Tomorrow marks the 78th anniversary of the end of the war. However, August 15th is recognized as ‘End of War Day’ only in Japan; the countries that were in conflict with Japan do not consider this day as the ‘End of War Day’. For example, the United States designates September 2nd as the day of the ‘end of war’ with Japan. On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito directly addressed the Japanese nation and the Imperial Japanese military through the ‘Jewel Voice Broadcast’ (Gyokuon-hōsō), accepting the terms of the Potsdam Declaration which outlined the post-war stance of Japan. This day marked the cessation of hostilities and the laying down of arms, as well as the temporary halt to combat operations—an ‘armistice declaration’. On September 2, 1945, the formal signing of Japan’s surrender took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, and the event was broadcast worldwide via radio commentary. President Truman at that time, after the radio broadcast of the event, delivered a speech in a nationwide radio broadcast, officially declaring September 2nd as ‘VJ (Victory over Japan) Day’, proclaiming the victorious end of World War II. As such, not only in the United States but also upon a brief glance at neighboring countries that were in conflict with Japan, it becomes clear that the perception of the ‘End of War Day’ differs from the common understanding held by the Japanese people.

明日は78回目の終戦記念日です。ただ、この８月15日を「終戦の日」とするのは日本だけで、日本と戦った国々はこの日を「終戦の日」とはしていません。例えばアメリカは、日本との「終戦の日」は９月２日と定めています。1945年8月15日は、天皇が戦争後の日本の在り方を定めたポツダム宣言の受諾を日本国民と大日本帝国軍人に「玉音放送」という形で直接語り掛けた日であり、武器を置き、敵対行為をやめるように命じたもので、戦闘状態をいったん休止する「休戦宣言」をした日です。1945年9月2日、東京湾上に浮かぶ米戦艦ミズーリ号で日本の降伏調印式行われ、その状況はラジオの実況中継で全世界に流されました。当時のトルーマン大統領は、ラジオの実況中継後、全国民向けのラジオ放送で演説で、9月2日を正式に「VJ（Victory Japan）デー」とし、第二次世界大戦を勝利で終えたことを宣言したのです。この様に、アメリカだけでなく、日本と敵対国であった周辺国をざっと見渡しても、終戦の日は実際には日本人の常識とは違っているわけです。

The famous Awa Dance from Tokushima Prefecture, known for its rhythmic chant ‘The dancers are fools, and the watchers are fools. Both are fools alike, so why not dance?’ has begun. This Bon dance is held every year from August 12th to 15th for four days. However, it has undergone significant changes over the years, to the point where it’s hard to believe it’s still a Bon dance. Alongside Akita Prefecture’s ‘Nishimonai Bon Odori’ and Gifu Prefecture’s ‘Gujo Odori,’ the ‘Awa Odori,’ one of the ‘Three Great Bon Dances of Japan,’ is a massive event that takes place over four days, involving around 100,000 dancers and attracting approximately 1.3 million attendees. It’s the largest Bon dance event in Japan.
Nowadays, not only in its original location in Tokushima but also in various regions across Japan, the Awa Odori is performed. Particularly large-scale events like the ‘Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori’ and the ‘Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori’ in southern Saitama, alongside the original Awa Odori, are referred to as the ‘Three Great Awa Odori of Japan.’ On the contrary, now, we are invited from all over the world, including Paris and New York, as part of the event, and it has developed into the “world’s Awa Odori” with local people.

「踊る阿呆に見る阿呆、同じ阿呆なら踊らにゃ損損」の有名な囃子言葉で知られる徳島県の「阿波おどり」が始まりました。毎年8月12日～15日の4日間行われる盆踊りですが、えっ、これが盆踊りと思えるくらい、昔とは様変わりしています。秋田県の「西馬音内(にしもない)盆踊」、岐阜県の「郡上(ぐじょう)踊り」と並んで「日本三大盆踊り」の一つである「阿波踊り」は、4日間で踊り子は約10万人、人出は約130万人にものぼるとされている日本最大規模の盆踊りです。今では本場徳島だけでなく、日本各地で行われていて、特に規模の大きい「東京高円寺阿波踊り」と「南越谷阿波踊り」は、本場の阿波踊りと合わせて「日本三大阿波踊り」と呼ばれています。それどころか、今では、パリ、ニューヨークを初めとする世界各地から、イベントの一環として招待され、現地の人達も交えての「世界の阿波踊り」に発展しています。

