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March 5, 2026

弥生は「木草いや生い茂る」月なのだそうな。確かに、これまでの枯野にうっすらと色彩が蘇り命が萌え出る。猫の額よりまだ狭い私の花壇に、俯いて咲く白いクリスマスローズは楚々として清らかな花。命名はキリスト生誕の頃の神話に由来するようだが、「追憶」「私を忘れないで」という花言葉をもつ可憐な風情で（関東地方では）早春の庭を彩る。花は海を越えて世界に拡がる。既に新たな世界戦争が始まっているような現在、花や樹木を尊ぶ人の心を蹂躙する暴挙に抗わずにはいられない。本日の更新は表紙の写真（東京都東村山市北山公園の「水ぬるむ池」）とこのページの写真（小さな花壇に咲くクリスマスローズ）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

“Yayoi” is an old name for March in Japan, which indicates the month of growing trees and plants. Truly, it’s the time for wild lives to revive in the deadly colored fields and mountains. Even in the tiny flowerbeds at home, white Christmas roses are blooming. They are looking down on earth humbly. They say the flower was named after a myth at the birth of Christ, but in this country (in Kanto District), they bloom in early spring. Flowers are spreading all over the world. At present, when it seems as if World War III has already begun, I can’t help but say NO! to those who overrun people and countries. It might sound oldish, but remember Love and Peace with flowers. Update today: The photo on the index page (a pond in Kitayama Park, Higaashimurayama City, Tokyo) and the one here on this page (Christmas roses in my flowerbed). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

February 28, 2026

短い二月が逃げるように行く。初夏を思わせる日があるかと思えばどんよりした日もあり、雨も降る。木場を流れる大横川の岸辺に河津桜が満開だった。川面にも桜色がにじみ、一足早い花の季節の到来を告げている。木場公園には大きな橋の欄干を模したオブジェが聳え、遥かに東京スカイツリーが見えた。（勝鬨橋から眺める東京タワーもいいが、この頃は東京スカイツリーに郷愁を覚えるようになっている。）こんな曇りの日にはとりわけ懐かしい。本日の更新は表紙の写真（木場公園の風景）とこのページの写真（大横川縁の河津桜並木）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

February is going as if running away from us. One day, it was almost like early summer, and on another day, it was dreary and rainy in February. I visited Kiba and found the Kawazu Sakura in full bloom along both sides of Ooyokogawa River. The surface of the river was tinted with the cherry blossom to herald the coming of the flower season. There is a huge object that looks like a pole of a giant bridge, beyond which the Tokyo Sky Tree is observed. Personally, I liked the view of Tokyo Tower from Kachidoki Bridge, but I recently found Tokyo Sky Tree with nostalgia, especially on such a cloudy day. Update today: the photo on the index page (A view at Kiba Park) and the photo on this page (Kawazu Sakura along Ooyokogawa River). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

February 21, 2026

細々と書評を書いている。原稿が印刷されて送られてくると緊張する。三本目の書評が『図書新聞』紙上に公開された。と言っても数ある記事のほんの一つで、しかもとても短い。原稿を書き終えるまでには担当する書籍を読み返しメモを取り推敲も重ねた。だが、著者が一冊の本を完成させるまでに費やした年月や努力のことを考えたら、評者の労苦など如何ほどのものだろうか。あらためて著者に敬意を表したい。本日の更新は、エッセイのページに杉村藍著　『語りとヴィジュアリティ　シャーロット・ブロンテの一人称小説を読む』 （春風社）2025年 の書評を掲載しました。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

I sometimes write book reviews. As I received the paper on which my review is published, I feel very embarrassed. The third writing of mine is on THE BOOK REVIEW PRESS, although it's just a very short one among numerous articles. Certainly, I tried hard to read and reread a book to finish the review, but when I consider the time and effort the author invested, what can a reviewer do? I pay my respect to the author. Today's update: a book review of The Narrative and Visuality, an interpretation of novels written in the first person by Charlotte Brontë, by Aya Sugimura. (Published from Shunpu-Sha in 2025) The review is only in Japanese.　Thank you for your visit.

