Sunday 22/8/2004
二年ぶりに関東地方を抜け出し、三陸海岸へ行ってきた。仙台まで東北新幹線で僅か1時間半。青葉城だけ訪ねて、仙台以北へは在来線でゴトゴトと。松島に一泊し、二百数十の小島が浮かぶ湾内を遊覧。松島から仙石線で石巻、前谷地を経由し気仙沼線終点まではたっぷり三時間。線路際まで海岸線が迫る。台風を避けて寄港した漁船でいっぱいの気仙沼港。早朝の水揚げ、魚市場に並ぶ魚をデッキから見学。そして唐桑半島先端まで出かけ、ひたすら青い太平洋を見晴らした。広い空間へ出たいという願いがやっと叶う。新鮮な魚介類を賞味し、大船渡線で一ノ関へ。一ノ関から東京まで三時間。宮城県、岩手県に実る稲穂の海も見事だった。まさに命の洗濯。リアス式海岸という点で二年前に見たカナダはニューファンドランド島の光景に重なる。戻ってからも体の中に海が広がっている。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。夏が駆け足で遠ざかる。
Eventually, I went out of Kanto to make a short trip to Tohoku District with my family. It took us one hour and a half by Tohoku Shinkan-sen (the bullet train) from Tokyo to Sendai. From Sendai we headed northward by local trains. We stopped at Matushima, which is famous for its calm gulf with more than two hundred small islands. We enjoyed a cruise in the bay watching the sky, the sea, the islands and gulls. From Matushima we took local trains bound for Ishinomaki, Maeyachi, and Kesennuma. It took us more than three hours. We went along the seacost often interrupted by tunnels. Kesennuma Port was full of fishing boats which all dropped in for shelter from the approaching typhoon. I watched fishermen land and display their fish in the market early in the morning. Then we went to Karakuwa Peninsula. I was happy to be in the open space facing the Pacific Ocean. A dream of mine came true! After eating delicious seafood, we went to Ichinoseki by Funadomari Line. Then we took Shinkansen again to come back home. Running though Miyagi Prefecuture and Iwate Prefecture, I saw much of the sea of green rice field. I really felt my life being refreshed. The coastline of the district reminded me of the Newfoundland, Canada, which we visited two years ago. Both of them are known to have "ria coasts." I still feel the sea lapping in myself. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". Summer is running away quickly.
Wednesday 18/8/2004
再び台風接近。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。二ヶ所の訂正と共に。ご教示に深謝。これから短い旅へ。
A typhoon is coming again. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". With two corrections. Thank you. Eventually a short trip starts.
Tuesday 17/8/2004
ちょっと茂みの中にはいるとあっという間に蚊に刺される。無防備な格好をしている方が悪いのだけれど。花の名前も知らないが、虫の名前はもっと知らない。一つの花に同じ種類の虫がたかってるのは面白い。別のが来ると追い払うのだろうか。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。夏の虫の色鮮やかなこと。
Once I step into the growth of weeds, mosquitoes bite me. It's my fault to be wearing improper clothes. I know names of flowers very little but much less of insects. It's interesting to find the same kind of bugs are gathering on a certain plant. Do they dispel other kinds while they are busy working there? Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". How colorful summer bugs are!
Monday 16/8/2004
昨日は突然真夏日が途切れ雨模様に。日中の気温が30度を遙かに下回った。冷房無しで過ごせるのは何十日ぶりだったろう。今日からまた夏に逆戻りとは言うが、いよいよ秋に向かって天気も崩れ始めるのかも知れない。一週間後(8/23)はもう処暑とやら。何処にも秋風が立つのだろうか。こうなってくると一日一日がとても貴重に感じられる。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。一瞬の休息を。
Suddenly the tropical weather had a pause yesterday with refreshing rain. It was far below 30 degrees centigrade. We could spend a day without the air conditioner. Although they say summer is coming back again today, I guess it is getting to be the uneven weather from now on towards autumn. According to the traditional calendar, heat of summer will come to an end exactly one week from now (23 August). Each day is precious now. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". One moment of break for you.
Sunday 15/8/2004
終戦記念日。旧盆の中日。八月の日曜日。この一日を皆どのように過ごすのだろう。仕事から離れられない人も、家庭の中に深く生きる人も、旅の空の下に彷徨う人も、スポーツに魅入られた人も、何もすることが無く手持ちぶさたな人も、現実の戦禍に蹂躙される人も、夏の頂点でふと立ち止まり、何かを、誰かを思い出すのだろうか。蝉時雨に背中を押されるようにして。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。八月の後半へ。
The memorial day of the termination of World War II (for Japan); The middle of the Bon (the Festival of the Dead); a Sunday in August. How do people spend this day? Those who can hardly leave their work, who live deep in family life, who wander travelling in foregin countries, who are fascinated with athletics; who have nothing particular to do; and who are suffering from actual warfare; do they remember soamething or/and someone? Chorus of cicadas is loud.
Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". The latter half of August starts.
Saturday 14/8/2004
毎年の事ながら、首都圏の人口はこの時期に激減する。毎朝自転車を止める駐輪場も閑散として。がらんとした街を異郷のように眺めながら数日をボンヤリ過ごすことになる。心なし軽くなったようなトーキョー。オリンピックが始まる。アテネは緑の少ない埃っぽい街だとか。ほんとうかしら。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。衰えない暑さ。
At this time of the year population of the metropolis decreases drastically as people go back to their hometown for family reunion. The parking lot for bicycles is full of open space. We the Tokyoites spend a few days somewhat vacantly in the uncorwded city watching it as if we're strangers. Tokyo looks lighter than usual. The Olympic games are starting. Reportedly Athens is now a dusty city with small green areas. Really? Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". Heat insists.
Friday 13/8/2004
久しぶりにJR「みどりの窓口」に切符を買いに行ったら随分様子が変わっているので驚く。購入申込用紙に諸事項を記入するため、台に近付いたとたん「いらっしゃいませ」と涼やかな女性の声。「えっ」と顔を上げると制服姿の若い人が微笑んでいる。（フロア係が出来たらしい。ここは旅行会社か、と思うほど。）早速自作のタイムテーブルを示し、連絡がうまく行っているかどうか確認してもらう。新人らしく、しばらく大判の『時刻表』と睨めっこしてから「問題ありません」と。窓口に座る三人のうち二人がやはり若い女性だった。何か割引とかお得な切符はないかとあれこれ聞いてもイヤな顔一つせず、チェックしてくれる。（残念ながら特典ゼロだったがこれは仕方ない。）それに今は一般のクレジットカードで切符が買えるのですね。ヘマな事聞くと叱られるんじゃないかとビクビクしながら列に並んだ昔が嘘のよう。しかし、運賃・特急券とも高い。高すぎる。それでも漸く関東地方を脱出できそうだ。本日の更新は「翻訳読書ノート16 象徴の迷宮」です。出版社がメルマガ発行回数を増やすことにしたとかで、二週間に一度私の番が回ってくる。どこまで続けられるだろう。
I was surprised to find some big differences at the ticket bureau of JR "Midori-no-Madoguchi." (JR was once a national railway organization and has been devided into East Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company. It took a long time for them to become real private companies especially in terms of customer services.) As soon as I approached the desk to fill in the card to purchase tickets, a young female clerk asked me if I needed some help. I asked her if the connection I planned was feasible or not. Referring to a large and thick timetable, she kindly checked it and said "No, problem." Two of the three sales clerks at the counter were women; they were efficient and quick. I didn't have to be afraid if I might be sneered at my foolish questions or deeds any more. However, how expensive transportation charges are! I should say they are too expensive like most of the things in Japan. Anyway, I'm glad to be able to go out of Kanto Area even for a very short period of time. Today's update: a brief review of a book in translation "In the Maze of Symbols" on Da Vinchi Code. Sorry, it's only in Japanese. I am asked to write my reviews twice a month as the publisher decided to issue their mail-magazine every week. I wonder how long I'll be able to write. The frequesncy seems quite demanding to me.
