From today until the 19th is “Keichitsu” (Awakening of Insects). From the 20th, it will be the Vernal Equinox. Since, according to the calendar, it is still winter until the Vernal Equinox, we can now say that winter is finally reaching its end. Keichitsu is divided into three segments: the first segment (5th to 9th) is “蟄虫啓戸” (Insects emerge and doors open). This is the time when insects that have been hibernating in the soil start emerging under the warm spring sunlight. The second segment (10th to 14th) is “桃始笑” (Peach blossoms begin to smile), representing the time when peach buds open, and flowers begin to bloom. The last segment (15th to 19th) is “菜虫化蝶” (Caterpillars become butterflies), symbolizing the emergence of butterflies from the chrysalis after enduring the harsh winter and taking flight when their wings are ready.
Even on today’s television, there was news about removing straw mats protecting pine trees from pests. However, the first and second segments have already passed, and as shown in the photo, rapeseed flowers are in full bloom with ladybugs and butterflies dancing around. This winter seems to have been exceptionally warm, and scenes where it’s difficult to distinguish between winter and spring have been observed all over the country. Considering the impact of global warming, it’s not something to rejoice about without reservation.

今日から19日まで啓蟄(けいちつ)です。20日からは春分。暦的には春分までは冬ですから、いよいよ冬も最終盤と言う事になります。啓蟄は３候に分かれていて、初侯(５日〜９日)は「蟄虫啓戸(すごもりむしとをひらく)」で、土の中で冬眠をしていた虫たちが、暖かい春の日差しの下に出てき始める頃、次候(10日〜14日)は「桃始笑(ももはじめてさく)」で、桃のつぼみが開き、花が咲き始める頃、末候(15日〜19日)は「菜虫化蝶(なむしちょうとなる)」で、厳しい冬を越したさなぎが羽化し、美しい蝶へと生まれ変わり、羽ばたく頃、を表します。
今日のテレビでも、松の木を害虫から守るこも巻きを外すニュースが流れていましたが、初侯、次候はもうとっくに終えていて、写真の様に菜の花は満開で、てんとう虫やちょうが舞っています。今年の冬は特に暖かかった様で、冬か春か見分けがつかない光景が全国至る所で見られた様です。地球温暖化の影響を考えたら、手放しで喜んでもいられません。

In the flowerbed along the road, numerous daffodils are still blooming. In a corner next to them, the Himeryukinka (Princess Wands) glistens in the sunlight, its petals sparkling. The flowers are large and quite conspicuous, a stark contrast to the modestly blooming daffodils. However, this flower possesses an undeniable charm with its generous and welcoming presence. Although I mentioned petals, what appears as petals are actually sepals; in Himeryukinka, the petals are not developed. Himeryukinka belongs to the small buttercup family and grows in damp meadows and lakesides in mountainous areas of the United Kingdom and the European continent. Last year, there were more flowers in bloom, but this year they have already finished flowering, and the prominent feature now is the seed pods resembling sugar-coated candies, with the leaves turning yellow.

道に沿った花壇にはまだ沢山の水仙が花を咲かせています。その隣の一角に、ヒメリュウキンカ(姫立金花)が日を受けてキラキラと花びらを輝かせています。花も大きく、とても目立ちます。慎ましく咲いている水仙とは大違いです。しかし、決して憎めないおおらかさを持ち合わせている花です。花びらと言いましたが、花びらに見えるのは萼花弁と呼ばれるもので、ヒメリュウキンカには花びらは退化してありません。ヒメリュウキンカはイギリスやヨーロッパ大陸の山地の湿った草原や湖沼畔に生える、小型のキンポウゲの仲間です。昨年はもっと沢山な花が咲いていましたが、う今年はもう咲き終えて、金平糖のようなタネをつけ、葉が黄変しているのが目立ちます。