February 20, 2026

三寒四温が続く。快晴の日もあればどんよりした空の日もある。諸手を挙げて春を謳歌するには気が早いような気もするが、そこここで春の息吹を感じる。ひとたび社会情勢に目を向ければ春を寿ぐどころではあるまい。ただ、難しい顔をして鬱々としているだけでは、何かに抵抗する意慾も生まれては来ない。逞しい梅の枝や愛らしいメジロの姿を観ていると胸の中からふんわりと暖かな気持ちが湧いてくる。庶民の良識は死なず。本日の更新は、表紙の写真（東村山市北山公園の紅梅）とこのページの写真（小石川後楽園で見かけた白梅で花の蜜を吸うメジロ）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

Coldy days and warm days alternate; cloudy days last for three days, followed by four sunny days.   Maybe it’s too early to cheer for the return of spring; however, I feel the breath of spring here and there. If we look at the dreary social and political situation today, we can hardly be happy.  But frowning expressions won’t bring about the protesting spirit or actions. Look at the rough boughs of a Japanese plum tree and the lovely Japanese white eyes, and you will find yourself filled with a warmth for creative imagination. People’s good sense of humor won’t die. Update today: a photo on the index page (a red Japanese plum tree in Kitayama Park, Higashimurayama City, Tokyo) and a photo here on this page (a Japanese white-eye sucking nectar from flowers of a Japanese plum tree observed in Koishikawa Kourakuen Gardens in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

February 12, 2026

春先は水辺に誘われるものらしい。先週に引き続き、築地へ行った帰りに少し足を延ばして築地大橋を渡り、清澄通りを南へ歩き、豊海埠頭の先端まで行って見た。途中までは隅田川を見やりながら進んだものの、いつの間にか目の前には東京港が拡がり、レインボーブリッジの全容が見えた。彼方にはお台場の建物群も見張らせる。海は凪いでいた。湾内の水の広がりを海と呼べるかどうか分からないけれど、視界を遮るもののない絶景だった。隅田川の勝鬨橋まで戻り、波を蹴立てる遊覧船を眺めてきた。うららかと言うには浅すぎる春だ。本日の更新は表紙の写真（豊海埠頭から見晴らすレインボーブリッジ）とこのページの写真（隅田川を下る遊覧船）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

I seem to be invited to approach the waterside in the early spring. Like I did last week, I took a walk in Tsukiji and went all the way to Toyoumi Pier on my way back. I crossed Tsukiji Ohashi Bridge and walked down Kiyosumi Avenue to the forefront of the pier. For a while, I was walking along the River Sumida, and then I lost it, and suddenly I found myself in front of Tokyo Bay with the Rainbow Bridge. I also had a glance at the buildings around the Odaiba Area. The sea was calm, although I was not sure whether I could call the water inside the bay “the sea”. Anyway, it was a marvelous view with no barriers. I returned to the Kachidoki Bridge of the River Sumida to see a pleasure boat running down the river. It was the spring, too early to be called “pleasant.” Update today: the photo on the index page (The Rainbow Bridge seen from Toyoumi Pier) and the photo on this page (a pleasure boat running down the River Sumida). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

February 8, 2026

半日雪が降っただけで、東京の西郊にあるこの街は変貌する。豪雪地帯の人たちから見たら積もったうちに入らない僅かな量だ。翌日にはまた太陽が顔を出し、雪は瞬く間に溶けていくだろう。ずっと雪の下で耐える人たちがいる一方でこの余りにもささやかな降雪はどうだろう？こんな日に衆議院選挙が行われ、自民党が圧勝する結果になった。いくつもの不可解な事象には明解な回答もないまま、数を恃む軍勢が幅を利かせることになったら、混迷が益々深まってゆくに違いない。どうやって正気を保って生き延びていけるか。国内のみならず世界情勢からも目を背けずに。ほんとうは「気楽にいこう」と言い交したいのだけれども。本日の更新は表紙の写真（雪化粧した雑木林の夕暮）とこのページの写真（雪が止んだ後の夕焼け空）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