Tuesday 10/8/2004
『列車時刻表』を矯めつ眇めつする時の動悸。旅行ガイドブックもカタログ雑誌も、もちろん地図もよいけれど、時刻表には木訥な現実感が漂う。乗れれば行けるし乗り損なえば（当たり前だが）どこにも行けない。縦に見て横に見て上り下りを対照して。旧盆の頃は混雑もピークだからと、いつも晩夏の飛び込み。目指す宿があるわけでなく、空いている宿を探す。どこへ行こうか迷いつつ。せいぜいが二泊三日。とにかく広い空間へ出たい。気に掛かる仕事の予定はどこかにひょいと引っかけておこう。汽車に乗ると思うだけでワクワク。実現するかどうかは二の次だ。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。そろそろエッセイにも戻りましょう。
I feel excited when I peruse a thick portable train timetable. Of couse I like to read tour guide books, catalogues of sightseeing spots and maps, a timetable has the honest reality. If you can catch the right train, you can go but if you miss one you can't get to nowhere (for sure). I follow the lines vertically and horizontally, and then check "inbound lines" and "outbound lines." The middle of August is the highest tourist season, so we avoid the period. Wherever we go, we make a trip after the peak at most for a few days. We just try to find vacancy somewhere. Anyway I would love to go out into the indefinitely huge space. I will forget about the job schedule for a while.Only the thought of taking the train excites me. It doesn't matter whetehr I can really make it or not. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". I hope I'll be able to start writing essays again.
Monday 9/8/2004
このところミステリー、スリラー、ホラー、サスペンス、おまけにギャグ系と雑多な読書が続く。パソコンの前を離れ、本を抱えている時間の方が圧倒的に長い。ガクジュツテキな本ではなくエンタテイメント。かなり中毒に近い。書く予定のペーパーとずっしり重い業務上の課題とを片眼で睨みながら、どうやらギリギリまで逃亡生活を続ける気だ。目が疲れてくると散歩に出かけ、夏の日暮れをテクテク歩く。途中で本屋に寄って、また買い込んでくる。懲りない連鎖。かくて夏は潰えてゆく。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。花に出会うささやかな喜び。
Recently I've been reading variety of mysteries, thrillers, horrors, suspense stories and comical books one after another. I spend time reading books much longer than sitting at athe monitor of my computer. The books I read are not at all academic but entertaining. I'm almost addicted with them. Conscious of the paper I'm planning to write and the tasks of my job, it seems I'm running away from the tasks until the last moment comes. I go out for a walk when my eyes get strained. I walk on and on before sunset. On my way I stop at a bookstore and buy more books to read. What a horrible cycle! Thus precious summer days are consumed. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". The humble joy of finding flowers.
Sunday 8/8/2004
立秋が聞いて呆れるこの熱暑。でも先ほど宵闇に紛れて外に出たら吹く風が心なし涼しい。嬉しいような寂しいような。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。一つ旅の計画を流して、仕切り直し。夏よまだ行くなと叫びたい。
In spite of the calendar saying it's already auatumn, tremendous hotness continues. However, I found the night wind is cool; I was glad and sad at the same time. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". A travel plan was canceled. I have to make another. Summer, don't go yet!
Wednesday 4/8/2004
車をもたない私はどこへ行くにも電車か自転車か徒歩。一体何のために三度も運転免許を取ったんだろう。（第一回目東京都世田谷区、第二回目合衆国カリフォルニア州、第三回目同バージニア州）高所恐怖症があるように高速恐怖症があるのかも知れない。未だに携帯電話の操作には慣れないし、機械音痴なのか、情けない。娘が数学の問題を解くのを脇で眺めていると感心してしまう。私は高校時代に挫折して以来遂に克服できず今日に至る。この数十年で出来るようになったことが何かあっただろうか。（退化したものは数限りない。）うー、世界の進歩から取り残されているような気がしてきた。足掻いても仕方ないけれど。相も変わらず本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。本日から8ページ目に入ります。ものの役に立たないことならいくらでも♪
I don't drive a car; I just ride on the train, ride on a bike, and walk wherever I go. What's the use of having gotten car licenses three times? (Firs in Setagaya, Tokyo; second in California, USA; third in Virginia, USA) If people suffer form "acrophobia" (fear for hights) there must be something like "high-spped-phobia." I'm not still used to using a cellphone as weel as young people. It's clear I am so poor at handling machines. I'mconquer my weekness in the subject. I seriously doubt if there is anything I succeeded in acquiring during these decades. (I know I've lost various skills which I once could do!) Ah, I feel I'm far behind the progress of the world. Well, let it be. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems", its 8th page. I do a lot of things which can be of no use to anybody.
Monday 2/8/2004
未だ採点に明け暮れているが、外はめっぽう景気のいい本格的な夏だ。いくら仕事があるからといってうちにばかりはいられない。麦わらは止して布製の帽子を買った。どうもアタマの形に合っていないらしい。自転車をこいでいると、風に煽られて何度も飛ばす。瞬間アタマがすーっとする。「そのまま飛んでけーっ」と言いたいが、飛ばすたびに自転車を降りて拾いに行く。どうも間が抜けている。この帽子を被ってどこまで行けるだろう。本日の更新は表紙とこのページの写真です。東京の西郊、東村山市北山公園にて。沼の端に僅かに見える赤茶色のものは「アカマクミドリムシ」というプランクトンとやら。「都会の公園では滅多に見られない貴重な生物なので大切にしなくてはならない」と看板に書いてありました。
I've been still checking reports of students. It's real summer outside. Although I have a lot to do by the deadline, I can hardly stay inside all the time. I bought a cap made of cloth, not of straw. It doesn't fit my head so well that I have it blown away often while riding on a bicycle. When it's taken away by the wind I feel fresh on the head and feel like saying, "Go away for ever!" But I have to stop the bike and run to pick it up. How stupid of me! How far can I go with this cap on? Today's update: photos of the top page and this page. Both were taken in Kitayama Park of Higashimurayama City in the western suburbs of Tokyo. If you notice something reddish brown at the hem of the pond above, it's a sort of "zooplankton." The board in the park was warning us to keep it untouched because this is a very rare and precious living being in a city like Tokyo.