Today is Hinamatsuri, a day to wish for the healthy growth of girls and the birth of good babies. While there may be various theories, it is important to simplify things. Last week, Japanese media showed great interest in the news that South Korea’s birthrate dropped to a historic low of 0.72, the lowest in the world. In advanced countries, having a birthrate below the replacement level of 2.0 is common, and falling below 1.5 is labeled as ‘ultra-low birthrate,’ raising concerns about population decline. Japan’s birthrate has been below 1.5 since 1995, and although it seems to be stable at around 1.26 recently, we cannot be complacent.
Factors contributing to the declining birthrate include women’s social advancement, diversification of values leading to delayed marriage and childbirth. The Japanese government recognized the severity of the declining birthrate, especially after the “1.57 Shock” in 1990, and introduced various measures. However, compared to social security systems for the elderly established since the 1970s, measures for the declining birthrate are significantly lagging behind.
It might be an unconventional idea, but analyzing and researching countries with high birth rates worldwide could be crucial. As of 2023, there are nine countries with a birth rate of 5.0 or more and 105 countries with a rate of 2.0 or more. Instead of dismissing the high birth rates in these countries as solely due to less developed circumstances, it is essential to reassess and elevate the instinctive aspects of humanity overlooked by highly developed advanced nations, and promote their development. In simple terms, it involves not only aiming for the advancement of women’s status but also granting greater authority and rewards to men of appropriate age, enhancing their attractiveness and raising more reliable men. Modern society has socially and institutionally castrated men of appropriate age. Many men with far superior capabilities, both mentally and physically, compared to older men or those with higher education, remain buried and unnoticed.

今日はひな祭り。女の子が元気に育っていい赤ちゃんを産んでくれることを願う日です。いろいろ理屈はあるでしょうが、物事を単純化してみることも大切です。先週、韓国の出生率が過去最低の0.72人で世界最低水準に落ち込んだというニュースに日本メディアが大きな関心を寄せました。先進国においては、人口置換の水準とされる出生率2.0を切ることが一般的ですが、1.5を下回ると「超低出生率」と呼ばれ、人口減少の懸念が高まります。日本の出生率は、1995年以降1.5未満で、最近は超低出生ながらも1.26人あたりで安定しているようにも見えますが油断はできません。
少子化の要因としては、女性の社会進出・価値観の多様化に伴う非婚化・晩婚化・晩産化が挙げられます。日本政府も1990年の「1.57ショック」により厳しい少子化の現状が強く認識し、様々な施策を打ち出していますが、1970年代から整備された高齢者向け社会保障制度に比べて、少子化対策は非常に遅れをとっているのが現状です。
対策として突飛な発想かもしれませんが、世界の出生率の高い国々の分析・研究も大切ではないかと思うのです。ちなみに、2023年現在、出生率が5人以上の国が9か国、2人以上の国が105か国あります。こうした国々の出生率の高さを、ただ後進国的な事情によるものだと無視するのではなく、高度に発達した先進国に見落とされている人類本来の本能的側面を見直し、昇華発展させることです。ごく端的に言うならば、女性の地位向上を目指すと同時に、適齢期の男性にもっと大きな権限を与え、報酬を与えることです。男の魅力を倍加させ、頼りがいのある男性を多く育て上げることです。近代社会は社会的にも制度的にも適齢期の男性を去勢しています。高年齢の男性よりも、高学歴の男性よりも心身ともに遥かに優れた能力を持つ男性が多く埋もれたままになっています。

The annual ritual heralding spring in Nara, the ‘Omizutori’ of Todai-ji Temple, has commenced from the first day of March. Omizutori is a ritual within the Buddhist ceremony called Shunie, held at Todai-ji’s Nigatsu-do Hall. Originally, on the midnight of March 12th, the ceremony involved drawing ‘Kohshui’ (fragrant water) from the well called Wakasa-i in front of Nigatsu-do, to offer it to the Bodhisattva Kannon. During the procession from Wakasa-i to the Bodhisattva Kannon, torches were lit to illuminate the path. Currently, Omizutori takes place from March 1st to 14th, with 11 torches lit on the 12th and 10 on other days.
The purpose of this ritual is for the monks (ascetics) who have purified their minds and bodies to chant the sacred scriptures in front of the Eleven-faced Kannon, repent through ascetic practices, and pray for peace in the world. Legend has it that Wakasa-i is connected to the underground water of Wakasa in Fukui Prefecture. On March 2nd, the ‘Omizutori’ is conducted at Wakasa-unose in Wakasa, and it is said that the ‘Kohshui’ takes ten days to reach Wakasa-i at Todai-ji’s Nigatsu-do in Nara.

