I gradually got used to driving and even entering the highway, I could reach the mall's parking lot where there was a goal point and parked the car.

I got together with my two old friends and enjoyed talking for about three hours with coffee and cake. Then I headed home along the same way I came. I was relieved when I returned home safely.

 

７月３０日（木曜日）２０２６　
　日本が戦後のまだ貧しい時代に田舎で生まれて兄妹が５人いたこともあり、我が家には誰かの誕生日を祝うというおしゃれで華やかな習慣はなく、唯一母が「今日はあんたの誕生日やね」とそっと混ぜ寿司を作ってくれたことを覚えているぐらい。ですから、兄たちや親の誕生日を知ることも、お祝いをすることも我が家にはまったくありませんでした。

　それが、時代もすっかり変わり、家庭を持ち子供が生まれる頃には家族はもちろん友人の誕生日を互いに祝うのは当たり前になりました。

ボストンで久しぶりに家族の誕生会をしました。といっても、大したことはしません。私がまぜ寿司と揚げ物を作り、昨日の残りのビーフシチュー、主人がケーキとアイスクリームをネットで注文して、娘が仕事帰りに買ってきたボストン名物のクラムチャウダーが食卓に並ぶだけ。それでも、面白かったのはケーキとアイスクリームの組み合わせ。日本ではあまりないと思います。つまりアメリカでは定番のデザートだったことです。

Having been born in the countryside during the postwar era when Japan was still poor, and one of five siblings, there was no tradition of celebrating birthdays in my family. I only remember that my mother made mixed sushi rice saying "it's your birthday, isn't it.". Therefore we never knew the date of the birthdays of my family members, nor did we celebrate them.

However, times have changed completely and by the time I had a family and child of my own, it became more natural to celebrate the birthdays of family members and friends.

We had a family birthday party in Boston for the first time in a long while, but it wasn't anything special. I made mixed sushi rice and deep fried-food, my husband ordered cake and ice cream online, and my daughter bought clam chowder on her way home from work which is well known as Boston style. We just put them on the table. Even so, the combination of cake and ice cream was interesting, because you don't see it very often in Japan. It is a very popular combination in the US.

７月２８日（火曜日）２０２６
　家から車で１０分ほどのところにショッピングモールがあり、買いたいものがあったのでバスで出かけました。欲しいものがあったり、なくて無駄足になったところもありましたが、最後にTrader Joe'sというスーパーで食材を買ったら一気に持ち物が増えてバッグパックと手さげ袋がズシリと重くなりました。歩いて５分ぐらいのバス停に向かっていると、バスが前方を行くのが見え、走ればなんとか間に合う感じでしたが、荷物が重いのと今はまだ走ることができない私の足を考え、無理はやめようと取り敢えずは次のバスを待つことにしました。

　バス停にはベンチがなく、立ちっぱなしで待つのは厳しいので近くに買い物袋を置いて、私は木陰の芝生にヨイショッと腰を下ろしました。バックパックに入った買ったばかりのお菓子の袋を開けて、通り過ぎる人や車を見るともなくぼんやりしていると、２０分ぐらい過ぎた頃、声がしたので、何？とそちらを見ると、車が止まって窓を開けて誰かがこっちに話しています。周りに人がいなかったので、その人は私に話していたのです。はっきりとは聞き取れなかったけれど、車に乗せてあげると運転席の女性は話していました。勿論、手振りも加えて「大丈夫です。ありがとうございます！」と言ってお断りしましたが、わざわざ声をかけるなんて、今時優しい人がいるものだとその方の親切に感謝しました。

　バスを待つ人なんて他にもいるだろうに、よっぽど私のバス待ち姿が目立っていたのでしょうか。カラリとした気候でそれほど苦痛ではなかったけれど、結局４０分待ってバスはやってきました。

There is a shopping mall which takes 10 minutes from my house by car and I went there by bus to buy something I need. I visited several stores and I could get what I wanted but at another store I couldn't get anything. I went to Trader Joe's in the end and bought many groceries. Then, my backpack and shopping bag got very heavy. When I was walking toward the bus stop to return home, I saw the bus ahead of me heading to the bus stop, I could have caught it if I dashed, but I gave up running because my bag was too heavy and I still have problems with my legs. I decided to wait for the next bus.