Saturday 31/7/2004
熱暑と台風に見舞われた七月。中途で力尽きた企てもいくつか。今度こそと思っていたのに。甘受すべき運命というと大袈裟か。論破されて臍を噛んだことも。過ぎてしまえば皆遠い。夏空は余りに高く、夏雲はどこまでも白い。憧れなんて儚いものだ。だが遠くを見上げる眼差しを失ったら生きている甲斐はない。思い切り放り投げる麦わら帽子でもあるとよい。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。名前を特定できない宙ぶらりんの花に心の中で詫びながら。
Drastic heat and typhoons attaced July. I gave up some of the plans in spite of the first expectations. Is it too much to say "It's the fate"? Ah, I remember I was refuted and done. But what's gone is gone. The summer sky is so hgigh and clouds are so white. Adoration is illusory. However, what is this life for if we loose our ambitions and longings? I wish I had a straw hat to throw away with all my might. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". I'm apologyzing flowers whose names I cannot identify yet.
Tuesday 27/7/2004
「今書き終えました」と印刷機の熱が消え残るレポートを持参する学生。「ボクの、読んでくれましたか。どうでした？」と声をかけてくる学生。「英語の採点、済みましたか」と会うたびに聞く学生。パソコンの前でまだ唸っている学生。試験場を後に街へ颯爽と消えていく学生。それぞれの夏がなびく。再び会う日には秋風が立ち、皆少しずつ大人びているのだろう。今年の夏は空が高い。まるで去年の雨空を埋め合わせるかのように。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。随分前に掲載した花の名がようやく分かって修正したものも時々混じります。
"Here you are. I've just finished writing." says a student handing me a warm newly printed paper. Another student calls to me, "Hello, have you finished marking the English exam I took?" whenever he finds me. There are studnets still struggling in front of computers. Others are leaving campus delightfully. Summer holidays have begun. Next time we meet, each of them will have grown up to be adults a little more. The sky looks much higher this summer than the gloomy one of last year. Is it a compensation? Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". It includes the correction of flower names whcih I recently learned.
Sunday 25/7/2004
いろいろなところにガタが来て、修理修繕に忙しい。一週間ぶりに洗濯機が息を吹き返したものだから、敵討ちのように五回も回した。干しては取り込み、また干しては取り込む。この熱暑も役に立つ。盛夏だ。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。野には既に秋草の気配。
Machines and furniture need repairing. The washing machine revived after a week's rest. Thanks to the working machine, I washed five times today! I repeated washing and drying outside. The extraordinary heat of this year is useful indeed. We're in the hight of summer. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". In the field you can feel the quiet approach of autumn already in plants.
Friday 23/7/2004
私の住んでいるところは徒歩数分で私鉄の三つの駅に出られる。その内の一つから二駅目、大きなアイススケートリンクと都立植物園のある「東大和」。なんの変哲もない東京郊外の街がこの度読んだ小説の舞台になっている。そのあたりを中心に小平、田無、新青梅街道、小金井公園といったところが「事件」の起こる「現場」とあっては、情景が余りにもリアルに目に浮かぶので息苦しくなるほどだった。「東京西郊」がその没個性的真空地帯であるが故の設定かと、我が日常生活の場を改めて見回し「まさか」と首を振る。背筋も凍る真夏のミステリー。エンターテインメントとあしらえない迫力だった。かくて本日の更新は「翻訳読書ノート15 出口を求めて」。前回に引き続き、英訳された日本の小説です。今回は桐野夏生のOUTでお楽しみ(?)ください。
I'm living in a walking distance from three railway stations. From one of them we can go to Higashiyamato in a few minutes where there is a huge ice skate rink and botanical gardens. I'ts a town with no particular difference from any other similar ones in this area; however, Higashiyamato and its vicinities are the main locations of "accidents and crimes" of the novel I read recently. I was filled with terror to find Kodaira, Tanashi, Shi Oume Highway, Koganei Park are written as the important scenes. I know these places so well that I couldn't help visualizing them with exceptional vividness. It was almost suffocating. I wondered if the western suburbs of Tokyo was chosen for their ordinary appearances, as a sort of void area. It's a spine-chilling mystery for midsummer. There is nothing to be slightened as an entertainment. Today's update: a short review of OUT by Natsuo Kirino in its English version, "Looking for a Way OUT". Sorry only in Japanese!
Thursday 22/7/2004
あれだけ暑かったせい（おかげ？）で、少々の暑さには耐性が出来たらしい。30度を超えても大して辛くない。風など吹こうものなら、おや涼しいと感心している。東京は亜熱帯化し、一番多く分布する植物は棕櫚だなどとまことしやかに話す人がいる。ここはヴェトナムだと思うとよいとこれまた真顔で。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。高校生は既に夏休み。一人で長い散歩をしてきたと。蛙の子だ。
After that tremendous hotness (or thanks to it?) we seem to have accustomed to the tropical weather. If the temperature marks over 30 centigrade degree, it doesn't anny us much. When the wind blows, we feel the comfort of it gratefully. Tokyo belongs now to the subtropical zone of the globe (almost!) and I've head a man say hemp palms are growing most widely here seriously. He also said we could well believe we're living in Vietnam. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". High schools are already in summer holidays; my daughter said she had a long walk by herself today. (Not much different from her mother.)
Wednesday 21/7/2004
この一週間の暑さときたら記録ものだ。昨日築地の交差点を渡る時、あまりの熱気にゆらりと街が揺れた。日差しを日傘で遮っても地熱が立ち上ってくる。あとからニュースで聞いたら銀座で42度、汐留の海側で44度を測定したといっていた。勤めに行くといってもTシャツ一枚。背広にネクタイの同僚たちには恐れ入る。さしものボスも半袖開襟シャツだというのに！読み物に集中していて書く方に手の回らない時期だった。一冊の本を読み終えた時の虚脱感は長いトンネルを駆け抜けたような感覚。トンネルの中では幻視が続いていた。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。
そう言えば銀座の柳は熱風の中でもノンシャラン。
The heat which has been lasting since last week is remarkable. Yesterday when I was crossing the road in Tsukiji, the city curved somehow with the tremendous hot air. Even if I try to shut off the sunshine with my small parasol, the hot air is rising from the land. Later I saw by the TV news that the temperature marked 42 degree centigrade in Ginza and 44 in Shiodome. I am in just a T-shirt when I go to work and am astonished to see many of my colleagues are in tie and suit. Even the Dean is wearing a white shirt with half sleeves with no necktie! I was concentrated in reading and wrote almost nothing for a week; it was as if I ran through a tunnel seeing illusory images all around. I'm getting a relief now. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". I remember the willows along Ginza Avenue looked quite nonchalant in the heat.
