The summer heat continues as usual. Though autumn festivals across the regions have ended and I would normally want to recite something like ‘autumn deepens,’ the heat and summer-like scenes still frequently catch my eye. Nearby, the fallow fields are full of blooming sunflowers, and visiting families are dressed in summer attire, enjoying shaved ice as if it were the height of summer. Yet, around the sunflower fields, some late-blooming cluster amaryllis are blossoming. However, as you go a little further into the hills, the scenery turns fully into autumn. Golden rice fields stretch out as far as the eye can see, with some already harvested. The persimmons are ripening nicely, and red dragonflies flutter through the air. And yet, in the distance, the sound of cicadas still echoes. My head is in a state of chaos. Is it summer or is it autumn? When I look at the calendar, I realize it’s already well past the middle of October.

相変わらず夏日が続いています。各地の秋祭りも終わり、本来なら「秋深し」と詠みたいところですが、この暑さといい、夏を思わせる光景もしばしば目にします。近くの休耕地にはヒマワリが咲き乱れていますし、訪れた親子連れも夏姿。かき氷を美味しそうに食べています。そのくせ、ヒマワリ畑の周りには咲き遅れた彼岸花が咲いています。しかし、その景色も少し山手に入ると、やはり完全に秋景色です。黄金色に染まった稲穂が一面に広がっていますし、刈り終えた田んぼもあります。柿もしっかり熟し、赤トンボも舞っています。そのくせ、遠くでツクツクボウシが鳴いています。もう頭はカオス状態です。夏なのか秋なのか、カレンダーを見れば、もう10月も半ばを過ぎているんですよ。