Only a half-day of snowfall changed the appearance of the western suburbs of the Tokyo area. I believe people in snow countries won’t call it snowfall. The next day, it will be sunny, and the small amount of snow will melt away immediately. What a difference between the ordeal of the people under the heavy snow and the scarce snow in the megapolis of Tokyo! On such a day, there was an election for the lower house of Parliament. The result was the overwhelming victory of the Liberal Democratic Party. (Are they liberal, really?) They never answer the numerous questions about the unfairness they have done so far.  What will become of political justice if the majority of Parliament tries to force through its peculiar righteousness? How can we survive, keeping our sanity? Pay attention not only to the domestic politics but also to the wider world. Frankly, I would really like to say, “Take it easy!” Update today: the photo on the index page (A wooded area in the snowy dusk, Higashimurayama City) and the photo on this page (the sunset sky after the snow). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

February 5, 2026

暦の上では立春を過ぎ、心なしか日差しに温かみを感じる。築地市場は閉鎖され場外市場だけが残った。相変わらず海外からの旅行客を中心に週日の昼前とは言え、街は賑わっている。昨年夏以来の（通院のための）「築地詣で」は朝の鉄道人身事故の影響で困難を極め、通常なら一時間半で行けるところ、二時間半もかかった。元気がないと病院通いは出来ない。久々に隅田川を眺め、波除神社に参拝してきた。隅田川の川縁では市場に接していた桟橋を撤去する作業が進行中。市場跡地の造成はゆっくりと、しかし確実に動いている。巨大建設がなった折に、この旧態依然とした場外市場はどうなるだろう。詣でるたびに気が揉めてならない。本日の更新は表紙の写真（勝鬨橋欄干）とこのページの写真（築地場外市場）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

By the traditional calendar, spring has come; consequently, I feel the sunshine is milder than in January. Although the Tukiji fish and vegetable market has been closed, the outside market has remained highly active. Numerous inbound tourists are visiting it. Thanks to them, even in the late morning on weekdays, the marketplace is bustling. I came to Tukiji for the checkup at the hospital. Due to a railway accident, I had to take a complicated route to arrive at Tsukiji this morning, which took me an hour longer than usual. We definitely need to be in good health to go to hospitals, indeed! I watched the River Sumida and paid a visit to Namiyoke Shrine. At the riverside, the removal of the landing piers is on, and in the vacant lot (of the old market), new construction work is slowly but steadily proceeding. I wonder what will become of the old-fashioned marketplace. I’m worried every time I come to Tsukiji. Update today: the photo on the index page (the parapet of Kachidoki Bridge over the River Sumida) and the photo on this page (the bustling marketplace at Tsukiji). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

January 29, 2026

近所の川辺を歩いていたら、枯れ葉色の細長く垂れ下がる房を付けて風にそよいでいる木に出会った。雑木林で見かける木々とはちょっと違う。あとから画像検索をして「ハンノキ（榛の木）」と判明した。ネット上の樹木専門ページを渉猟してみたところハンノキの特徴が色々分かった。何と真冬に花をつける。垂れ下がっていたのは 雄花序と言うのだそうだ。（ということは雌花序もある。今度確かめに行こう。）実もなっていた。松ぼっくりのようなコロンとした球果といって、冬にも枝についてなかなか落ちないのだそうだ。さてそんな植物の用語（の英語）をChatGPTに尋ねてみたところ、たちどころに教えてくれた。有難いような呆れるような素早さで。辞書を丹念に引くよりはるかなスピードではある。今更ながら、AIの技術に依存すると失うものも多そうだと戦慄を覚える。この短信だけは手仕事を続けよう。本日の更新は表紙の写真（西東京市の東伏見神社）とこのページの写真（ハンノキ）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

