February is over today.  It’s been two months in no time.  The epidemic of infection by the new coronavirus that has continued since last year has subsided a little, but the infection is still spreading worldwide. The pandemic caused by the Spanish flu 100 years ago took three years to settle, so it’s still unpredictable.  However, unlike those days, medical technology has improved and vaccine technology has advanced, so I think it will end sooner than when a Spanish flu had been widespread, and I would like to expect that.  At the “Lake Biwa Marathon” held today, Kengo Suzuki (25) won the new Japanese record of 2 hours 4 minutes 56 seconds.  Good news.  We want to get out of this depressed situation as soon as possible.

今日で２月もお終い。あっと言う間の２ヶ月です。昨年から続く新型コロナウイルスによる感染の流行は少し落ち着いてきましたが、世界的にはまだまだ感染拡大しています。100年前に起こったスペイン風邪によるパンデミックは収束するのに３年掛かったそうですから、まだまだ予断を許しません。しかし、当時とは違って医療技術も向上し、ワクチン技術も発達していますから、スペイン風邪の時よりも早く終息するとは思いますし、そう期待したいところです。今日行われた「びわ湖毎日マラソン」では、鈴木健吾（25）選手が2時間4分56秒の日本新記録で優勝しました。幸先の良いニュースです。１日も早くこの鬱屈した状況から抜け出たいものです。

In the Inatori district of Higashiizu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, there is a custom of “Hina hanging decoration” that has been handed down since the Edo period.  Wishing for the healthy growth and good luck of the daughter, a handmade doll made by the mother and grandmother sewing pieces of cloth is hung on both ends of Hina decorations.  It is now widely known and many people come to see the “Hina hanging decoration”.  There will be a few venues for “Hinamatsuri decorations” in the town, but the highlight is the “Hinamatsuri decorations” at the Susanoo Shrine. The dolls and hanging decorations on the 108 steep stairs, combined with the torii gate in front of the stairs, will move people’s hearts.

静岡県東伊豆町の稲取地区には江戸時代から伝わる「雛のつるし飾り」の風習があります。娘の健やかな成長や良縁を願い、母親や祖母が布の切れ端を縫い合わせて作った手作りの人形を雛段飾りの両端へ吊るします。今では広く知られることになり、「雛のつるし飾り」を見る為に多くの人達が訪れます。町中に「雛のつるし飾り」の会場が設けられますが、圧巻は「素戔嗚神社」の「雛壇飾り」です。108段の急勾配の階段に飾られる雛人形と雛のつるし飾りは階段手前の鳥居と相まって、人の心を揺さぶります。

All 100-yen shops called Hyakkin or 100-yen shop have become firmly established, and have grown to become known as “100-yen culture.”  The total sales of 100-yen shops exceed 500 billion yen, which is close to 1/10 of the total sales of department stores (185 stores).  I was surprised that half of the second floor of a nearby supermarket is a 100-yen shop.  Most items such as daily necessities and stationery are available.  I’m curious about some surprising products and the cheaper products that I think is 100 yen, and I think this is also a factor that attracts customers.  When I’m looking for Hina dolls corner because it is just the time, cute goods are lined up all over the place.  By the way, Daiso, a major 100-yen shop, has 125 stores overseas.

百均とか100円ショップと呼ばれる100円均一の店がすっかり定着して、今では「百均文化」と呼ばれるまでに成長しました。100円ショップの総売上高は5,000億円を超え、百貨店(185店舗)の総売上の1/10に迫る勢いです。近くのスーパーの２階の半分が100円ショップになっていて驚いたことがあります。日用品や文房具などの大概の商品が揃っています。エッと驚く商品やこれが100円と思う商品があって興味津々、これもお客を引きつける要因になっていると思います。時期が時期だけに、お雛様コーナーを探したらありました。可愛いグッズが所狭しと並んでいます。100円ショップの大手、ダイソーは海外にも125店舗あるそうです。

A coffee cafe that I stopped by.  The floor is decorated with Hina dolls in a marble Western-style cafe.  The menus served are all Western-style, not to mention coffee.  It will be accepted by young people without any sense of incongruity.  I think I saw the characteristics of Japanese culture here as well.  This Hinamatsuri wasn’t so popular until very recently, not to mention shortly after the war.  This may be a characteristic of the information-oriented society, but it also seems to be the result of the enrichment of society and the creation of relaxation in the mind.  There will be many events going on this year, but I’m curious about what changes will be brought into the tradition.