Known as a town where the original landscape of traditional Japanese rural mountain villages, characterized by thatched-roof houses, and abundant nature thrive, Miyama Town is located in the approximate center of Kyoto Prefecture, about a one-hour drive from Kyoto City. Alongside Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, Miyama Town boasts a collection of charming houses with rare thatched roofs, with 38 out of the total 50 houses in the village having these unique roofs. The oldest surviving house in the settlement was built in the 8th year of Kansei (1796). In 1993, it was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government.
Once a thriving stop on the ‘Saba Kaido (Old Highway carrying mackerel)’ road connecting towns along the Japan Sea coast, including Fukui Prefecture, to Kyoto City, Miyama Town still retains remnants of its historical roadways. The ‘Saba Kaido’ road that leads from towns along the Japan Sea coast to Kyoto City is sometimes referred to as the ‘Western Saba Kaido,’ with the route through Shiga Prefecture being known as the ‘Eastern Saba Kaido.’
In every season, visitors can encounter unique and picturesque scenes, such as cherry blossoms and wisteria in spring, fresh greenery and hydrangeas in summer, buckwheat flowers and autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter. The winter months (December to the end of February) bring heavy snowfall, which is reflected in the town’s name, ‘Miyama,’ meaning ‘deep mountains village’.

♭♯♭美山の子守歌♭♯♭

岐阜県の白川郷と並び、茅葺の里に代表される日本の農山村の原風景と豊かな自然が息づく町として知られる美山町は、京都府のほぼ中央、京都市内から車で約1時間の場所にあります。現代では珍しくなった茅葺き屋根の民家が数多く立ち並び、全50棟のうち38棟が茅葺きの屋根で、集落に現存する最も古い家屋は寛政8年(1796)に建てられたものです。平成5年(1993)に国の重要伝統的建造物群保存地区に選定されました。
福井県など日本海沿岸の町から京都市へと続く「西の鯖街道」(因みに、「東の鯖街道」は滋賀県を経由するもの) の経由地として栄え、今もかつての街道の面影を残しています。
春は桜やレンゲソウ、夏は新緑や紫陽花、秋になるとそばの花や紅葉、雪景色の冬など、どの季節に訪れてもその時期ならではの情景に出会うことができます。冬季(12月～2月末）には積雪量も多く、町名の「美山」は「深山」に由来します。

Today is ‘Mountain Day.’ I didn’t know it was a holiday. It was established in 2014 and implemented in 2016. Considering it has been implemented quite a while ago, I’m pretty easygoing too. By the way, when I looked up ‘Marine Day,’ I found out it was implemented in 1996, which means ‘Mountain Day’ was introduced 10 years later. Anyway, when I hear ‘Mountain Day,’ the first thing that comes to mind is the time I traversed from Yari-ga-take to Okuhotaka-dake. Whether you call it fearless or reckless, looking back now, it was a mountaineering expedition with death at its side. There’s a challenging section known as the ‘Daikiretto’ in between, touted as the most difficult in Japan. It was late August, with unstable weather, and unlike now, there were fewer climbers. I was on a solo journey, desperately attempting the traverse. I’m watching it on Youtube now, but I clearly remember the most difficult part of the photo, “Hida crying”, and my legs are shaking and I can’t stop. On the right side was Nagano Prefecture, on the left was Gifu Prefecture, deeply incised on both sides, and clouds billowed up from below.

今日は「山の日」。祭日であることを知りませんでした。制定されたのが2014年で、実施されたのが2016年です。随分前に実施されているのですから、呑気なものです。ついでに「海の日」を調べたら、実施されたのが1996年と言うことですから、「山の日」は10年遅れて実施されたのですね。それはともかくとして、「山の日」と聞いて一番に思い出すのは、槍ヶ岳から奥穂高岳を縦走した時のことです。怖いもの知らずと言おうか、無謀と言おうか、今から思えば、死と隣り合わせの登山行であったわけです。間には「大キレット」と言って、日本では一番という難所があります。８月も下旬で、天候も不安定、今と違って登山者の数も少なく、単独行でしたが、必死で縦走したんでしょうね。今Youtube で見ていますが、写真の一番の難所「飛騨泣き」のことははっきり覚えていて、足が震えて止まりません。右側が長野県、左側が岐阜県、両側に深く切れ込んでいて、雲が下から吹き上がってくるのです。