While I was walking along a river in my neighborhood, I came across an unfamiliar tree. Long, brown fringes were swinging in the wind. I couldn’t tell its name on the spot. Later, I found its name to be “Alnus japonica” (after checking botanical websites). They taught me valuable knowledge about the tree: it has “flowers” in winter, and the fringes are called “male inflorescence”; that is to say, there should be “female inflorescence.” Let me go to the tree again and find one by myself! I also saw “cones.” According to the info, cones won’t fall out in winter. BTW, I also checked the English terms related to the tree, such as “male inflorescence”, “female inflorescence”, and “alder cone, this time via ChatGPT. It responded to my questions swiftly. I didn’t have to spend time checking dictionaries carefully.  How fast ChatGPT is! But I have to be careful not to be dependent on the AI technology unconsciously. At least I will write this note carefully and patiently by myself as long as I live. Update today: the photo on the cover page (The main gate of Higashifushimi Inari Shrine, Nishi-Tokyo City) and the photo on this page (Alnus japonica). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit. Thank you for your visit.

January 21, 2026

久しぶりに横浜へ行った。異なる電車路線が相互乗り入れをしているため、埼玉県「所沢」から神奈川県横浜市「元町・中華街」まで延々と、西武池袋線、東京メトロ副都心線、東急東横線を乗り換える必要もなく連れて行ってもらえる。9:27発11:16着なので2時間弱かかる。しかし、行きも帰りもその乗車時間の大半を車中睡眠にて過ごす私には一瞬のようにも感じられる。良い年をしてなんとはしたないと叱られそうだけれど、心地よい振動と暖かなシートには抗えない。本日の更新は表紙の写真（「元町・中華街」駅付近の夕刻の情景）とこのページの写真（東村山市空堀川の浅瀬にいたカラスとコサギ、白と黒の仲良しさん）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

I went to Yokohama to visit a friend. I haven't been there for two months. Thanks to the integration of three railways, we can cover the distance from Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture to Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, without interruption via the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, and the Tokyu Toyoko Line. If you take the train departing Tokorozawa at 9:27, you will arrive at Motomachi-China Town at 11:16. It takes you nearly 2 hours. However, I felt it was just a moment of the ride because I fell asleep right after the train started, before I arrived at my destination. I might be blamed for my impolite attitude on the train, but who could resist the subtle vibration and the warm seat of the train? Update today: the photo on the index page (the evening view of Motomachi-China Town in Yokohama) and the photo here on this page (a crow and a heron in Karabori River, Higashimurayama City). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit. Thank you for your visit.

January 16, 2026

もしやと思って公園に行って見たら、やはり、ロウバイが咲き始めていた。春の先駆けというよりは厳冬の麗人の趣。仄かな香りが冷気に漂う。ここから桜までは気が遠くなるほど長い。でもひとつひとつ、枯野を彩る花々が世界に精彩を添えていく。今年初めの花便り。本日の更新はエッセイのページに散策思索50「とりとめもなくなんとなく」です。この曖昧模糊とした題名はなんとしたことか。「徒然なるままに」というには余りにもヨタヨタしている。ご笑覧いただければ幸いです。表紙の写真（東村山市の空堀川の畔）とこのページの写真（ロウバイ―東村山中央公園にて）も更新しました。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

I visited a park to check the blooming of the winter rose (Chimonanthus praecox). Yes, it was starting to bloom! I should call it the beauty of mid-winter rather than the herald of spring. It smelled mildly in the icy cold air. I know it will take a long time until the cherry blossom season.  But one by one, flowers will add colors of life to the dried field. Here is the first photo of flowers in 2026! Update today: an essay entitled “Ambiguity,” only in Japanese. Sorry for the inconvenience. New photographs are on the cover page (Riverside) and here on this page (the wintersweet-Chimonanthus praecox). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit. Thank you for your visit.