ふと立ち寄ったコーヒーカフェ。床は大理石の洋風カフェに雛壇が飾らせています。出されたメニューもコーヒーはもちろん全て洋風メニュー。若い方には何の違和感もなく受けいられるのでしょう。はしなくもここでも日本文化の特徴を見た思いです。この雛祭りも戦後間も無くの頃はもちろん、ごく最近までこんなに盛んではありませんでした。これも情報化社会の特徴かも知れませんが、社会が豊かになり、心にゆとりが生まれてきた結果にも思えます。この一年もこれから様々な行事が繰り広げられるでしょうが、伝統の中にどんな変化が持ち込まれるか興味が尽きません。

The daffodil flowers have almost disappeared, and the leading role has changed to plum blossoms.  The bright pink plums are further accentuated by the dark green daffodils.  There are many days when the temperature varies greatly.  There are days when the maximum temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius, while there are days when the minimum temperature reaches 0 degrees Celsius, and I am confused about what to wear every day.  But spring is definitely approaching.  The mountain surface looks soft with sprout sprouts, and the cherry blossom sprouts lined up along the nearby river are swelling.  The number of people walking with short sleeves is increasing.  Large carps gather while making a noise in the food that the children sprinkle.  It’s just a spring scene that I can’t think of in late February.

水仙の花はほぼ姿を消し、主役は梅に変わりました。その鮮やかなピンクの梅を緑濃い水仙がいっそう際立たせています。気温も寒暖の差が激しい日が続いています。最高気温が20度を超える日があるかと思えば、最低気温が０度になる日があったりで、着る物にも戸惑う毎日です。しかし春は確実に近づいています。山肌が新芽の芽吹きで柔らかく見え、近くの川沿いに並ぶ桜の芽が膨らみを増しています。ウォーキングする人の中には半袖の人が増えています。子供達が撒く餌に大きな鯉が水音を立てながら集まってきます。二月下旬とは思えない光景ばかりです。

Katabami(the bermuda buttercups) are blooming all at once along the road.  Normally, it starts to bloom in time with the cherry blossoms, but it seems that it bloomed because of the cheerfulness of like May.  The origin of Katabami is South Africa, and because of its beautiful flowers, it has been imported to various parts of the world.  It was introduced to Japan in the early Meiji era, and initially it was seen only in Kagoshima, but now it has spread to a wide area south of the Kanto region.  It is now commonly found in ornamental breeds and in parks and roadside plantings, but it is harmful to livestock and reduces milk fat when dairy cows accidentally eat in the pasture.  Also, at golf courses and soccer fields, it is difficult to remove because it is a great enemy to the lawn.

道沿いの植え込みにオオキバナカタバミが一斉に花を開いています。例年なら桜の開花に合わせる様に咲き始めますが、五月の陽気に誘われて咲いた様です。オオキバナカタバミの原産は南アフリカで、花が綺麗なので世界各地に移入されました。日本には明治の初め頃移入され、当初は鹿児島だけでしたが今では関東以南の広い地域に広がりました。観賞用に育てたり、公園や道沿いの植え込みでもよく見受けられるようになりましたが、家畜には有害で、牧草地で乳牛が誤食すると乳脂肪量が落ちます。また、ゴルフ場やサッカー場では芝生に大敵なので駆除が大変です。

About 800 Kawazu cherry trees are planted on both banks of the Aono River, which flows through Shimogamo Onsen in the center of Minamiizu Town, the southernmost tip of the Izu Peninsula.  It’s usually in full bloom now, but due to the warm winter this year, the leaves of the cherry blossoms are already noticeable.  Due to the influence of Corona, various events have been canceled, and it seems that the local famous rickshaw has few users and seems to have nothing to do.  Yesterday seemed a cheerful early summer nationwide and that a lot of people rushed to the resort.  If you look at the calendar, it’s still February.  The TV reports the forecast of cherry blossoms nationwide just now.