Tuesday 13/7/2004
梅雨明けと同時に東京地方は既に盆の入り。門口で迎え火をたく。めらめら燃える黍殻を見ながら魂や情念の行方を思う。ヒトの精神などというものは、肉体が消えると同時に個別性を失いどこかに浸透するか宿るかするのだろうか。文化や風習の「伝承」「伝搬」を思えばただ消えるということはないような気もするが、やはり「個人」の意識は肉体と共に消滅するのだろう。人の記憶も当てにならない。忘れていくというのは健全なことなのかも知れない。「月光を手の中に留めることは出来ない」というフレーズを思い出す。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。アスファルトの照り返しで街は猛暑。いずれの方もご自愛のほど。
As soon as the rainy season finished, it is the beginning of Bon in Tokyo district. We made a small fire at the gate of our house; inviting the soul of the dead. Watching the fire, I thought of the way human soul and passion go. I wonder where "spirit" particular to human beings goes when their bodies are lost. Does it penetrate into or stay in someone else's body? As long as we think of "traditions" and "propagations" of cultural matters, I feel it won't be lost for nothing; however, I guess "the individual consciousness" is gone with the flesh. The memory of human beings cannot be trusted. Being forgettable might be healty.I remember a phrase of a song, "How do you hold the moon beam in your hands?" Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". It's extremely hot in city especially on asphalt-paved roads. Please take care of yourself, Friends!
Sunday 11/7/2004
ようやく梅雨明けとのこと。西から順に。明日あたり、関東へも広がるのではないだろうか。一週間以上続いた熱暑が今日の雨で少し冷めた。投票へ行く途中もパラパラと。本日の更新はこのページの写真をポプラに代えて真夏の水辺に。そよともしない正午近く。蝉の声が響く。表紙は東京都文京区駒込の六義園。こちらは同小石川植物園。都市の森も生きている。いよいよ夏だ。
Entually it seems the rainy season has come to an end. From west to east, the weather has been changing. After the severe heat which lasted for more than a week was cooled down a little by the shower today. On my way to voting, it rained slightly again. Today's update: I replaced the photo of this page from the one of populars to the waterside of a garden in summer. It was near the noon with no wind at all. Sicadas were aloud. The photo of the top page is of Rikugien, an old Japanese garden in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. This one is of Koishikawa Botanical Gardens. Forests in the metropolis are alive. Now we're living in summer really.
Wednesday 7/7/2004
先週、本郷通りにある行きつけの美容院に面白い機械が入っていた。前代未聞のネイルアートプリンティングマシン。試用期間中とのことで、無料サービスが受けられる。すなわち、分厚いカタログの中から好みのカラーと模様を選び出し、ベースカラーを塗ってもらったあとで、おもむろに指を一本ずつ機械に差し込むと、ゴムボールのようなアームが伸びてきて爪の上にカラフルな模様を印刷（？）してくれる。結果、普段マニキュアと無縁の私の爪が今時のオシャレな若い女性みたいになったのだった。暫し恍惚。しかし当然のことながら、毎日の水仕事で、アートはあっという間に無惨にはげてきた。はたと気付く。我が家には除光液というものがないのだった。今日の暑さでまた買いに出るのを怠った。はげかけたマニキュアほどみっともないものはないのに、トホホである。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。七夕の今日は小暑とのこと。
Last week, I went to my favorite beauty salon in Hongo Dori Avenue and found a novel machine: a nail art printing machine. During the trial weeks, you can get the free service. You slect colors and designs of the art from a voluminous cataloque. After your nails painated in base colors, you are asked to put your fingers put in the machine one by one. There comes down a softball-like arm slowly to push and print your nails. Look! My nails were like those of today's fashionable young women. I was fascinated with them for a while. However, as you can easily imagine, the art has been rapidly fading out as I wash dishes and do household chores everyday. Then suddenly I realized I haven't got a bottle of nail-polish remover. Today again, for it was too hot to go shopping during the daytime, I forgot to buy one. Nails with eeling manucure look so miserable. Oh, my! Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". 7 July is the day of Tanabata (Star Festival) and the beginning of the hottest season in Japan.
Tuesday 6/7/2004
帰宅途上、西武池袋線の特急レッドアロー号に乗り所沢まで一駅。いつもならピッタリ下車駅で目覚める。一年に一度か二度、乗り過ごすこともある。ふと気付くと景色が違う。深い緑、疎らな家並み。「あ、やっちゃった」と思う間もなく目の前に広大な飛行場が。自衛隊入間基地だ。我が家の上空を重く鈍い轟音を立てて時々通過していく「軍用機」はここに発着するのかとボンヤリ眺める。このまま飯能まで行こうかという気まぐれを振り払い、上り線ホームへ。特急超過料金はたったの60円だったが、半時間のロス。いや、
60円分短い旅をしたということにしよう。そのうち西武秩父まで行こうではないか。疲れているらしい。何か予定をカットしなくては。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。デスクワークも溜まっている。
On my way home, I took the Limited Express "The Red Arrow" from Ikebukuro Station to Tokorozawa, of Seibu-Ikebukuro Line. Usually without exception, I wake up exactly on the station I should get off, however, once in a while I fail to jump out of the train. Today I found myself going on in the landscape unfamiliar to me with deep green foliage and scarece guildings. Before I said to myself, "Oh, I did it!", there was a huge airport in front of me. It was Iruma Airport of Japan Self-Defence Forces. The aircrafts passing over my house occasionally with heavy roars might be arriving and leaving here. Just for a moment I thought of going on to Hanno by the train. Deniying the desire, I got off the train and went to the next platform to go back the same way. I was charged to pay \60 as the excess fare. It was 30-minute loss time. No, it was half a trip of half an hour! I should go all the way to Seibu Chichibu someday. It seems I'm tired. My schedule should be diminished. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems". I've got a lot of deskwork to be finished.
Monday 5/7/2004
湿度高く街に風が吹き渡る。花のことしか考えていないわけではなく、ただ花のことしか書く術のない今。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」文月の巻です。いつかまたきっと。
Wind of high humidity blows in town. It is not that I have nothing else in mind, but that flowers are the only matter I can write on now. Someday again for sure. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems 7".
Sunday 4/7/2004
流山キャンパスへの土曜出勤(TOEIC IPのアシスタント業務）で疲れ果て、日曜日は目覚めたのが正午。半日潰れてしまった。午後林の中を歩いたらミズヒキソウがつんつん出ている。あれは夏の草？秋草かと思っていたのでビックリ。遊歩道の花壇には向日葵が大輪の花を付けている。前期試験終了まで一月ある。ここからが上り坂。本日の更新は---実はなんにもありません。ごめんなさい。ただ何となく書いてみたかったので。
I was exhasted after the work in Chiba campus on Saturday (to assist TOEIC IP); consequently, I overslept and got up at noon today! Half a day was lost. In the afternoon, I walked in a small forest and found mizuhiki-sou here and there. I was surprised because I had thought they are the weeds of autumn, arn't they? In flowerbeds along a promenade, sunflowers were in full bloom. We still have a full month before the end of exams of the first semester. We're not going uphill. Today's upload is--nothing! Sorry, I wrote this note just I felt like writing something.