奈良の春を呼ぶ風物詩、東大寺のお水取りが１日から始まりました。お水取りは東大寺二月堂で行われる修二会(しゅにえ)という法会(人々を集めて説法する行事)の中の一行事です。元々は、3月12日深夜に、二月堂前の若狭井という井戸から観音菩薩にお供えする「お香水」を汲み上げる儀式でした。この「お香水」を若狭井から観音菩薩の仏前に運ぶ途中に、足元を照らす為に松明を灯しました。現在は、お水取りは3月1日から14日までおこなわれ、12日には11本、それ以外の日は10本の松明が灯されます。
目的は、心身を清めた僧（練行衆）が十一面観世音の前で宝号を唱え、荒行によって懺悔し、あわせて天下安穏などを祈願することです。若狭井は福井県の若狭と地下水で繋がっているといい伝説がある井戸です。若狭鵜の瀬では３月２日に「お水送り」が行われ、その「お香水」は、１０日間かけて奈良東大寺二月堂の「若狭井」に届くといわれています。

In Osaka City, there are five major avenues running north to south. In order from the east, they are Tanimachi-suji, Matsuyamachi-suji, Sakai-suji, Midosuji, and Yotsubashi-suji. Among these, Matsuyamachi-suji is the oldest and the only one without a subway running underneath. Its name originates, of course, from passing through Matsuyamachi. Officially pronounced as ‘Matsuyamachi,’ locals in Osaka affectionately call it ‘Matchamachi.’ Walking along Matchamachi today, whether you look to the right or the left, you’ll see nothing but advertisements and banners for Hina dolls.
Renowned doll shops line up along this street, making it the liveliest on weekends among the five avenues. Upon entering these shops, various sets of Hina dolls, both large and small, are neatly displayed. Some sets are priced at over one million yen, which can be quite overwhelming. The history of this street dates back to ancient times when roof tile craftsmen were gathered to rebuild the town that was reduced to ashes during the Siege of Osaka in the summer. The dolls that the tile craftsman made in his spare time became popular, and this is how the town of dolls began.
After World War II, tin toys made by local tinsmiths sold like hotcakes. With the rise of manga books as a trend, Osamu Tezuka’s statement, ‘Walk through Manga Town, Matchamachi,’ led to the proliferation of manga bookstores. Matchamachi has evolved into a town known for Hina dolls, May dolls, and manga.

大阪市には南北を貫く大通りが５本あります。東から順に、谷町筋、松屋町筋、堺筋、御堂筋、四つ橋筋です。この中で最も古くて唯一地下鉄が通ってないのが松屋町筋です。名前の由来はもちろん松屋町を通るからです。正式には「まつやまち」と呼びますが、地元大阪の人は親しみを込めて「まっちゃまち」と呼びます。
今この「まっちゃまち」を歩くと、右を見ても左を見ても雛人形の広告看板とノボリばかりです。名の通った人形店がずらりと並び、土日の賑わいは５本の大通りでは一番です。店に入ると大小様々な雛人形のセットがズラリと並んでいます。中にはワンセット100万円を超えるものもあり、圧倒されます。この通りの歴史は古く、大坂夏の陣で焼け野原になった町を復興する為に瓦職人が集められました。その瓦職人が片手間に作った人形が人気を呼んだのが人形の町の起こりです。
第二次世界大戦のあとは、近くのブリキ職人が作ったブリキのおもちゃがバカ売れ。わマンガ本がブームになると、手塚治虫が「マンガの街、まっちゃまちを歩くんだ。」と言ったことで、マンガ本屋がずらり。「まっちゃまち」は雛人形の街、五月人形の街、マンガの街に発展しました。

Today is February 29th, meaning that this year is a leap year. In the Gregorian calendar we use, there is an annual deviation of 6 hours between it and the Earth’s orbital period. Therefore, every four years, a leap day is added to correct this discrepancy, and that year is called a leap year. If the AD year is divisible by 4, it is a leap year. The presence of an Olympic Games is associated with leap years. To determine if a large number is divisible by 4, you check if its last two digits are divisible by 4. This year is 2024, so the last two digits (24) are divisible by 4. However, there is an exception to leap years; years divisible by 100 but not by 400 are not leap years. An example is the year 2100, which is divisible by 4 but not a leap year. However, the Olympics will still occur.