There was no bench at the bus stop and I didn't want to stay standing while waiting for the bus, so I put my shopping bag beside the tree and sat on the grass in the shade. Then I opened the snack pack in the backpack which I had just bought and I was just looking at people or cars passing by me. In about 20 minutes, someone stopped the car and opened the window and said something toward me. Since nobody was around me, I noticed that she was talking to me. I couldn't hear clearly but she was offering the ride for me. Of course I declined her offer and thanked her with the gesture. After she left, I really appreciated her kindness.

I wonder why she stopped her car for me. Did I stand out while I was waiting for the bus? The weather was fine and I didn't feel unpleasant waiting for the bus, but after 40 minutes, the bus finally came.

     

７月２７日（月曜日）２０２６
　ボストンに来て、激しい夕立が一度ありましたが、あとは晴天続きです。気温は摂氏２３度から２５度ぐらい。暑い日もありますが
湿度が６０％ぐらいで低いため、室内にいる時は寒がりの私は長袖をもう一枚着て過ごしています。

　さて、気になっていた家の周りの生垣を数日かけて綺麗にしました。生垣の植物の名前は分かりませんが棘があり侵入者を防ぐには良いかも知れませんが、刈り込みをする時は注意が必要です。この生垣に近年Black Swallow Wortというツル科の多年草の雑草がはびこるようになり、ツルが生垣の枝にまとわりつき、元気な枝を締め付けて相手を枯らしてしまうので、新聞などでも捨てる時は別にして広がらないように注意喚起を行っています。この雑草のやっかいなところは絡まりながら緑の実をつけ、それが弾けて風にのると別のところで根をつけて本来の植物を次々にダメにしてしまうので、本当にいやらしく北米では深刻な侵略的外来種となっているようです。実が弾ける前に取り除いてしまわなければという脅迫観念にかられながら、毎朝2時間ほど少しずつきれいにしていきました。

　軍手を二重につけ、鎌やハサミを使ってトゲが刺さらないよう気をつけながら雑草の根を起こし、絡まったツルを外していきます。若い元気な枝からグルグル巻きのツルを外してやるとこちらも命を救った気持ちでほっとします。根気強く手作業でやるしかありませんが、生垣の足元がすっきりすると達成感も湧きます。後は、表面の飛び出た新芽をトリマーでガーッとやって終わりです。

We have had a heavy evening shower since I came to Boston, but it has been fine these days and the temperature is around 75°F, humidity is 60% to 70%. I even need a long sleeve cardigan inside the house. It's pretty comfortable compared to Japan which is very hot and humid during the summer.

Well, I had been working on the hedge for the past few days which is surrounding my house. I don't know the name of the hedge but it has thorns and we need to be careful not to get pricked by them when we trim the hedge. In addition, we have another troublesome problem about hedging in these years. A special weed named Black Swallow Wort has been propagating under the hedge. It's a perennial vine and the vines twine around the plant and make the hedge die. Experts advised us to separate this Black Swallow Wort when we throw it away. It has many 2~2.5 inch green fruits and when it opens brown seeds fly on the wind and take root elsewhere. Therefore it is called invading foreign species. Being consumed with an obsession which I need to hurry to eliminate the annoying weed, I was working to remove it for about two hours everyday.

Wearing double-work gloves for protection from the thorns, I tried to cut the weeds and pull off the roots with scissors and sickle. When I could remove the vein from the hedge, I felt good because I saved the life of the young hedge. I had to do this work all by hand patiently but after I cleaned up the hedge, I felt accomplished. Lastly I ran a trimmer over the new shoots sticking out from the surface, and all my work was done.