Thursday 1/7/2004
文月到来。流石に今日の日差しは真夏に近かった。昨日築地に行った時には陰鬱な雨でとても水辺に出てみようとは思わなかった。一日違っていたら、きっと東京湾に向かって歩き出していたことだろう。高校生たちが八丈島に行く計画を立てている。竹芝桟橋から船で10時間とのこと。夜間に出航して明け方島に着くらしい。飛行機だと30分だとか。どうせ行くなら船がいい。自分が高校生の時大島に日帰りしたのを思い出す。八丈島も大島もれっきとした東京都。もし彼らのグループに潜入できたらあっちで東京散歩の続きが出来るなどと夢想中。（でも親が付いてきたらアバンチュールも何もあったものじゃない。迷惑千万だろう。だけど私も行ってみたいな。） 夏は何と誘惑的な季節だろう。本日の更新は表紙です。夏色にして。
It's July. Today's sunshine was that of genunine summer. Yesterday when I went to Tsukiji, it was raining depressively so that I never thought of going to the waterside. If it had been in a weather like today, I must have started walking seaward. Highschool students are planning to go over to Hachijo Island in summer vacation. It takes them 10 hours by boat. They will leave Takeshiba Pier during night and will arrive the island at the dawn. It takes only 30 minutes by airplane. Sailing is better than flying if you go to an island! I remember my daytrip to Oshima (the largest of the seven Izu Islands) that I made when I was a high school student. Both of the islands belong to Tokyo. I'm wondering if there is any reasoning for going along with them. I'll be albe to enjoy Tokyo-walking even there if only I could go! However, they will surely be annoyed to have such a company as someone's mother! The idea of going to an island has seized me strongly anyway. Today's update: the cover page in summery blue.
Wednesday 30/6/2004
六月も終わる。時折雲間からのぞく空は紛れもない夏の輝き。なんとはない期待に心が騒ぐ。気付いてみればふとした思いつきで始めた「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」も6ページ目を終えようとしている。いかにも単純平板な日常詠ばかりで、毒にも薬にもならないことばの羅列。まさに自己満足（にもならない）！が、習慣とは恐るべきもの。どこを歩いていても草花に目がいく。首都圏に暮らしているとおよそ全てのものが「本物の自然」から切り離された「人工栽培」なので、「発見」なんていうことはあり得ないのだが、路地裏にも表通りにも都市に住む人々の切ないまでの植物への渇望が溢れているのに気付く。せめて一鉢の植木・庭木・生垣に遠いもの、失われたもの、遙かなものへの憧れと愛情を込めて命を育む。「一枚撮らせて下さいね」と心の中でお願いして、私はシャッターを押す。時には初対面の方が撮りやすいように植木鉢を台の上に載せて下さったり、花の名前を教えて下さったりすることもある。ちっぽけなデジカメで撮れるものなどたかが知れているが、それでも季節のめぐりに、自然の造形の妙に、私は感嘆する。もう一年の半分が終わってしまったとは、過ぎていく時の早さにただ呆れるばかり。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」今月の最後です。
June is coming to the end. Sometimes the sky shows among heavy clouds to demonstrate it's almost summer with its glittering brightness. I feel shomhow excited. I've noticed that Calendar in Flowers and Poems which I started without much intentions has already six pages. My words are just describing my daily life plainly wiath no twists. I can hardly satisfy even myslef with these lines; however, this simple habit of my life makes me watch flowers and trees wherever I go recently. Life in the metropolitan area is bluntly cut off from the "real nature." I've found that people in Tokyo are craving for the gift of nature all the more. Almost everything here is "grown" by people, not growing by itself. What I discover in Tokyo is people's love for what is far, lost, and irretrievable. They plant flowers and trees in such tiny space: in pots, gardens, and lanes. I take photos begging to let me do so. Sometimes a stranger place his/her planter on a table so that I can take photos well, aother time he/she tells me the names of flowers. Through the small digital camera, I watch the passage of time and admire the hands of nature. It's amazing half a year has already gone. Today's update: the last ones of Calendar in Flowers and Poems 6".
Monday 28/6/2004
殆ど休んだ気がしないまま週末が過ぎる。夏は夜が明けるのも早い。どこかで英気を養わなくては。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。鍵を付け替えた自転車でビュンビュン走っている。
Not letting me feel I have taken a rest, the weekend was gone. In summer night is short. I need to relax and get energy somewhere. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems." I'm riding on my bicycle enlivend with a new lock!
Sunday 27/6/2004
自転車の鍵をなくした。満員電車でもまれているうちにバッグがひっくり返り、ポケットの中から落ちたらしい。自転車置き場から、前輪だけを使って家まで押して帰る、というより半分担いで帰る。一気にはとても無理なので、電信柱から電信柱までを見当に休み休み。すれ違う人々の不審そうな目が痛い。（盗んだんじゃありませ〜ん。）力仕事は何とかこなしたが、ループ型の錠を本体から外すのは私の知恵では無理だった。余計な仕事を増やすことにかけては誰にも負けない。威張れない。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。各地の大雨に比して、今年の関東地方は降雨量が少ないようだ。梅雨空は続く。
I lost a key of my bicycle. It seems it dropped out of a pocket of my bag while I was jostled in the jampacked commuter train. From the bicycle parking space to home I pushied it using it's front wheel. (Perhaps I should say I held it back home.) It was so heavy that I had to take a break very often at electric poles. I was sensitive to the eyes of passers-by. (Believe me, I didn't steal it!) I accomplished the physical part of the job somehow, but I was not wise enough to work off the loop-shaped lock from the bicycle body. Alas! I always add extra works, which is nothing to be proud of. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems." Comparatively we don't have much rain in Kanto District for this season of a year.
Friday 25/6/2004
ずっと気になっていながら、何となく敬遠している物事がある。大小様々の事柄のうち、私の場合小説については特に色々ある。読みたいけれどまだまだとか、いつかはきっとでもそのうちとか。（なんだそんなことかと鼻白むでしょう。）ある時突然堰が切れ、集中的にそればかりということもままある。思えば若い頃はやけに禁欲的になっていた。もっと先にやるべきことがあるでしょうなんて。最近はそういう身構えを止して、ふっと読みたくなったら躊躇わなくなってきた。そういうわけで本日の更新は「翻訳読書ノート14 日本と世界の距離」。村上龍の『イン ザ・ミソスープ』英訳版についての短評です。メルマガ編集者がこんな触れ込みを付けてくれた。「Keikoさんの『翻訳読書ノート』は、“翻訳書の書評”ということで、これまでは英語（もしくはそれ以外の言語）から日本語に翻訳された本の紹介がメインでした。しかし、今回はちょっと趣向を変え、日本語から外国語に翻訳された作品はどんなもんなんだ、あるいは海外での評価は如何に、という視点で書いて頂きました。で、どうだったのか・・・。詳しくは↑をご覧下さい。」よろしければジャンプしてみて下さいな。
In spite of the strong desire to do something, I used to avoid them for some reasons saying to myself, "It's not high time for me to do yet" or "I should do something else first." The situation was same with reading novels. (You might sniff at my pretentiousness.) Once the barrier is broken, I indulge myself in reading books of my old interest as much as I like as a sort of back action. I was quite stoic when I was young. I told myself to go on a lane which I forced myself to follow. What was the principle to carry on that? Recently I'm much more relaxed and I read rather freely what I want without hesitation. That's why I read Ryu Murakami's In the Miso Soup in its English version and wrote a short review on it (only in Japanese, sorry!), which is today's update.
