I have composed a haiku with three seasonal words overlapping. Overlapping seasonal words are considered taboo in haiku. However, there is a famous haiku by the haiku poet Yamaguchi Sodo, who was active in the early Edo period, which goes: ‘In my eyes, fresh leaves – the mountain hototogisu, the first bonito.’ This verse effectively conveys the essence of early summer sensed through the five senses of sight, hearing, and taste. Of course, my haiku cannot compare to this verse, but it is a moaning verse, hoping to convey a momentary coolness amidst the intense heat just after the end of the rainy season.
By the way, let’s talk about Warabimochi. This is a traditional Japanese confectionery made from the starch extracted from the roots of the bracken fern (warabi). It has a soft and smooth texture. In the old days, it was said to be a favorite of Emperor Daigo. It is usually eaten with roasted soybean flour (kinako), powdered green tea (matcha), or black syrup (kuromitsu) poured on top. However, the amount of warabi powder that can be obtained is extremely limited, so most warabimochi is made by mixing warabi powder with other starches.

季語三つの季重なりの句になりました。季重なりは俳句ではタブーとされています。しかし江戸時代前期に活躍した俳人、山口素堂に「目に(は)青葉　山ほととぎす　初鰹」という有名な俳句があります。目、耳、口の五感で感じた初夏の趣きを的確に伝えています。もちろん我が俳句はこの句に及ぶべくもありませんが、梅雨明け直後の猛烈な暑さに一服の涼しさが伝えられたらと呻吟した句です。ところでわらび餅ですが、これはワラビの根茎から取れる澱粉を原料とする、柔らかく口どけの良い伝統的な和菓子です。古くは、醍醐天皇の大好物と伝えられていて、きな粉や抹茶の粉、黒蜜をかけて食べるのが一般的となっています。ただわらび粉が取れる量が極めて少なく、わらび餅もワラビ粉に他の澱粉を混ぜた物がほとんどです。

According to the meteorological station, on the 20th, the Kinki region was covered by a high-pressure system, resulting in clear skies over a wide area. It is expected to remain mostly sunny for the next week as well. The meteorological station announced on the morning of the 20th that “the rainy season is considered to have ended in the Kinki region.” This year’s end to the rainy season is one day later than usual but three days earlier than last year. Many schools are having their first-term closing ceremonies today, and tomorrow marks the beginning of summer vacation in many places.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic, which has lasted for three and a half years, has not yet completely subsided, it seems to be gradually heading towards an end. Over this period, society has undergone significant changes. The utilization of IT has further evolved, and various aspects of life, such as work styles, school teaching methods, and interpersonal communication through social media, have changed considerably. I’m also curious about how the accumulated energy from the past three and a half years of frustration will be released.
Even when riding the Nankai train that connects Kansai Airport and downtown Osaka, one can be surprised by the large number of foreign tourists. The news mentioned the day before yesterday that the number of foreign visitors to Japan has exceeded ten million. Although it is still far from the pre-pandemic fifty million, it is expected to surpass that number again sooner or later.

気象台によりますと、２０日の近畿地方は高気圧に覆われ、広い範囲で晴れました。この先１週間もおおむね晴れる見込みで、気象台は２０日午前「近畿地方が梅雨明けしたとみられる」と発表しました。梅雨明けは、平年より１日遅く、去年と比べ３日早いそうです。学校も今日が一学期の終業式で、明日からは夏休みというところが多い様です。丸3年半続いたコロナ禍も、まだ完全には収束していませんが、徐々に収束に向かいそうです。この3年半で社会も大きく変わりました。ITの活用がいっそう進化し、働き方から学校の授業のやり方、SNSによる人的交流も随分変わりました。鬱屈した３年半に溜まったエネルギーがどう言う形で発散されるか、興味もあります。関西空港と大阪都心を結ぶ南海電車に乗っても、外国人旅行者の多さにびっくりします。先一昨日もニュースで来日外国人が一千万人を超えたとか。これでもコロナ禍前の五千万人には遠く及びませんが、早晩これもはるかに超えるものと期待します。

In a corner of Osaka, famous for places like the Tsutenkaku in Shinsekai, Tennoji Zoo, and Abeno Harukas, there is Isshinji Temple where many celebrities are enshrined. The temple’s main gate is grand, and two Niō statues stand tall, resembling contemporary art pieces, giving the temple a museum or art gallery-like ambiance. In close proximity stands the Shitennōji Temple, but Isshinji also ranks among the most visited temples in Osaka. Inside its precincts, you’ll find the rare sight of Jacaranda flowers blooming, still uncommon in Japan, which adds to the surprise. It’s a temple that symbolizes the free city of Osaka, which is not bound by anything. Jacaranda is a flower commonly found in Central and South America, with Australia’s Jacaranda-lined streets being particularly famous. As Japan heads into autumn, Australia in the southern hemisphere blossoms with the pale purple flowers of Jacaranda, painting the spring streets in a purple hue. Jacaranda is one of the three world-renowned flowering trees (alongside Flame Tree and Poinciana) and belongs to the Bignoniaceae family of tall trees. Recently, people have been captivated by its beauty, and now you can spot Jacaranda trees here and there throughout Japan.