７月１９日（土曜日）２０２６
　ミュージカル「The Great Gatsuby」を観ました。実はこれと同じタイトルの別のミュージカルを２年ほどまえにハーバード大学内の劇場で観ましたが、今回はブロードウェイ版。比べてみるのも面白いと思い娘が切符を取ってくれました。

　グレート・ギャツビーはスコット・フィッツジェラルドが1925年に発表した小説で、アメリカ人なら知らない人はいないぐらい知られた小説のようです。昔、同名の映画が制作されて主人がこれを見ています。娘の高校の必読書で、授業で勉強したので内容についても詳しく覚えていました。ただ、「高校の授業で取り上げられる」というところがミソだと思いました。
娘曰く、グレートギャツビーは名文が多いとのこと。また何がどうなったかというのが直接、文で書かれることが少なく、会話の中でそれを推測って知ったり、語り手である隣人の「僕」の発話からその心情や性格を理解したりと、クラスで色々ディスカッションをして学んだとのこと。これを聞いて、英語母語者でない外人の私が、簡単にこの本の良さを理解するのは程遠いと思いました。

　私は日本語訳（村上春樹訳）の本を読み始めたのですが、会話文が多く、内容もそれほどドラマ性はなく、読解半ば近くで今回の観劇となりました。しかし実際のストーリーは劇的で、しかもミュージカルなので観客の熱気は相当なものでした。そして、本にある「名文」とやらもしっかり歌やセリフの中に入っていたそうですから、外人の私には太刀打ちできません。

　恐らく、皆の半分も入っていなかったと思いますが、見終わっての感想はそれでもいくつかありました。
先ず、前回観た同名のミュージカルと人物の捉え方が結構違っていることが私にもわかったこと。ブロードウェイ版だけあって大掛かりな舞台転換に目を見張りました。背景の水辺やプールなど水の表現に感心したこと。俳優たちの歌やダンスは素晴らしいのですが、遠くで観る観客にも届くように使うピンマイクのバランスがあまり心地よくなかったこと。今回、舞台下上手で手話通訳が３人いて、舞台上の人物の語りや歌の手話を見るのが、意味は分からなくても楽しかった。等々他にも色々。

　ボストンの歴史あるオペラハウスで２０００人？近い観客とオーケストラと俳優たち、そしてそのスタッフたちの熱気を感じ、劇場を後にしました。程よい解説と私の歩行に気を遣ってくれた娘にも感謝です。

I watched the musical "The Great Gatsby" yesterday. I saw a different production with a different interpretation at a theater in Harvard two years ago, but this time it was the Broadway version. My daughter bought the tickets, thinking we would be interested.

The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, and it is a very familiar novel to Americans. My husband saw the Hollywood movie with the same title when he was young. My daughter mentioned that it was required reading in her high school, and she remembered the book well because they had discussed it in class. I thought this was probably the main reason why it is so popular among American people. However, as a non-native speaker, it is quite difficult for me to fully understand this book.

Because I wanted to understand the story better, I started reading the Japanese translation (by Haruki Murakami) in Japan. However, it was still not easy to grasp because there are many lines of dialogue and it didn't seem like a dramatic story on the surface. My daughter explained that the author didn't write things directly, so you need to read between the lines to realize what is actually going on. I realized just how hard it is for a foreigner like me to get into the story.

Even so, I enjoyed the show very much. I would like to mention several things which I was impressed by. First, I noticed that the way some characters were portrayed differed from the production I saw previously. Every scene change was grand and amazing. They incorporated water elements, like the seashore and a pool, which looked beautiful and incredibly real. There were three sign language interpreters below the right side of the stage. Even though I couldn't understand sign language, I was really moved seeing them work. The only thing that made me a bit uncomfortable was the actors' lapel microphones. They were a little too loud for me.

The musical took place at the historic Opera House, which has a capacity of about 2,000 people. I could feel the energy and excitement shared by the actors, the orchestra, the audience, and the staff. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my daughter. She gave me wonderful explanations about the stage and was so thoughtful regarding my legs, which are still a bit painful to walk on.