Thursday 24/6/2004
かくて、ギリギリ滑り込みセーフで締め切りに間に合った。かなり睡眠時間を削ってしまったので、今頃眠気に襲われている。本日の更新は久々に「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。よく見かける花の名が事典でも見つけられず、途方に暮れている。（白い花の写真をシャープに撮るのはとても難しいようだ。光の反射の関係か、下手なフォトグラファーだと、ただの固まりになってしまう。陶然と眺めていたタイザンボクの花が蕾以外全滅。花に追い払われたというところです。）
Eventually I was just in time for the deadline somehow. I had to stay up so late last night that I was sleepy all day long. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems." I cannot find some of the flower names which I see very often here and there. I'm at a loss with some reference books at hand. (BTW it seems to be very difficult to take photographs of white flowers clearly. Reflections of light may be the problem. White flowers come out just like dumplings when they are taken by a poor phtographer. Although I was fascinated with the gorgeous grand magnolia the other day, most of the photos except for the one of a bud were all failure. The fact is I was expelled by flowers!)
Wednesday 23/6/2004
昨日は「猛烈な湿気」が一転して「猛暑」に変わった。日傘の下でも陽光が肌に焼け付く。外の仕事と内の仕事の狭間を往来し、まだ難渋している。今日こそ曇天で高湿。壁を乗り越えるか抜け穴を掘るか。あと少し、もう少し。（まだまだ続く）
Yesterday, the tremendous humidity that I had expected turned to the extremely high temperature after all. Even under a parasol, the sunshine was burning on the skin. I was coming and going between my jobs outside and inside at the desk. I'm still struggling. It is cloudy and humid today. I need to go over the wall or dig a tunnel underneath. Go ahead! (Still to be continued.)
Tuesday 22/6/2004
台風一過。抜ける青空と猛烈な湿気。読んで読んで読んで、書いて、まだ終わらない。出勤前に一仕事と思ったけれど。（続く）
A typhoon has passed. The glorious blue sky with tremendous moisture and high temeprature follow. I've been reading, reading, reading and writing: yet, my work hasn't finished. It's already time to go out. (To be continued.)
Wednesday 16/6/2004
関東地方、今年の梅雨は時々カラリとした晴天に恵まれる。日本中そうなのだろうか。昨日も今日ももったいないような青空。こんな日は都心とは逆方向へ行く電車に乗りたい。先日来余り詰めてイベントの仕事に携わっていたので、暫し人との交渉事から離れていたい。久しぶりに図書館でゆっくりといろいろな本を手に取ってみる。何やらひどく難しそうなのを借り出してきてしまった。鞄が重い。本日の更新は「東京散歩」中、『西東京・ポプラの実験農場』です。表紙とこのページのトップを飾るポプラの木々の出所です。どこまでも平らな東京だが、思いがけないところにオアシスがある。近所に住みながら10年以上知らずに過ごしていたとは。木々も空も既に夏模様。
Kanto District in this rainy season is blessed with sunny days quite often. I wonder if it is the same with other places in Japan. It was clear yesterday and today as well: I wish I could get on a train bound for the opposit direction of the central part of Tokyo. As I was engaged with the special event for months, I really want to be away from the close human contact for a while. Eventually I've got a chance to spend time browsing in the library. In fact I checked out very complicated ones today. How heavy my bag is! Today's update: "Populars of the Farm in West Tokyo" in Tokyo Walking. Photos in the front page and the one above here in this page are both from the farm. In Tokyo of Kanto Plain, unexpected oasis-like spots are hidden. How could I keep living in its neighborhood without noticing it for more than a decade! Trees and the sky all make us feel summer is coming close.
Friday 11/6/2004
梅雨のただ中で日課に追われている。ルーティーンに加えて次々と飛び込む新たな課題。それでもたとえば一つ、新しい花の名を覚える喜び。騒然とした世間のニュースからほんの少し身を引いて。新聞は欠かさず読むが、滅多にテレビは見ない。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。多分大いにピントはずれているのだろう。
In the middle of the rainy season, I am living a busy daily life. In addition to the routines, new requirements are added one after another. Yet I never give up the joy of learning names of flowers. I'm away from squally news; I read a newspaper every day but I rarely watch TV. Today's update: Calendar in Flowers and Poems." I'm sure I'm quite out of focus.
Sunday 6/6/2004
講演は素晴らしかった。円熟し大成したプロフェッショナルの圧倒的な魅力を堪能する。企画・運営・アテンドとさまざまな仕事をし終えて、反省も多々ある。余韻をかみしめながら久々に花を見つめている。本日の更新は新しいページに移った「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。貴重な花が遠くの山から届いた。
The lecture was just wonderful. We fully appreciated the overwhelming attraction of a real professional artisan of cinema. Having done several jobs of being one of the planners, organizers, and an attendanat, I have a lot of things to think about. Basking in the afterflow of the special event, I've come back to flowers and plants: Today's update: a new page of Calendar in Flowers and Poems." I received the gift of rare flowers from a distant farm in mountains.
Saturday 5/6/2004
長くて短い準備期間を経て、いよいよ
講演会当日。果たして計画の通り進ものかどうか半信半疑で本番に臨む。裏方に徹することで少し見えてきたことがあるかも知れない。それにしても古希を目の前にますます輝き活躍する女性と出会えることは嬉しい。聴衆の殆どが女性となるのかも知れない。さてどんな話が聞けるだろう。本日の更新: ただこの数行のみにて御免を。
After a long (or brief?) period of preparation, the day of "A Special Lecture" has arrived. I wonder how it all goes. Having been in the back-stage all the time, I think I've watched various aspect of this kind of activity. It's a great pleasure to meet a woman who is brilliantly active in her late 60's. I suspect the majority of the audience will be women. Well, well, I am very much looking forward to listening to the talk. today's update: nothing particular except for these few lines. Sorry!
Tuesday 1/6/2004
あたふたと過ごしているうちにいつしか水無月。紫陽花が日々色濃くなり、花菖蒲の見頃が気になる。昨日はきっぱりと夏日で風が轟々吹いていた。途中下車して町はずれにある農場を一回りしてみた。こんな処にどうしてこんな空間がと驚愕。牛が牧草地でゆったりしている。ポプラの梢が鳴っている。それは全てのゴミ箱の口が閉じられ、警察犬がホームを巡回し、防弾チョッキに拳銃持った警察官が仁王立ちする駅舎をくぐり抜けてきたばかりの身には別世界だった。本日の更新は表紙とこのページの写真です。また、五月の「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」を完結させました。どんなに忙しい日常でも、心の中を涼風が吹き抜けてくれると有り難い。
It's already June! Hydrangeas are now blooming with multicolored petals. Irises will be in full bloom very soon. Yesterday, it was a real summer day and the gale was blowing. I went for a walk to a farm on my way home. It was located in a milaculous place. I was astonished to find the unbelievably huge space in such a place. Cows were grazing in the field leisurely, poplars were singing with their whole leaves. I was in a world completely different from the railway station I passed through, where all the trush boxes are sealed, police dogs are patroling platforms, the police are standing in bulletproof vests with firearms. Today's update: photos of the top page and this page; also some articles of Calendar in Flowers and Poems" to finalize the May page. Let cool wind blow through my heart.