今日は２月29日、つまり今年は閏年(うるうどし)です。今私達が使っているグレゴリオ暦と地球の公転周期との間には毎年6時間のずれが生じます。そこで４年に１度閏日を設けてこのズレを修正します。その年が閏年です。西暦の年号が４で割り切れれば閏年です。閏年にオリンピックがあります。ある大きな数字が４で割り切れるかどうかは、その数字の下２桁が４で割り切れるかどうかで判定します。今年は2024年ですから、下２桁の24は４で割り切れます。しかし閏年には例外があって、年号が100で割り切れるが、400で割り切れない年は閏年ではありません。近いところでは2100年です。2100は４で割り切れますが2100年は閏年ではありません。オリンピックはあります。

In a corner of the Izumi City Environmental Park, there is a plum orchard. This unique plum orchard has daffodils planted extensively as its undergrowth. From December to January, daffodils bloom abundantly, and as the plum blossoms begin to unfold in late January, the daffodils shed their flowers. By the end of February, most daffodils have dropped their flowers, and the plum blossoms are in full bloom. The green of the daffodil leaves becomes even more vivid, highlighting the pink weeping plum branches. The collaboration between daffodils and plums from mid-winter to early spring is stunning. When comparing plum blossoms to cherry blossoms, plum blossoms are not only vivid in color but also have an excellent fragrance. On the other hand, cherry blossoms, with a slight pink hue, present a modest appearance and have almost no fragrance. However, when cherry blossoms cover the entire tree or cluster together, they are magnificently splendid. They intoxicate people. In contrast, plums gently calm people’s hearts. Perhaps due to seasonal differences, plums and cherry blossoms contrast in various aspects, embodying a duality that resonates with the Japanese people.

和泉市の環境公園の一角に梅園があります。下草には水仙が一面に植えられている珍しい梅園です。12月から１月にかけては水仙が満開になり、１月下旬から梅の花が綻び始めるに従って水仙は花を落とします。２月も下旬になるとほとんどの水仙が花を落とし、梅が満開になります。水仙の葉の緑がいっそう鮮やかになり、ピンクの枝垂れ梅を際立たせます。真冬から初春にかけての水仙と梅の連携が見事です。梅の花と桜の花は、一つ同士を比べると、梅の花は色も鮮やかで香りも申し分ありません。一方、桜の花はわずかにピンクがかっていますが実におとなしい花姿で、香りもほとんどありません。しかし、桜は木全体とか群れると豪華絢爛そのものです。人を酔い痴らせます。その点、梅はしっとりと人の心を落ち着かせます。季節の違いもあるのでしょうが、梅と桜はいろんな面で好対照で、日本人にもこうした二面性があるのでしょう。

When this season arrives, there is always a particular flower that captures my attention – the fragrant wintersweet, or ‘Robai’ in Japanese. Near the pond in the park, there is a vibrant red-blossomed Kan-hi-zakura (cold scarlet cherry tree), and a little further away, the Robai (wintersweet) can be found. Initially, I went to the park drawn by the beauty of the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms. However, at that moment, a delightful fragrance emanated seemingly from nowhere. Even though I tried to smell the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms, they had no discernible scent. The enticing aroma seemed to waft from beyond the bushes, so I ventured into the thicket to discover a splendid display of Robai flowers in full bloom. The enchanting fragrance became even more pronounced in the surroundings. The flowers truly resembled wax, appearing yellow and translucent, as if revealing the blue sky beyond. Since then, every year, I make it a point to visit the park to admire both the Kan-hi-zakura blossoms and the Robai. Interestingly, these two flowers bloom simultaneously during the same season. Despite being flowers with entirely different atmospheres, they resemble a married couple – like a husband in a vivid red gown and a wife exuding the lingering scent of soap after a bath.

この時期になるといつも気になる花があります。ロウバイ(蝋梅)です。公園の池のそばに真っ赤に咲く寒緋桜があって、そこから少し離れた所にそのロウバイがあります。最初は寒緋桜に気を取られて公園に行ったのですが、その時何処からともなくいい香りが漂ってきました。寒緋桜を匂っても何の香りもしません。どうも藪の向こうから匂ってくる様なので、薮を潜って行ってみると立派なロウバイが花をいっぱい咲かせていました。辺りには先ほどのいい香りがいっそう濃く漂っています。花は本当にロウの様です。黄色く透き通って、青空が見える様です。それからは毎年、寒緋桜とこのロウバイを見に行く様になりました。そう言えば、この寒緋桜とロウバイは同じ時期に同じ様に咲くのです。全く雰囲気の違う花ですが、まるで夫婦の様です。真っ赤なガウンを着た旦那と石鹸の匂いをとどめる湯上がりの奥さんの様に。