     

７月１４日（火曜日）２０２６
　夕方、娘が仕事から帰ってくるなり「太陽が真っ赤よ！」と教えてくれました。
「どれどれ....」と野次馬で入れかわりに外に出てみると、西の空に確かに真っ赤な太陽。でも日本で見る夕焼けとは何か違います。まわりの空はぼんやりと濁った色をしています。どうして太陽だけが赤いのか家族間で話題となり、娘が「火事で赤いんじゃないの」と言いましたが、私には納得できません。娘がAIに聞いてみたところ、カナダのオンタリオ付近で起きた山火事から発生した大量の煙がボストン地区に流れ込んで、それが大気を汚染してあのような空となったとのこと。明日の大気質は更に悪くなるとも。

　今朝は午前中は庭の垣根の雑草を取って、水分補給に家に入ってからは、パソコンをいじったり、昼寝をしたりしてぐだぐだ過ごしました。外は確かに暑いですがそれほど汗をかくこともなく家の中はむしろ私には半袖では寒いぐらいです。

It was the evening and when my daughter came home from her work, first she said " the sun was really red!". As I was curious about it, I went out to see what it looked like. I have seen the sunset many times before, but the sun was different from other one. The sunsets which I saw were both the sun and the sky was red, but this time only the sun was red but the sky was cloudy. We have discussed why only the sun was red among my family. My daughter said wildfire might have been the cause, but I was still wondering the reason. She asked about it to AI, then it said that the wildfire smoke around Ontario in Canada came to the Boston area and it polluted the atmosphere and made the sun that color and get worse the next day.

This morning, I was removing the weeds around the hedge of the yard, although I couldn't finish the work, I got back to the house to get some water and in the afternoon, then I was on the computer or relaxing by taking a nap for several hours. It's hot outside but I don't sweat much because it's dry. I would feel rather cold inside the house if I were wearing a half-sleeved T-shirt.

７月１３日（月曜日）２０２６

　５ヶ月ぶりにボストンへ。前回は手術後間がなかったのでアメリカから帰った娘が同行してくれ、杖と娘を頼りに渡米しましたが今回は一人旅。早めに空港に着いてJALのさくらラウンジを初めて利用しました。中へ入るとカウンター向こうに人が並んでちょっとびっくり。上階は食事、下階は喫茶と軽食。夕方だったためかどちらも多くの人が利用していました。JALカードのランクによって無料で休憩と飲食ができるこの特典制度の利用は初めてです。興味津々で先ずはスパークリングワインとビーフカレーを少し、それに冷たいスープをとって席につきました。どれも美味しく、続いて中に餡がはいった抹茶菓子とカフェオレも楽しみました。

　前回は遠いと感じた搭乗口までの距離がそれほどでもなかったのは、それだけ自分に力がついてきたのでしょう。搭乗を待っていると窓から地上を行き交う整備士の姿が見えました。ヘルメットをかぶった女性整備士の方も数人見られ頼もしく思いました。

　機内では顔立ちが日本人でない客室乗務員が結構いて、最初の話しかけも英語だったので驚きましたが、乗客との対応や洗面所の清掃など昔ながらのJALの丁寧なサービスに感心しました。

　しばらくボストンで家族と暮らします。留守にするため、カフェに来てくださったり、お弁当やマリンバ公演の申込みで電話を下さるお客様にご迷惑をおかけしますが、どうかしばらくお待ちくださるようお願い申し上げます。

I left for Boston for the first time in 5 months. Last time, since it was a few days after my surgery, I was with my daughter who came from the US to assist me. I could come to Boston with a cane and my daughter's assistance, but this time I had to manage everything by myself. I arrived at Narita Airport a few hours before the departure time of my flight, so I decided to use the JAL Sakura Lounge for the first time. It's a benefit system for the members of JAL credit card at the airport where you can rest and eat freely. First, I was overwhelmed at the entrance of the lounge, because many staff were standing over the counter, then they let me in after checking my boarding pass. Since it was early in the evening, both the dining area (upper level) and snack & drink area were mostly full of people. I took a glass of sparkling wine, a small amount of beef curry and cold soup. They were all very good! I also took two small matcha sweets and a cafe latte for dessert. I enjoyed everything.