While avoiding the sun, as I walk beside a stream near an old traditional Japanese house, I notice tall Momiji-Aoi standing upright. The Momiji-Aoi, taller than myself, stands gracefully by the brook. Its flowers, a deep red and about 20 centimeters in size, have petals that split one by one, resembling airplane propellers. Despite its showy appearance, the flower exudes a simple and unassuming charm, enveloping me in a feeling of tranquility just by gazing at it. The flower language of the Momiji-Aoi is said to be “gentleness” and “kindness,” and this truly resonates.
There are similar flowers such as Hibiscus mutton and Hibiscus, and these are trees, but Momijiaoi is a grass. Originating from North America, it’s often referred to as the “swamp hibiscus” due to its abundant growth in marshy areas. It’s said to have been introduced to Japan in 1863, a fact that consistently reminds me of the Japanese people’s love for flowers.
The Momiji-Aoi is a day-flowering plant that opens its blossoms during the day and withers by the evening. However, even in the midst of this scorching heat, it continues to bloom one after another, carrying on its display of beauty until around September.

日を避けながら、古民家のそばを流れる小川のそばを歩いていると、背より高いモミジアオイがすっくと立っています。花は20cmはあろうかという大きさで真っ赤ですが、花びらが一枚一枚分かれていて、まるで飛行機のプロペラの様です。花姿が派手な割に朴訥とした雰囲気を持つ花で、見ているだけで包み込まれるような気分になります。モミジアオイの花言葉は「温和・優しさ」らしいですが、納得です。
よく似た花にムクゲやフヨウがありますが、これらは木ですが、モミジアオイは草です。北アメリカが原産地で、現地では、沼地に多く自生することから、沼ハイビスカス(swamp hibiscus)とも呼ばれています。日本へは1863年渡来したと言いますから、いつも思うことですが、日本人の花好きが偲ばれます。
モミジアオイは昼間に花を開き夕方には萎んでしまう一日花ですが、この酷暑の中、次から次へと花開き、９月頃まで咲き続けます。

On August 9, 1945, a single atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki claimed the lives of 73,884 people. Today is the Peace Memorial Day, a day to convey the message “Let Nagasaki be the last place of atomic bombing” to both domestic and international audiences. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima used uranium and was of a smaller size, hence it was called “Little Boy.” On the other hand, the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki utilized plutonium and due to its appearance, it was referred to as “Fat Man.” “Fat Man” was an atomic bomb with approximately 1.5 times the power of “Little Boy.” The reason Nagasaki suffered comparatively fewer casualties was attributed to its topography, as the city is surrounded by mountains that provided a barrier against the thermal rays and blast. These two atomic bombs hold historical truths that differ from the official account. Those who are interested are encouraged to explore “The True Identity of the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb as Witnessed by the Spy ‘Velasco’.“

1945年8月9日、長崎に落とされた一発の原子爆弾が、7万3884人もの命を奪いました。今日はその慰霊日であり、「長崎を最後の被爆地に」というメッセージを国内外へ発信する日です。広島に投下された原子爆弾は、ウランを用いたもので、小型であったため「リトルボーイ」 （ちび）と呼ばれ ていました。 一方長崎に投下された原子爆弾はプルトニウムを用いたもので、その容姿から「ファットマン」 （ふとっちょ）と呼ばれていました。「ファットマン」 は「リトルボーイ」の約1.5倍の威力を持つ原爆です。長崎の方が被害が少なかったのは、長崎市は山で囲まれた地形で、山によって熱線や爆風が遮断されたためといわれています。そしてこの２発の原爆には、正史とは異なる歴史事実が隠されています。関心を持たれた方は、「スパイ ”ベラスコ”が見た広島原爆の正体」をご覧下さい。

On August 5th, a Ten Thousand Lantern Festival (Mantōe) was held at Daigo-ji Temple in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. The Ten Thousand Lantern Festival is a ceremonial event held annually on the night of August 5th, where lanterns are lit to offer prayers of gratitude to ancestors, spirits, and all living beings, commemorating their lives. At dusk, numerous stone lanterns and paper lanterns are arranged along the approach to the temple, and even the national treasure main hall and five-story pagoda are specially illuminated. Originally, there was an event called “Yomairi” on the evening before the anniversary of the founder of Daigo-ji Temple, Rigen Daishi, who passed away on August 6th (874 AD). This tradition continued until the Taisho period. However, it was discontinued amidst the anti-Buddhist sentiment during the Meiji Restoration. Subsequently, the festival was revived in 1990 and has continued to evolve in accordance with the times, becoming the Ten Thousand Lantern Festival as we know it today. It has now become a symbol of Kyoto’s summer, attracting numerous visitors.