January 11, 2026

どこへも行く当てのない時は、武蔵野の雑木林を歩く。大木にも銘木にも出会わないけれど、光を浴びる木々の枝や幹は美しい。カラカラの冬に水路は枯れ果て、小さな石橋だけが水の流れていたことを僅かに示している。海や山の雄大な景色に思いを馳せつつ、今暫し私の住んでいる土地の静けさを味わうことにしよう。少なくとも平和な情景が目の前に拡がる。本日の更新は表紙の写真（東京都久留米市の遊歩道）とこのページの写真（東京都小平霊園内の雑木林）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

As I have no particular destination, I am content with walking in the small woods in my neighborhood. If I do not meet with any big and famous woods, I appreciate the beauty of the branches and trunks of the forest bathing in the morning light. In winter, small streams have dried up, leaving a trace of water by the tiny stone bridge. I dream of grand views of the ocean and mountains, but I tell myself to enjoy the silence for now. At least in front of me, peacefulness prevails over the land where I live. Update today; A photo on the index page (a path in Kurume City, Tokyo) and a photo on this page (woods in the morning light in Kodaira Cemetery in Kodaira City, Tokyo). Previous photographs are on the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

January 8, 2026

未だ期日を記載するのに2026年と書き慣れない。時を刻む数字など、ヒトの便宜的な約束事に過ぎないと分かってはいても、改まると数字の方に意識や身の丈を合わせて行こうとするからぎこちない。私は神道の信者でもないのに神社のお社の前を通りかかると、自然に拝礼してしまうのもただの習慣だろうか。カトリックの国で教会堂の前で人々が足を止め、頭を下げて十字を切っていた姿を思い出す。お堂を守る一対の狐の首に巻かれた赤い前垂れもこざっぱりと新しかった。本日の更新は表紙の写真（東村山中央公園の暮色）とこのページの写真（無人の同市大岱稲荷神社）です。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。

I am not familiar with 2026 when I write the date. The number is just a rule that human beings decided for the sake of convenience. However, we tend to adjust ourselves when a year is renewed, so that we feel uncomfortable for a while. Although I don’t believe in Shintoism, I customarily stop to bow in front of the shrine. Is it just a matter of the custom? I recall seeing people in a Catholic country naturally stop in front of a church to bow and cross themselves. The crimson aprons of guardian foxes were fresh. Update today: the photo on the index page (Dusk at Higashimurayama Central Park) and the photo on this page (Peopleless Onta Shrine in Higashimurayama City). Previous photographs are in the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.

January 2, 2026

新年の始めには近郊へ足を延ばして散策するのが恒例だった。今年は未だ遠出を諌められているので、自宅付近をのんびり歩くにとどめた。なるべく視界の拡がるところを求めて川縁へ。空堀川は乾燥しきった冬場には殆ど水が無くて残念だけれど、空は広い。川幅は狭いものの水が流れている野火止用水縁で市天然記念物の欅を見上げた。葉をすっかり落とした枝が青空を背景に拡がっている。不自由なら不自由なりに、できるだけ心をひらいていいものを見つけよう。本日の更新は表紙の写真（空堀川から見る空模様）とこのページの写真（東村山市恩多町「万年橋」袂に聳える欅）です。昨年の「短信・更新」はThe Latest Notes 24に収納しました。前回までの掲載写真は写真カレンダーに。ご訪問ありがとうございます。本年もどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

Usually, I have been used to taking a long walk in the suburbs at the beginning of a new year. However, I am not perfectly well now, so I decided to walk around my neighborhood. As I am fond of the spacious view, I went to the riverside. In winter Karabori River rarely has running water, but the sky is beautiful over it. Nobidome Canal is a narrow stream, but the rivulet was running through it. I looked up at the branches that had lost all their leaves and were spreading themselves to the blue sky. When I am not free, I try to find something good in my limited circumstances. Update Today: the photo on the index page (the sky view seen from the riverside of Karabori River) and the photo on this page (an old zelkova tree beside Mannen-bashi Bridge). The Latest Notes of 2025 are listed with previous notes. Previous photographs are in the Photo Calendar. Thank you for your visit.