Last time, I felt the distance to the gate was so far and it was very hard for me to walk, but this time I didn't feel that way and I appreciated that I gained much physical strength now. While I was waiting for boarding at the gate, I saw many mechanics who were checking the plane or walking on the ground from the window and I saw a few women with helmets which made me feel great.

After boarding, I saw a couple of cabin crew members who were not Japanese. Although I was a bit surprised when they first talked to me in English, the way of taking care of the passengers and keeping the restroom clean and neat were so nice as I expected.

I will be spending a couple of weeks with my family in Boston. I feel sorry for the people who visit my cafe while I am out or call to make a reservation for lunch or buy tickets for the marimba concert. I thank for their patience and sincerely ask those people to wait until I return to Japan.

７月７日（火曜日）２０２６

　７月に入り、これから本格的な夏の始まりです。
さて、今回は夏を超えて秋のイベントのお知らせです。

私ども多賀あさひやでは今年もドイツから一時帰国の布谷史人さんを迎えてマリンバコンサートをいたします。
昨年、TV番組「グッと！地球便」で紹介されてから、布谷さんのマリンバを聴きたいという方が増えて多賀コンサートにも
数人お申し込みがありました。嬉しいかぎりです。

　布谷さんのマリンバを古民家で聴くという他にはない企画です。世界のマリンバ業界を牽引する布谷史人さんの丁寧に語られる音楽の世界を素晴らしいテクニックとともにどうぞご堪能ください。チケットのお申し込みはFB、taga.asahiya@gmail.comまたは0749-48-0186まで。

It's July and the real summer has begun.
Now, I would like to announce the event at my place which will be held this autumn.

We will invite a marimbist, Mr. Nunoya, who will return to Japan temporarily from Germany and have a marimba concert at Taga Asahiya this year too. Last January, Mr Nunoya was introduced on the TV program "Global Messenger" and I received a request for the tickets of his concert at my place from a viewer of that TV program.

It's a very valuable concert that presents the audience the opportunity to listen closer to his playing at the Japanese traditional house because usually Mr. Nunoya has his concert at the music hall in Japan. I hope you will enjoy Mr. Nunoya's marimba. He is a top marimba artist in the world and people praise the music which he creates as well as his wonderful skill. I am proud of having his concert at my place.

Please contact to get the ticket to taga.asahiya@gmail.com or 0749-48-0186.

６月２９（月曜日）２０２６

　朝から陽が差して洗濯日和。仕事も一段落ついて買い物に出る前に一息ついていると、ピンポーンと玄関でチャイムの音。出てみると、彦根のNさんがお連れのMさんとご一緒でした。手には赤い実のついた枝をお持ちで「はい、ヤマモモ」と手渡してくださいました。お二人はカフェが定休日であることをご存知なかったようでしたが、せっかくだからとカフェを開けて中に入っていただきました。

　ヤマモモは初めて見る枝で、小さな赤い実がたくさんついて何とも可愛らしく嬉しくなります。Nさんに勧められて赤い実を口に入れてみると甘酸っぱい味が口の中いっぱいに広がりました。早速、壺に入れて床の間に飾りました。地味な書の掛け軸の床の間にヤマモモの朱色が心を弾ませてくれます。

　ネットで調べると、ヤマモモはヤマモモ科の常緑高木で、赤い実に比べて花は茶色で目立つ色ではないようです。カウンターにお座りになったNさんとMさんのお二人はもっぱらヤマモモで作る果実酒の話で盛り上がっていました。

It was a beautiful day and when I was taking break after finishing my daily work, someone pressed the doorbell. It was Mr. N and Mrs.M from Hikone. Mr. N brought branches which I had never seen before. He told me it was "Yamamomo (Japanese Bayberry). Although they didn't know that it was a regular closing day of my cafe, I opened the entrance and let them in and served coffee for them.

There were two branches and each one had many red berries. They looked so cute. Mr. N said I should eat one, so I did. It was sweet and sour. I put the branches into a vase and placed it in the alcove of the guest room. The red berries are a beautiful accent to the modest calligraphy behind.

According to the net information, the flowers of the Yamamomo are brownish and don't stand out. Two people, Mr. N and Mrs.M were talking at the counter seats about how to make fruit wine from these berries.
It also seems to taste good.