North of Kyoto, there is Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, where Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning, is enshrined. In remembrance of Michizane, who was said to have loved plum blossoms, the annual ‘Ume Matsuri’ (Plum Blossom Festival) is held on his death anniversary, February 25th. Within the precincts, outdoor tea ceremony seats are arranged, and visitors savor tea prepared by maiko (apprentice geisha). Sugawara no Michizane, known from high school history textbooks for the cancellation of the envoy to Tang China in 894, was born into a scholarly family in the Heian period. Gifted in waka and kanshi poetry from a young age, he excelled in both literary and political fields. However, his talents and rise to prominence incurred the displeasure of the powerful Fujiwara clan, leading to his unjust demotion to Dazaifu in Kyushu, where he met an unfortunate end. After Michizane’s unfortunate death, a series of disasters occurred, and people, fearing it was his curse, enshrined him as Tenjin (the god of heaven) at the present-day Kitano Tenmangu Shrine to appease these misfortunes. In the current exam season, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine serves as a power spot for many students seeking success in their studies. It’s interesting to note that people in Kyoto refer to him as ‘Tenjin-sama,’ while in Osaka, he is known as ‘Tenjin-san’.

学問の神様として知られる菅原道真を祭る京都の北野天満宮。梅の花を愛したとされる道真公をしのんで、命日にあたる２月２５日に毎年恒例の「梅花祭」が開かれました。境内では野点(のだて)の席が設けられ、参拝者らが舞妓さんが点てたお茶を味わっていました。菅原道真と言えば、高校の歴史教科書で894年の遣唐使派遣中止で知られています。平安時代の学者の家系に生まれた菅原道真は、幼少期から和歌や漢歌の才能に秀で、政治家としても出世の道を歩みました。しかし、その才能と出世が、当時の本流であった藤原一族の反感を買い、身に覚えのない罪によって九州の太宰府に左遷させられ、その地で不遇の死を遂げました。菅原道真が不遇の死を遂げた後に、災害が相次いで起こったため、人々はそれが道真の祟りだと恐れ、それらを鎮めるために天神として祀ったのが今の天満宮です。受験シーズンの今、北野天満宮は多くの受験生が訪れる学問成就のパワースポットでもあります。京都の人は天神さま、大阪の人は天神さんと呼びますがこの違いも面白いですね。

Among the cherry blossoms, fresh leaves start to stand out on the Kawazu cherry blossoms. Even such Kawazu cherry blossoms, when the night curtain falls and they are illuminated by lights, the leaves are hidden, and only the flowers stand out. At first glance, it’s a night cherry blossom scene that seems unchanged, but it is finally the last night cherry blossoms. Around the time when news of the first spring breeze has yet to arrive, the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms begin to scatter. Blooming proudly in the midst of winter and announcing the arrival of the New Year, the Kawazu cherry blossoms fall, evoking a hint of loneliness and a complex mix of feelings, hoping for another reunion. As the Kawazu cherry blossoms turn into leafy cherry trees, it marks the true beginning of the cherry blossom season. The leading role, Somei Yoshino, begins to bloom. The progress of the cherry blossom front is reported daily, and Japan is intoxicated by cherry blossoms from the heart of the city to the corners of the countryside. Cherry blossoms bloom everywhere, and on the blue tarps spread beneath them, feasts unfold. This year, many tourists from overseas will likely visit Japan to see the cherry blossoms, so the cherry blossom viewing of 2024 will likely be a diverse “hanami” gathering with people of various races.

桜の花の間に若葉が目立ち始めた河津桜。そんな河津桜も、夜の帳が下りてライトに照らし出されると、葉は見えず、花だけが浮かび上がります。一見いつもと変わらない夜桜の風景ですが、いよいよ最後の夜桜です。春一番の便りがまだ届く今頃に、早咲きの河津桜は散り始めます。冬真っ只中に咲き誇り、新春の到来を告げると散って行く河津桜に一抹の寂しさを感じるとともに、またの再会を願う気持ちが複雑に交雑します。河津桜が葉桜になる頃にはいよいよ桜シーズンの本格的幕開けです。主役のソメイヨシノが咲き始めます。桜前線の進み具合が連日報じられ、日本全国が桜に酔い痴れます。都会の真ん中から田舎の隅々まで桜が咲き乱れ、その下に敷かれたブルーシートの上では饗宴が繰り広げられます。今年は海外からも日本の桜を見る為に多くの観光客も訪れるでしょうから、2024年の花見は人種入り乱れての「お花見」になるでしょう。