Saturday 29/5/2004
コンピュータルームの片隅でフランシス・コッポラ作『地獄の黙示録』完全版のDVDを見た。三時間に及ぶ映画なので二度に分けて。舞台はヴェトナム戦争。泥沼の戦場で狂気と恐怖をめぐる追跡劇が続く。きわめて現代的なテーマだ。随所に「今の戦争」を想起させるところがある。折しも日本のジャーナリストがイラクで戦禍に散ったニュースが報じられ、熱帯雨林と砂漠の違いはあっても20世紀から21世紀に引き継がれた戦争の狂気と恐怖に違いがないことを感じる。来週末には同映画の日本語字幕翻訳者を迎えての講演会が開かれる。準備に奔走する日々が今しばし続く。本日の更新は「翻訳読書ノート13 語る人、聞く人」です。ことばに憑かれて。
I saw the redux edition of Apocalypse Now by Francis Coppola in DVD in a corner of the computer room. As it lasts for more than three hours, I conldn't help spending two days for it. It's a story of Vietnam War. A chase goes on in the muddy battle field with the obsession of insanity and horror. It's amazing ly contemporary. The movie reminds us of the war now in progress. Devastaingly we've been informed of the death of two Japanese journalists in Iraq. Regardless the difference between rain forests and desarts, we've never been away from the same insanity and terror after four decades. Next weekend, the translator of superinpose of the movie will come to the campus where I work and give a talk. I'll spend another week preparing for the special event. Today's update; a short book review of "Speakers and Listeners". Sorry it's only in Japanese. Haunted with words.
Monday 24/5/2004
再び梅雨空に逆戻り。東アジアの民であることをつくづく思う。韓国から、中国からの留学生が真剣な眼差しで学んでいる。机を並べる日本の若者に同じ真剣さがあるかと時々問いたくなる。屈託なく笑いあっているのを見るとまた少し心和む。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。休日が本当に体を休めるだけで過ぎていく。
Rainy days have come back. I strongly feel we're living in the East Asia. Students from China and Korea are studying seriously. I sometimes wonder if Japanese students can be as serious as they are. When I see them laughing friendly together, I feel happy again. Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." Holidays are just for taking a rest physically for me now.
Saturday 22/5/2004
台風一過の青空には猛烈な速度で低い薄い雲が流れていく。思わず足を止めて見とれてしまった。あんな色の空を見ると、心の中でなにかがはじける。どこか遠くへと。昨日までの鬱々とした気分も吹き飛ばされて。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。いろいろな可能性。
After the typhoon, thin clouds were swiftly moving in the blue sky. I stopped to look up at them for a while. Watching such clear deep blue sky, something sparks in my mind. Go, now. The dreary feeling I had until yesterday is blown away. Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." Possibilityis never die.
Thursday 20/5/2004
激しい雨が降る。既に雨期だろうか。検診の為の病院通いが続く。「CTで見えるのは固まりだけ。乳腺、胃、腸、婦人科は独自に定期チェックを」と言い渡された。当然ではある。『自己責任』というものなのでしょう。この命誰のもの、だ。自分のものであっても自分で好きなようには出来ないのが命というものらしい。ふん、雨よ降れ降れもっと降れ。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。憎まれ口を叩いていられるうちが華なのね。
It's raining hard. Is it already the rainy season? I'm still going to the big hospital for the regular check-ups. "CT can find only lumps of malignant cells. You should take periodical check-ups by yourself of breast, stomach, intestine, and genitals." said the doctor. Very reasonable. That's "self-resposibility." Whose life is it anyway? Mine, but life is what you cannot handle as you like. Oh, rain more and more! Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." Wry comments are possible only while you're alive.
Wednesday 19/5/2004
チューリップが散ったあと茎が残って立ち枯れていた。ようやく球根を掘り起こして土を洗い流し新聞紙に広げて干すところまで来た。乾いたら暗いところに収納しておけばよいのだろうか。秋にまた土に返すまで。あの「カタクリ」のようでいてカタクリではなかった花の根にも立派な球根。命の素が詰まっていると思うと不思議な気がする。しかし、秋は遙かに遠い。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。目先の課題にばかり振り回されるなと独り言を。
After flowerw were gone, stems of tulips were left behind. Eventually I've come round to dig out their bulbs and wash them to dry on old newspapers. I think I have to store them in a dark place until I return them to earth in autumn. The plant I supposed "a Japanese dog's tooth violet" (but it was not!) also has a gorgeous bulb. Watching bulbs, which contain the source of life, I'm filled with the sense of wonder. However, autumn seems far away. Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." I tell myself not to be bothered only by demands at hand.
Tuesday 18/5/2004
特別講演会の日取りが決まり、いよいよ準備が大詰めに。裏方、下働きはひたすらお膳立ての力仕事。加えて容赦なく日常業務。通勤電車では眠る間もなく活字を読み続けている。だから、なのか植物の清々しさに余計惹かれる。どこか深い森でじっとしていたい。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。「段取り」なんか放り出して！
The date of a special lecture was finally decided. The preparation is coming to the climax. I'm working hard on the backstage every day. Besides, a lot of daily requirements are waiting. While on the commuting trains, I keep reading. That's why, perhaps, I'm attracted to the freshness of plants all the more. I wish I could stay quiet in a deep forest. Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." Arrangements should be abandoned!
Monday 17/5/2004
三年ぶりに聴きに行った友人のコンサート。堂々と、朗々と、また繊細に歌う。たゆまぬ努力が偲ばれる。聴き手も年を経てリラックスし音楽に身を委ねることを覚えた。何よりどれより、アンコール曲の「五月のララバイ」は絶品だった。彼女自身から生まれた命の歌。あの一曲を聴く為だけにでも出かけてよかったと感じている。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。さて私自身は何をしてきたのか。
I went to the chanson concert of my friend. Three years hve passed since I went last time. She sang imposingly, sonorously, and delicately. I was greatly impressed with her consistent efforts. I was relaxed and enjoyed music a lot. More than anything else, I was moved by the last song she sang for encore: "Lullaby in May." It's her original number born from her whole life. I was satisfied to go to the concert for it. Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." I wonder what I've been doing all the while.
Saturday 15/5/2004
昨年の今頃はまだ体が言うことを聞かなかった。心は宙に舞っていた。一年なんてどうしてこうもあっけなく過ぎるのだろう。その時々は夢中だから？醒めても、世界はやっぱり美しい。疲れていてもそれなりに。騙し騙し、溜息をつきながらも日々の暮らしは続く。そこでもここでもどこでもいつでも。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。思案しながらどこまでも。
Last year my body was not so energetic yet; my heart was in the air. How quickly one year passes! Perhaps I'm very often infatuated. When I get awake, the world looks as beautiful as ever. Exhausted, but I manage to survive somehow. Lulling myself and sighing, I go on in the depth of my daily life. Life is there, here, and everywhere and anytime. Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." Wondering all the time.
