Zeami, a well-known Noh performer in Japan, writes in his book, “Fushikaden” (or “Kadensho”), the power to emotionally move his audience is expressed as ‘Hana(Flower)’. People are attracted because a performer keeps this ‘Hana’ secret, otherwise they will not be attracted. He teaches that knowing this separation is a master of Noh.
赤い山茶花は見慣れているせいか、ただ可愛いという感じですが、白い山茶花には時々はっとさせられる妖艶さを感じさせられることがあります。純白の装いの中に漂う淡いピンク、その花芯に秘めた艶めかしさに思わず惹き寄せられます。
Tsukubai, a tiny purifying basin, is located at the entrance of the tea house and ritually purify themselves by pouring some water over their hands here. Tsukubai in Kyoto Ryoanji Temple is famous, Four Chinese characters, 吾唯足知(“ware tada taru wo shiru” (I simply know what is enough)) “are carved there. The feature of the stone is the square water hole in the centre of the stone, where the water is stored, forms a part of each letter.
つくばい（蹲踞、蹲）とは、茶室に入る前に、手を清めるために置かれた背の低い手水鉢に投石をおいて趣を加えたもで、手水で手を洗うとき「つくばう（しゃがむ）」ことからその名がきました。「そんきよ」とも読み、相撲や剣道で屈んで座る姿勢のことを指します。
It seems that spring is coming early this year because of the warm winter. The fish nets have been finished maintaining, and the only thing left is to go fishing. What is different from every year is that the seawater temperature is high and the tide is not clear. We do not foresee whether this will be good or bad.
最近になって50日遅れの初雪情報がちらほら届き始めました。梅が咲き、桜が咲き、菜の花まで咲いています。そういえばまだ雛祭りも終わっていません。漁港でも網の手入れも早めに終え出漁を待つだけです。
Today is the coldest day of this winter. After a long time, I was soaked in Arima Onsen and my body and mind warmed up. Previously, I would often arrive at Arima Hot Springs from Ashiya, Hyogo Pre., over Rokko Mountain (930m above sea level). It is a nostalgic memory.
今日はこの冬いちばんの冷え込みだそうです。久しぶりに有馬温泉に行き、金泉、銀泉にたっぷり浸かりました。金泉は塩分と鉄を含んだ温泉、銀泉は炭酸とラジュームを含んだ温泉です。日本三古泉のひとつです。他は、白浜温泉、道後温泉です。
February 4th is the day of “Risshun”. That is, it’s the day when the calendar shows the mid-winter and at the same time the sign of spring. However, this year, winter flowers like daffodils and spring flowers like cherry blossoms and rape blossoms are blooming with mixed.
2月4日は立春です。冬の極みの中に春の訪れを感じ取られる日です。しかし最近は事情が違います。水仙のような冬の花が咲いているかと思えば、傍らには菜の花が咲いていたり。梅の花も満開で、桜の花も負けじと咲き誇っているといった具合。季節の境目がありません。
The world produces 4 billion tons of food each year, which is enough to feed the entire population. Nevertheless, 820 million people are suffering from hunger.There are various causes of hunger, one of which is food loss. There are various causes of hunger, one of which is food waste. Global food waste is 1.3 billion tonnes. By the way, Japan’s food waste is 28.42 million tons annually, of which food loss is 6.46 million tons.
今年は恵方巻も注文生産が増えているようです。今まではその日の最後まで食品棚を満杯にしておくのが当たり前だった百貨店をはじめ多くの店もこの悪習に気付き始めたようです。
In Japan, February 3 is the day of Setsubun and a ceremony is held to scatter beans and drive away demons. Recently, the habit of eating a sushi roll called “Ehomaki” which is believed to bring good fortune if eaten while facing that year’s “Eho” (good luck direction) has been established.
節分と言えば豆撒き。「鬼は外、福は内」と大豆を撒いたものです。歳の数に一つ加えた数だけ豆を食べる習慣もありました。今はもっぱらこの恵方巻。1989年にセブンイレブンの野田静真が、大阪には昔から節分に巻寿司を食べる習慣があると聞き、「恵方巻」と名を打って売りだし、瞬く内に全国に広まったとか。
Akazawa Onsen is located in Izu, Izu. Although it was a remote hot spring away from Ito Onsen, it is now a large resort with various facilities. There is also a one-day hot spring, and during this season you can soak in the hot spring with cherry blossom petals while watching the open ocean.
伊豆の伊東温泉から少し離れた高原に赤沢温泉があります。元は鄙びた温泉でしたが、最近では立派なホテルが立ち並ぶ一代リゾート地に変わったいます。日帰り温泉もあり、この季節、眼前に広がる大海原を眺めながら、桜の花びらが浮かぶ温泉に浸かるのも乙なものです。
A single plum blossom is floating in the red cup. Its last appearance is beautiful and at the same time makes us feel the fragility of life.Traditionally, Japanese has found the beauty in its transience and often realized the fragility of human life.
今日から２月。１月もあっという間に過ぎました。旧暦では如月ですが、如月は今の２月下旬から３月に当たるので、寒さが厳しくなるので重ね着をするという意味の「衣更着」、春の草木が萌え始めるという意味の「生更木」の二通りの語言説があります。「如月」は中国語。