通天閣で有名な新世界や、天王寺動物園、あべのハルカスなどがある一角に、芸能人が多く祀られる一心寺があります。山門は大きく、現代アートのようなのような仁王像がすっくと立つ、まるで博物館か美術館のような佇まいのお寺です。すぐ近くには四天王寺がありますが、大阪でも参拝客の多さでは屈指のお寺でもあります。その境内に、日本ではまだ珍しいジャカランダの花が咲いているから、これまた驚きです。何事にも囚われない、自由都市大阪を象徴する様なお寺ですからムベなるかなです。ジャカランダは、中南米ではよく見かける花木で、オーストラリアのジャカランダ並木は特に知られています。日本が秋に向かう頃、南半球のオーストラリアではジャカランダの薄い紫色の花が木いっぱいに咲き、春の街路はパープルに染まります。ジャカランダは、世界三大花木（カエンボク、ホウオウボク、ジャカランダ）のひとつで、ノウゼンカズラ科の高木です。最近は、その美しさに魅せられて、日本でもあちらこちらで見かける様にになりました。

From various places across the country, news of mountain openings and beach openings arrive, and yesterday marked the grand procession of the Gion Festival yamaboko floats in Kyoto, signaling the true arrival of this year’s peak summer season. The summer vacation is just around the corner. Even though I’m at an age where summer vacation no longer applies to me, every year at this time, I can’t help but feel that excitement and thrill. The morning radio calisthenics start, and I wonder if I should keep an illustrated diary. There’s also the anticipation of finding new friends during the summer break. Many thoughts swirl in my head. I’ve already reverted to my childhood self. The memories of summer vacations from childhood are deeply etched in my mind. In the past, boys would run around all day with just their underwear and a running shirt, and by the end of the summer vacation, their faces and bodies would be completely sunburnt. The concept of heatstroke didn’t even exist, and I wonder if there were any kids with such symptoms back then.

全国のあちらこちらから、山開き、海開きの便りが届き、昨日は京都祇園祭りの山鉾巡行と、いよいよ今年の夏本番の到来です。夏休みも目の前。と言っても、この歳で夏休みがあるわけがありません。しかし、毎年この時分になるとそんな気分になり、気がワクワクするのです。朝のラジオ体操が始まるし、絵日記はつけないかんし、「夏休みの友」はあるし、いろんなことが頭を巡ります。もうすっかり子供に帰っています。それほど子供の頃の夏休みは記憶に深く残っているのです。昔は、男の子はパンツ一枚に、上はランニングシャツ一枚。そんな姿で、一日中、山や川を駆けづり回っているのですから、夏休みが終わる頃には顔も体も真っ黒けです。熱中症なんて言葉もなかったし、そんな症状の子なんていたのかなという感じです。

Shaved ice while listening to Gion music
However, that doesn’t mean I’m physically present at the scene. Nowadays, live broadcasts can be seen on computers and smartphones, and there are plenty of videos uploaded on YouTube as well. Of course, the experience is different in person, so there’s nothing like actually witnessing it. The Gion Festival is one of those events, but recently, Japanese festivals, in particular, have been gaining attention abroad. While you can only see the Gion Festival by coming to Japan, Japanese Bon Odori dances, especially the Awa Odori in Tokushima, seem to be attracting people from all over the world. In Paris, New York, Melbourne, Barcelona, and various other places, you can witness the sight of locals dressed in yukata enjoying the Bon Odori dances. As a Japanese person, it makes me happy to see this, and I believe it represents one aspect of Japan contributing to world peace.

と言っても現場にいるわけではありません。最近はパソコンやスマホで実況中継も見られますし、Youtubeでも沢山アップされています。もちろん臨場感が違いますから、実際に見聞きするに越した事はありません。祇園祭りもそうですが、日本の祭りが最近特に外国で注目されている様です。祇園祭りは来日してもらわないと見られませんが、日本の盆踊り、中でも徳島の阿波踊りなんかは、世界中からお呼びが掛かっている様です。パリ、ニューヨーク、メルボルン、バルセロナ、至る所で、浴衣姿の現地人も交えて盆踊りに興じている光景を見ていると、日本人としても嬉しいし、これこそ世界平和に貢献する日本の一つの姿だと思いました。