Thursday 13/5/2004
『地誌から叙情へ--イギリス・ロマン主義の源流を探る』の中で亡友は詩人シャーロット・スミスが優れた自然観察者（naturalist）であることを丹念に論証し、ダイナミックなビーチー岬の風景の中に如何に悠久の時の流れが表現されるかを読み解く。たどることばから静かな情熱を秘めた友人の面差しが蘇る。観察と感傷は全く別物だ。自然の風物に浸透していくような精神とはどれほど隔絶していることかと思う。叶わぬ願い--彼女と再び語り合えたら! 本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」です。今は自分なりの表現を模索しよう。
In From Denham to English Romanticism: How Arose the Lyric from Loco-descriptive Poetry, my late friend Akiko proves that a poet Charlotte Smith was an excellent naturalist and discuss how she expresses the eternal time passage in her observation of the grand landscape at Beach Head. When I follow her description, I recall the cool and passionate visage of my friend. Spirit that enables observation doesn't come from sentiment. How distant it is from the mentality to merge into nature without clearcut borders. How I wish to talk with her again--a wish impossible. Today's update: an article in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." For the moment I do have to write in my way.
Wednesday 12/5/2004
一気に夏日となった。これから気温も湿度も乱高下するのだろう。春の長閑さは遠く、全てに激しい季節となる。特別企画も大詰め、いよいよのるかそるかの土壇場。（ちょっと大袈裟！自分に気合い。）久しぶりに大型書店をのぞくと目眩く新刊書の山。あれも読みたいこれも買いたい。だが帰宅したら凛然と亡友の絶筆が待っていた。先ずは彼女の遺作を耽読しよう。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」に三首追加しました。よく見る花の名が分からない。
Suddenly it was a summer day. The temperature and humidity will change drastically every day from now on. Peaceful spring days have gone away; a severe season is coming. The special project I've been engaged with have come to the final stage. (Go for it! I'm cheering up myself.) I went to a big book store to find the flood of newly published books. They all allure me. When I came home, I found a book which was partly written by my late friend. Let me read her last work first of all. Today's update: three new ones in Calendar in Flowers and Poems." How ignorant I am of names of flowers which I often see everywhere!
Sunday 9/5/2004
進行中の戦争の残酷さが日々暴かれていく。虐待による人間性の蹂躙は過去の歴史にのみ書かれたものではなかった。女性を加害者から除外することも出来ない。人が人をという時、そこにもジェンダーの壁はないという大きな皮肉。時の強者が時の弱者をというだけ。その「強者」もまた、枠組みの中の虐げられた存在であることが想像できる。数日の単位で様々なことが展開していく。本日の更新は「はなのこよみうたのこよみ」5ページ目を開いたことです。万緑の中、花々が競い合う。
The cruelty of the ongoing war is being revealed every day. Infringe of humanity by abusive treatment is not confined to the past history. Women cannot be excluded from being assailants. When humanity abuses humanity, there is no gender barrier. What an irony! It's only that the strong abuse the weak. We can easily imagine that even "the strong" are often "the persecuted" in certain social frameworks. Various things are developing in a few days. Today's update: the fifth page of Calendar in Flowers and Poems." In deep green leaves colorful flowers are appealing for attention.
Tuesday 4/5/2004
一昨日、前から行ってみたいと思っていた「東京都薬用植物園」へ出かけた。二駅先なので、とても近い。薫風の中、緑の中をそぞろ歩く。それにしても植物園は有り難い。木々に名前が付いているというのは！メモを取る手間を省いて立て札や名札もついでに撮影し、あとから特定することに。どこまでもナマケモノだ。そのあと野火止用水から玉川上水を上流に向かって少し歩いた。毎年この時期にはどうしても玉川上水縁が歩きたくなる。あちこち転居した果てに、ようやく居所を定めた家族の記憶をたどりながら。上水縁に住んだのは私が高校二年の頃からだ。娘がその年齢に限りなく近づいてきた。彼女の記憶にも玉川上水は刷り込まれるだろうか。本日の更新は『東京散歩』中「観察と鑑賞の庭--東京都薬用植物園」です。名無しの植物名をご教示頂ければ幸いです。深謝。
The day before yesterday I visited Tokyo Metropolitan Medicine Botanical Gardens[sic]. It's located quite close to where I live, only two stations' ride. I strolled leisurely in the wind of May. How wonderful such botanical gardens are! All the trees and flowers have their names written on plates which are hung around them or standing beside them. I took photos not only of plants but also of their name plates so that I could identify them later. What a lazy person am I! After the gardens, I took a walk along Tamagawa Josui Waterway as usual. Every year in this season I cannot help walking there. I remember while walking my family which finally settled down after moving from one place to another when I was with them. It was when I was seventeen we moved to a town beside Tamagawa Josui Waterway. My daughter is now very close to my age of the day. I wonder if the stream will remain in her memory for long. Today's update: "Watching and Enjoying Plants in Tokyo Metropolitan Medicine Botanical Gardens" of Tokyo Walking. Thank you in advance for letting me know the names of the plants I couldn't identify.
Monday 3/5/2004
休日の過ぎゆく早さよ。休養から喧噪の日々の準備へとシフトして行かなくてはならないのに、もう少しもう少しと怠け心が勝る。連休に入る少し前に本郷追分けの学校から壱岐坂の勤め先へ行く途中、大きく迂回して根津神社へつつじを見に行った。花の中にいるとその色香に酔うばかりで、植物の名前を書き留めてこようという頭が働かないのが私のダメなところ。あとから見ると、あの典雅な名前の数々が朧気に蘇る。けれど後の祭り。命名への情熱はこの文化の至る所に。それを引き継ぐのも放棄するのもあとから来たもの次第となると、ボンヤリしてばかりもいられない。この次こそはと思うのだけれど。本日の更新は『東京散歩』中「根津神社 躑躅三昧」です。緑したたる季節、御機嫌如何でしょう。
How fast time passes on holiday! Although I have to shift from relaxation to preparation for the upcoming busy days, my laziness overcomes. Before Golden Week holidays started, I went round to Nezu Shrine to see azalea, on my way from a school at Hongo-Oiwake to the campus where I work in Ikizaka, Hongo. In flowers I am fascinated with their colors and scents and forget to take notes of the graceful names they have. How silly of me! In the tradition of our culture there is the passion for naming. Whether to maintain the heritage or to lose it depends upon those who come later: therefore, we are responsible. I should be more alert next time, really. Today's update: "Deep in Azalea of Nezu Shrine" of Tokyo Walking. How are you doing in this beautiful season of fresh green leaves?
Saturday 1/5/2004
五月を迎え「黄金週間」がめぐってきた。実のところようやく休息を取れるのが一番嬉しい。新年度最初の月は走りっぱなしだったので。そろそろ大幅な模様替えをと思いながら、なかなか手の入れられないこのサイト。せめて新しい月にちなんで表紙写真とこの「更新・短信」ページを刷新しましょう。いずれも勤め先に近い本郷界隈で見つけた情景です。古い街の奥まった一角。消えていくものと残るものと。ひともものも。五月の光の祝福を浴びて。
"The Golden Week" of May has come round. As a matter of fact this is a short break after a month of the busiest new school/fiscal year starting in April in Japan. I'm happy to have time for relaxation. Although I always mean to renew this site drastically, I can hardly have time and energy to start. Only the cover photo and this page were renewed somehow today. I found both of the secenes in the old town where I work. There are things to disappear and things to remain. People, too. The blessing of light in May prevails in the world.
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