６月９日（火曜日）２０２６
　雨にはならなかったものの、肌寒い不安定な今日のお天気でした。

　豊郷町のN様から、珍しいトケイソウと可愛らしい紫陽花をいただきました。トケイソウというのは３つに分かれた雄シベが時計の針に似ているところから名前がついたようですが、英語ではpassion flower (キリストの受難(passion)の花）というそうです。雄しべはキリストを貼りつけにした釘、糸のように広がる副花冠は茨の冠、１０数枚の花びらは弟子たち、ツルは鞭にたとえられているとのこと。花言葉は信仰（聖なる愛）。花は一日花で朝開花して日暮れとともにしぼんでしまうようです。

　細長い花瓶に挿して、高い台に乗せたら、ツルが垂れ下がり素敵に飾ることができました。茶道や華道の先生でもいらっしゃるN様は、お庭に咲くこうした花々を時々お持ちくださり、何も知らない私に色々教えてくださいます。

Although it wan't rainy day, it wa a bit cold and unstable day.

I received branches of passionflower and hydrangea from Ms. N who is living in Toyosato town. Passionflower's Japanese name is "Tokei-so (clock flower) and it is because three stamens look like clock hands,but it is flower of the Passion of Christ in English, and three stamens are likened to nails of the Cross, corona which looks like a crown of thorns, petals are apostle and vine is like a wip. The flower language is "faith". It is one day flower which opens in the morning and closes at sunset.

Since it has a long vine, I put it in a long vase on an elevated stand, then it looked very nice. Ms. N who is a master of both ikebana (flower arrangement) and Tea. She often kindly brings these flowers from her garden and I am so happy to learn about them.

６月６日（土曜日）２０２６
　朝のもんぜん市で土付らっきょうが出ていたので購入しました。カフェの合間に甘酢漬けの作業開始。

先ず、らっきょうの土を水で綺麗に落として、両端を切り取り、更に何回も水洗い。塩を揉み込んでしばらく放置。その間に保存容器を煮沸消毒し、分量の砂糖を水で溶かして冷ます。鷹の爪を輪切りにし、分量の酢も用意。この間、台所中らっきょうの匂いでいっぱいだったので、カフェのお客様の反応が心配で聞くと、全然気にならないとのことで一安心。塩揉みしたらっきょうを水洗いしてから熱湯の中へ数秒入れ、冷ました後に保存容器に入れ、鷹の爪と甘酢も入れて完成。

　らっきょうの甘酢漬けは定番のカレーライスのお供になる他に、私はコールスローを作る時にピクルスの代わりにらっきょうを刻んで入れます。らっきょうは腸内環境の改善や血液をサラサラにする効果があると言われています。子供の時は好んで食べませんでしたが、歳とともにこうした保存食を自分で作って食べられるのは嬉しく思います。

I found an unwashed Japanese pickled scallions at the local morning market, so I bought them for making homemade sweet and sour pickles.

 
Washing pickled scallions first, I cut both ends of each of them and washed them again and again. Rubbed them with salt and left for a while. I also disinfected the container in boiling water. Dissolved sugar with water and cooled it down. After washing pickled scallions again, put them into hot water for a second. Then put all of them into the container with hot pepper and vinegar. I need to wait a month at least to eat.

I like sweet and sour pickled scallions. People say they improve gut health and make blood thinner. I didn't like to eat them when I was a child but I like them now and I am glad to make homemade ones by myself.