There was a concert in Misaki Town, known for the former Misaki Park, the southernmost tip of Osaka Prefecture. The venue, Kozu Hall, had a fantastic location with a view of the expansive Osaka Bay and a distant glimpse of Kansai Airport. Summer dragonflies flitted around the trees, most likely zelkova, planted in the front yard. Though the rainy season had not yet ended, the sky was clear, adorned with wispy white clouds brushed delicately across it.
Occasionally, planes took off from Kansai Airport in complete silence. Amidst the captivating view seen through the hall’s windows, Mr. Bisco, a pianist, came down from the 2nd floor in a novel costume that arranged Japanese clothes to the accompaniment of Ms SHINO, a shinobue player. Thus, the evening concert began.
Though the venue could hold only about 60 people, it was a small hall. However, with the skilled emcee, Mr. Takatsu, blending in his entertaining talk, a warm atmosphere enveloped the place. The audience enjoyed listening to various genres of music, from light melodies to jazz and ballads, as the twilight of early summer gently descended.
*Please enlarge the photo. You can see a dragonfly.

大阪府の最南端、旧みさき公園で知られる岬町でコンサートがありました。会場のKozu Hallは、前に大阪湾が広がり、遠くに関西空港が見える絶好のロケーションにあります。前の庭に植えられた、多分欅(けやき)と思われる木の周りには、夏トンボが飛び回っています。まだ梅雨は明けていませんが、青空が広がり、刷毛で撫ぜた様な薄い白雲が漂っています。時折、関西空港から飛び立った飛行機が音もなく飛び立って行きます。ホールの窓越しに見える景色に気を取られていると、ピアニストの Biscoさんが、和服をアレンジした斬新な衣装姿で、篠笛奏者のSHINOさんの伴奏に合わせて２階から降りてきました。たそがれコンサートの始まりです。会場には60人ばかりの人が入っているでしょうか、その程度の小さなホールですが、オーナーの高津氏の巧みなトークを交えて、温かい雰囲気の中、軽音楽、ジャス、バラードと様々な曲を聴きながら、初夏の夕べのとばりが降りて行きました。
＊写真を拡大してください。トンボが見えます。

It became a cryptic haiku. As I stared at the morning glory, I suddenly had a revelation: the center of the morning glory is a replica of a white hole. You may have heard of a black hole, which is a celestial body that absorbs all matter, even light, at its center, making it completely dark. On the other hand, a white hole is connected to a black hole and is a celestial body that emits the matter swallowed by the black hole, even emitting light, making it completely white. It resembles the center of a morning glory. Black holes have been confirmed to exist abundantly throughout the universe, continuously absorbing cosmic matter. However, their scale is still small, and the universe continues to expand since the Big Bang. However, as black holes increase in number and size, the universe will transition from expansion to contraction, eventually reaching its limit, and the entire universe will be swallowed by black holes. Beyond the black hole lies a white hole, which continuously emits the matter swallowed by the black hole. At the moment when the black hole consumes the entire universe, the white hole triggers a new Big Bang, giving birth to a new and different universe. This process repeats on a scale of trillions of light-years. And that was the “Midsummer Night’s Dream” that I was captivated by, as I gazed at the morning glory on a summer night.

難解な俳句になりました。朝顔をじっと見つめていたら、突然閃きました。朝顔の中心はホワイトホールの生き写しだと。皆さんも一度は耳にした事のあるブラックホールはあらゆる物質を吸引する天体で、光まで吸引するので中心部は真っ暗です。一方、ホワイトホールはブラックホールと繋がっていて、ブラックホールが飲み込んだ物質を放出する天体で、光まで放出するので真っ白です。朝顔の中心とそっくりです。ブラックホールは全宇宙に沢山存在している事が確認されていて、宇宙の物質を吸引し続けていますが、その規模はまだ小さく、宇宙はビックバン以降膨張し続けています。しかし、いつかはブラックホールが数を増し、巨大化するに従って、宇宙は膨張から収縮に転じ、それが極限に達すると、全宇宙がブラックホールに飲み込まれてしまいます。ブラックホールの先にあるホワイトホールは、ブラックホールが飲み込んだ物質を放出し続け、ブラックホールが全宇宙を飲み込んだ瞬間にホワイトホールが新たなビッグバンを起こし、また新たな別の宇宙を生み出します。これが何兆光年単位で繰り返されているのです。と、朝顔に見入った晩に見た「真夏の夜の夢」でした。

Taisanboku flower truly exudes the grandeur of a summer floral king. With its size (15-45cm in diameter), appearance, and pure whiteness, there is no flower that surpasses Taisanboku. Although it is native to the subtropical regions of southeastern North America, it is distributed worldwide. Initially, it was called “Dazhanmu” (which means “big cup tree” in Chinese) due to the shape of its flowers. However, owing to its majestic aura, it came to be called “Taishan tree,” named after the famous Chinese mountain, Mount Tai. It has various English names as well, such as Giant Flowered Magnolia or Big Laurel, emphasizing its size. In its native Mississippi and Louisiana, it is designated as the state flower. Taisanboku were introduced to Japan during the Meiji era. There is a Taisanboku planted in Ueno Park by the wife of the 18th President of the United States, Grant, who visited Japan as the first American president in the 12th year of the Meiji era. This Taisanboku was named “Grant Yurin” (Grant Magnolia) and continues to bloom to this day. By the way, Grant was a renowned general of the Union Army during the American Civil War and is known for having a reputation as one of America’s worst presidents.