伊豆半島最南端の南伊豆町の中心にある下賀茂温泉を流れる青野川の両岸には河津桜が約800本が植えられています。例年なら今が見頃ですが、今年は暖冬のせいでもう葉桜が目立ちます。コロナの影響もあり、様々なイベントも中止され、名物の人力車も利用者が少なく手持ち無沙汰な様子です。昨日は全国的にも初夏の陽気で、行楽地にも大勢の人が押しかけたようです。カレンダーを見ればまだ二月。テレビでは全国の桜の開花予想を報じています。

Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, a famous poet of ancient Japan, also has a waka poem about Mitsumata.  Mitsumata was named “Mitsumata” because its branches are divided into three parts.  It is also referred to as mitsumata, three branches, or three forks.  Mitsumata opens pale yellow flowers all at once as if to announce spring, so it was also called “Sakikusa(Flowers telling spring) and it was said to be an auspicious auspicious grass, so it was also called “happy grass”.  Along with mulberry, it is also an important raw material for Japanese paper, and it is also used in Japanese banknotes, which are known worldwide for their excellence.

「春されば　まず三枝の　幸くあらば　後にも逢はむな　恋ひそ吾妹」(春が来ればまず真っ先に咲く三枝のように、幸いならばまた逢えるだろう。そんなに恋焦がれないでおくれ、愛しい人よ)
柿本人麻呂がミツマタ(三椏)を詠んだ和歌です。ミツマタはその枝が必三つに分かれるので、「ミツマタ」と名付けられました。三椏とも三枝または三叉とも表記します。ミツマタはあたかも春を告げるかのごとく一足先に淡い黄色の花を一斉に開（ひ）らくため「先草＝サキクサ」とも呼ばれたり、縁起の良い吉兆の草とされていたので「幸草（サキクサ）」と呼ばれたりすることもあります。コウゾと並んで和紙の重要な原料でもあり、世界的にもその優秀さを知られた日本の紙幣にも使われています。

Rape blossoms in Ita, Numazu City are in full bloom.  The azure Suruga Bay spreads over there, and Mt. Fuji, which is still covered with snow even in the middle, is gently expanding its base in the cloudless sky.  It seems that this view of early spring stands aloof from the world.  The corona vaccine has finally begun to be taken in Japan, and it seems that a ray of light has begun to shine, but it seems that the corona won’t be over this year yet. Looking at the news on TV, there are some bright news, but there are also many depressing news.  Last night I couldn’t stand it and turned off the news and kept listening to my favorite music.

沼津市井田の菜の花は満開です。向こうには紺碧の駿河湾が広がり、まだ中腹にまで雪に被われた富士山が雲一つない大空に悠然と裾野を広げています。超然とした早春の景色です。やっと日本でもコロナワクチンの摂取が始まり、一筋の光明が差し始めた様ですが、今年一年もコロナコロナで明け暮れそうです。テレビのニュースを見ていても、明るいニュースもありますが、気が滅入るニュースも沢山あります。昨晩は居た堪れずニュースを消して好きな音楽を聴き続けました。

The weeping plums are in full bloom.  Seen from the distance, it looks like a red fountain spouting from the earth.  There are many other plants that are named “weeping”, such as weeping cherry blossoms or weeping willow. Most hardwood forests have the possibility of weeping. However, many trees spread branches toward the top and die when the branches hang down.  It seems that the mechanism is how the annual rings are made. Therefore, since trees have branches because they receive sunlight efficiently, so   it’s okey to hang down.  Since there are also weeping persimmons and weeping peaches, “weeping” should have many benefits for plants, and it seems that the mechanism of “weeping” is not really understood.

枝垂れ梅が見事な花を咲かせています。遠目には大地から噴き出た赤い噴水の様です。枝垂れ桜に枝垂れ柳、「枝垂れ」と名を冠する植物は他にも沢山あります。広葉樹林のほとんどは枝垂れる可能性があるそうです。しかし多くの木は上に枝を張り、枝が垂れてくると枯れます。そのメカニズムは年輪の出来方にあるそうですが、木が枝を張るのは太陽光を効率的に受ける仕組みですから、枝を下に垂れてもいい訳です。枝垂れ柿や枝垂れ桃などもありますから、「枝垂れ」は植物にとってもメリットが多いはずで、「枝垂れ」のメカニズムは本当のところは分かっていない様です。