６月５日（金曜日）２０２６
　私の曽祖父は澤田久蔵(1854-1899)といい、明治5年(1872)に学制が発布されて明治７年に多賀小学校ができてから、校長を約１１年間務めていました。当時は多賀のほかに、敏満寺や久徳にも小学校があり、その後統合されて今の多賀小学校になりました。（「多賀小学校百年のあゆみ」より）敏満寺小学校の初代校長は久蔵の兄の澤田醇一でした。醇一、久蔵共に彦根の寺子屋で学んだのちに師範学校を経て教職についたようです。家には久蔵氏が使っていたと思われる書物や書いた物が残っており、明治の人々の教養レベルの高さに驚きます。

　さて、私が多賀の実家に帰って色々整理している中に古い書ばかりの掛け軸があり、見ると最後に「一茶O︎OO︎」と書いてありました。えっ？と思ってネットで調べてみると、小林一茶作と言われる勧農詞であることが分かりました。農業の大切さや勤勉さを説く内容で、当時、道徳心を養う教材としても用いられたとのこと。久蔵氏はこれを学校のどこかに掛けて子供達に教えたと思われます。当時は小林一茶作と信じられていましたが、後に原作者は宮下正岑（まさみね）であることが判明しました。

　いずれにしても珍しいものなので、眠らせておくのは惜しいと思いましたが、掛け軸の下はボロボロで、書の部分もシミがついて、とても掛けられる状態ではありませんでした。修理にはお金もかかるし、結局そのままにしておいたのですが、昨年、野洲で京表具の仕事をしている辻芳弘さんが横田順さんの墨画展に来られたので、掛け軸を見せて、思い切って修理をお願いしました。そして先日それを仕上げて持ってきてくださいました。シミも綺麗に取れて見事な掛け軸として復活しました。

　ネットでは文字起こしはされていますが、現代語訳がないので、私には詳しい内容はわかりません。けれども、美しい文字の流れはいつまでも見ていたい程素晴らしいです。しばらく、我が家の床の間に掛けてありますので、興味のある方は是非見にいらしてください。

My great grandfather is Kyuuzoh Sawada (1854-1899) and he served as principal for 11 years in Taga Primary School since the Meiji government promulgated the school system in 1872. At first, there were three schools in neighboring areas and later they were integrated as Taga Primary School. Junichi Sawada was the first principal in Binmanji Primary School which was one of three and he was the elder brother of Kyuuzoh S., and they both had an education at Terakoya (temple school) and teacher's school after that. Kyuuzoh left several books and papers in my house. I could understand how he was a highly educated person by those books and writings. People in the Meiji era were putting so much effort into learning History, Chinese poetry, Math, etc. They were really amazing.

Well, when I returned my native home ten years ago and cleaned up things which were in the house, I found an old hanging scroll. I saw the name "Issa ....." which is very famous as a Japanese poet in the Edo period. Looking up on the internet, it is "Encouragement of Agriculture" by Kobayashi Issa. It seemed that educators used it as an educational material for developing a sense of morality at that time. People believed that it was Issa's work but actually it was proved later that a different person, Miyashita Masamine, worked for it.

In any case, I thought it was a very interesting and valuable scroll, but I just put it away for years because it was old and ruined the lower part. Last year, Mr. Tsuji, who is a mounting specialist, came to me so I decided to ask him to fix it. He finished the work and brought it to me a couple of days ago. The cloth frame was renewed and many spots disappeared. It appeared totally beautifully.

It was written in beautiful classical cursive Japanese, but unfortunately I can read only a few words.
Even though I understand partially, I am still happy to watch such a beautiful scroll.

５月２８日（木曜日）２０２６
　運転免許証更新のために高齢者講習を受けに彦根自動車学校へ行きました。実は免許証を持ってはいるものの、この１０年間日本で車を運転したことがありません。ボストンでは運転していますが、今年は手術後であったことと大雪のために車に乗ることはありませんでした。それで、ほぼ１年間、私はアメリカでも運転からは遠ざかっていました。

　アメリカでは年齢に関係なく事務的な手続きだけで更新は済みますが、日本では７０歳以上は高齢者講座、７５歳を超えると認知症テストを受けなければなりません。私はどちらも何とか無事に終わりましたが、今回は更に視力検査と運転実技にパスしなければなりません。日本で運転したことのない私にとってはハラハラもの。ブレーキとアクセルは右？左？エンジンスタートはブレーキを踏み込んでからだったっけ？など不安になり、急いで出かける前にネットでチェック。

