After the passing of the typhoon, Osaka cleared up with sunny skies today. Due to the anticipation of a large typhoon, memories of Typhoon No. 21 in Heisei 30 (2018) came to mind, and there was a sense of vigilance. Fortunately, there wasn’t significant damage and relief was felt. However, on the television news, it’s evident that there are still areas with substantial damage, and our sympathies go out to those who have been affected.
Today is the day of the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji) Festival. This morning, it was unusually cool, and the gentle breeze carried a slight hint of autumn, making me realize that we are reaching the time to bid farewell to the departing summer. The Gozan Okuribi, a traditional event in Kyoto held during the Bon Festival, involves lighting fires in the shapes of “Daimonji,” “Nishi Daimonji,” “Funagata,” “Torii-gata,” and “Myōhō” on five surrounding mountains of Kyoto. This sending of fires symbolizes guiding the spirits of our ancestors, who have returned home during Bon, back to the realm of the afterlife. When the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi concludes, it marks a milestone in the summer and signifies the beginning of a season where the feeling of autumn becomes tangible.

台風一過、大阪は今日は晴れ渡りました。大型台風ということで、平成30年(2018年)の21号台風のことを思い出し、警戒しましたが、幸いにも大した被害もなく、ほっとしました。しかし、テレビのニュースでは、やはり大きな被害が出ている所があり、被害に遭われた地域の方々にはお気の毒なかぎりです。
今日は京都五山送り火の日です。今朝はいつになく涼しく、吹く風にわずかに秋の気配も感じられ、ゆく夏を惜しむ頃になったんだと実感します。五山の送り火とはお盆に行われる京都の伝統行事で、京都を囲む5つの山にそれぞれ「大文字」「左大文字」「船形」「鳥居形」「妙法」の形に火が灯されます。この送り火には盆に我が家に戻ってきた先祖の精霊が、再び冥府に帰るのを送るという意味があります。この京都五山送り火が終わると夏も一区切り、いよいよ秋を身近に感じる季節になります。