泰山木の花はまさに夏の花の王者の風格があります。花の大きさ(直径15–45cm)といい、花姿といい、その白さといい、泰山木に勝る花はありません。原産地は北アメリカ南東部の亜熱帯地方ですが、世界中に分布しています。最初は、花の形から「大盞木」（たいさんぼく、盞は盃)と呼ばれていましたが、その風格からいつの頃からか、中国の名山「泰山」に因んで泰山木と呼ばれる様になりました。英語名も沢山ありますが、Giant flowered magnoliaとかbig-laurelと言う風に、やはり大きさに注目した様です。自生地のミシシッピ州とルイジアナ州では州の花に指定されています。日本には明治時代に導入されました。明治12年に、アメリカ大統領として初めて来日した、第18代大統領グラントの夫人が上野公園に植樹した泰山木が、「グラント玉蘭」と名付けられて今も花を咲かせています。因みにグラントはアメリカ南北戦争の北軍の名将で、アメリカの最悪の大統領と言う評判を持った人です。

The first cicada has started chirping. Under the roadside trees, there are discarded cicada shells. A little further away, the morning glories are in full bloom on the same hedge. The end of the rainy season is near. While it varies from year to year, the average date for the rainy season to end in the Kinki region is around July 19th. Last year it was on July 23rd, but this year it seems to be advanced a little earlier than that. On the other hand, the news on TV has been reporting the damages caused by heavy rain in northern Kyushu for several days. It’s a devastating sight that makes you want to cover your eyes. It seems that natural disasters caused by climate change like this are increasing year by year. Without relying solely on past data, we need to take proactive measures as early as possible to avoid being struck by even greater disasters in the future. This is an era where a significant shift in consciousness is required.

1番ゼミが鳴きました。街路樹の下の生垣にはセミの抜け殻があります。少し離れた同じ生垣には朝顔が一面満開です。梅雨明けが間近です。年によっても変動がありますが、近畿での梅雨明けは平年で7月19日頃で、昨年は7月23日でしたが、今年はそれよりも少し早めに梅雨明けしそうです。一方、テレビでは連日、九州北部の豪雨による被害状況が報じられています。目を覆いたくなる様な惨状です。年々歳々、こうした気候変動による自然災害が増えてきている様です。過去のデータに頼る事なく、早め早めに対策を講じていかなければ、今後更なる大災害に見舞われないとも限りません。ここでも意識の大変革を求められる時代です。

Although I thought the Tanabata Festival and the Wind Chime Festival were separate events, I was surprised to find that many shrines and temples hold a joint festival called the Tanabata Wind Chime Festival. It makes sense since both festivals are held in early summer and share the common practice of hanging strips of paper on bamboo branches, as well as wind chimes. Even the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto holds the Tanabata Wind Chime Festival every year during this season. The sight of wind chimes hanging on both sides of the Kagura stage, with shrine maidens performing sacred dances, is truly a summer tradition. Kamigamo Shrine, located north of Shimogamo Shrine across the Kyoto Botanical Garden, is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Its history is documented in the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, but in reality, it remains a shrine full of mysteries and is important for understanding the origins of Japan. As the evening darkens and the cicadas chirp, the sound of wind chimes resonates while watching the Kagura dance performed by the shrine maidens, drawing you into a world of enchantment.

七夕祭りと風鈴祭りは別物と思っていたのですが、七夕風鈴祭りと謳って一緒にお祭りする神社仏閣が多いのにびっくりしました。時期的にも初夏を彩る行事ですし、七夕の笹にも風鈴にも短冊を吊るす共通点があるので納得です。京都の上賀茂神社でも毎年この時期に七夕風鈴祭りが催されます。神楽舞台の両側に風鈴を吊るし、巫女神楽が舞われる光景はまさに夏の風物詩です。上賀茂神社は京都府立植物園を挟んで南にある下鴨神社と合わせて日本でも最古の神社です。日本書紀や古事記にも来歴が書かれていますが、実際には謎だらけの神社で、日本の成り立ちを知る上でも重要な神社です。夕闇が迫り、ヒグラシが鳴く中、風鈴が鳴り、神楽舞曲に合わせて巫女が舞う神楽舞を見ていると、いつしか幻想の世界に誘い込まれます。