　幸い、試験管が優しい方で、車の中で現在の運転頻度を聞かれた時に日本で運転していないと伝えると、珍しがって世間話をするなどリラックスした雰囲気で色々な指示を出してくださったのですが、最初は右折の方向指示は上手に出せたのですが、その後２度も間違って左のレバーを操作してワイパーが動き出し慌てました。（アメリカでは左側に方向指示レバーがついています。）右側走行に慣れているので右折の時に注意したのは勿論です。終わって試験管の方から「クセのないいい運転」と褒められたのは気分よかったですが、疲れがどっと出ました。

It is the time to renew my driver's license and I need to take a special lecture for drivers who are over 75 years old, so I went to Hikone Driving School. Actually I got a Japanese driver's license ten years ago, but I haven't driven a car in Japan since then because I don't have a space to park a car and I don't need it very much in my daily life. Although I usually drive a car in Boston, when I was there this February, I didn't drive because it was just after the surgery and I was afraid of going out in the snow.

The renewal system is different between the US and Japan. It is much simpler in the US, but we have to take a lecture for the people when we are over 70, and we need to take a Cognitive Function Test on top of that. I passed both of them, but I was very nervous about the practical driving test. I needed to remind myself of the position of the accelerator pedal and brake pedal and other things before the test.

Fortunately my examiner was generous and he asked me how often I am driving. I said that I hadn't driven at all in Japan although I drive in the US. Then, he was curious about me and talked in a relaxed atmosphere and continued to give several instructions. I was relieved of my anxiety but I used the left lever instead of the right lever which was a direction indicator when I turned right or left. In the US, they are opposite. I was panicked to see the wiper suddenly move at the corner of the road while I intended to put the direction signal. I was very careful to run on the left side which should be in Japan. My examiner said that my driving was very good when the test was over and I was glad but at the same time I was very exhausted.

５月２１日（木曜日）２０２６
　気になっていて果たしていなかった実家の墓地掃除とお参りを今日こそはと昨日の門前市で花を買って、夜のうちに父が裏に植えておいてくれた下草を合わせて何組かの御供え花を作っておきました。今朝はモタモタしていたら日は既に昇って結構な日差しになっていました。

　子供の頃は裏道を上がって赤坂山の墓地に行っていましたが、もうずいぶん前から皆さん別の道を車で上がるので、裏道は殆ど行く人がなくなりました。荒れた道は私も怖いので自動車道を自転車で上がっています。しばらくお墓に行けなかったのは私の股関節の痛みがあったからで、手術後ずいぶん回復してはいるものの不安でした。それでも自宅の裏庭の伸び放題の雑草を見ながらもう待てない、早く掃除に行かなければと本日決行した次第です。

　電動アシストのギアを１にして何とか上まで上り切りました。雑草は思ったほどではなく有り難かったですが、それでも持っていった「しまむら」の大きいビニール袋がいっぱいになるまで草取りをしました。供養の花と燈と線香で墓参ができほっとしています。周りは墓じまいをしているところが多く、我が実家もそんな話が出ています。寂しいことですが、私もいつまでお世話できるか自信がないので受け入れるしかないと思っています。

There was a thing which I had been wanting and hadn't done yet, that was going and cleaning my parents and ancestor's grave. But I could do it a few days ago. I bought flowers for an offering at the local market the previous day and prepared a divided bunch of flowers.
When I left home, the sun had already risen high up.

There are two ways to go up to the graveyard where it stays on top of a lower mountain called "Akasaka-yama". One is the way near my house and we used to use it with my family and many others when I was a child but many people do not use it nowadays because it is narrow and became run-down and they go up to the grave on another, wider, well-maintained way by their car. I also don't like to walk the narrow one alone now. However, I hadn't gone up to the grave for a long time because I had a problem with my hip joint and didn't have the confidence to go up the slope even after the surgery. Since I was very worried about the condition of the grave where weeds must be growing, I decided to go there and clean.

I could go up the hill by my battery-assisted bicycle and I was relieved because it was not that terrible with weeds. Cleaning the grave of my family for a couple of hours, I offered flowers and prayed. Many people are closing their family graves these days because younger generations are living in different places and they tend not to visit their graves anymore. It is also our family's problem.