８月５日、京都市伏見区にある醍醐寺で万灯会が営まれました。万灯会は、灯明をともしてご祖先や精霊を供養し、生きとし生けるものの命に報恩感謝の祈りを捧げる法要で、毎年8月5日の夜に営まれます。日没頃から参道に並ぶ多くの置き灯ろうや提灯に日が灯され、国宝の金堂や五重塔も特別にライトアップされます。元は、醍醐寺を創建（874年）した理源大師の命日である8月6日の開山忌の前日に「夜参り」と言う行事があって、大正時代まで続いていたようです。それも明治維新の廃仏毀釈の風潮の中で途絶えてしまいました。その後、1990年に復活し、時代に合わせて形を変えて続けられてきたのが万灯会です。今では京都の夏を彩る風物詩ともなり、多くの参拝者が訪れます。

It’s so hot, I can’t bear it without an air conditioner. On my way back from the gym, I found some Jochugiku flower (pyrethrum flowers) growing along the roadside. As I contemplated using these Jochugiku flowers as the subject for a haiku, old memories came flooding back. In the past, there were no air conditioners, and as soon as we finished dinner, we would rush out of the house. Outside, there was a Shogi (floor desk) about the size of one tatami mat, where all the neighbors would gather and play shogi (Japanese chess). At that time, we used to burn Jochugiku under the floor desk, of course, as a mosquito repellent. There were plenty of Jochugiku flowers blooming in the nearby Yodogawa riverbed, and we would pick them and let them dry for several days. When we burned them, mosquitoes would stay away, and I loved the fragrance. However, over time, it was replaced by mosquito coils, air conditioners were invented, the cool evening breeze custom disappeared, and on hot summer nights, everyone started staying indoors.

暑くて暑くて、クーラー無しでは過ごそません。ジムからの帰り、道路沿いの植え込みに除虫菊を見つけました。今日はこの除虫菊を題材に俳句を作ろうとあれこれ考えている内に、昔の思い出が蘇ってきました。昔はクーラーなんてものはなく、夕食を終えるとすぐに家を出たものです。外には畳一枚分位の床机があって、近所の皆んなが集まって来て、そこでよく将棋をしました。その時に、床机の下で焚いていたのが除虫菊です。もちろん蚊除けです。近くの淀川の河川敷には除虫菊が沢山咲いていて、それを取ってきて、何日間か干しておくのです。それを焚くと、もちろん蚊は来ないし、その香りが好きでした。それがいつの間にか蚊取り線香に変わり、クーラーができて、夕涼みもなくなり、夏の暑い夜は皆んなが家に閉じ篭もる様になりました。

On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM, the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. The weather that day was clear and hot, typical of a summer morning. The atomic bomb, named “Little Boy,” was released from the American B-29 bomber Enola Gay, exploding approximately 580 meters above the Island Hospital, close to the Aioi Bridge. The detonation occurred 43 seconds after the drop, accompanied by a blinding flash.
It is said that the temperature on the surface at the hypocenter reached 3,000 to 4,000 degrees Celsius. The flash and the blast wave struck almost simultaneously, instantly destroying almost all the buildings within a radius of 500 meters from the hypocenter. Those outdoors were killed instantly, and in some places, the intense heat rays left no trace of their bodies, only shadows on stone steps, and other surfaces.
At that time, the population of Hiroshima was 350,000, and about 140,000 people lost their lives. Now, 78 years later, there are a total of 12,520 nuclear warheads in existence on Earth, possessed by countries such as the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea. We must continue to urge these foolish nations and their leaders with the plea of “No more Hirosimas!”

１９４５年（昭和４５年）８月６日午前８時１５分、広島に人類史上初の原子爆弾が投下されました。当日の天候は快晴で、今日の様な夏らしい暑さの朝でした。アメリカ軍のＢ２９型爆撃機エノラ・ゲイ号から放たれた原子爆弾「リトルボーイ」は、相生橋にほど近い島病院の上空約５８０メートルで、投下から４３秒後に閃光とともに炸裂しました。爆心地の地表の温度は3,000～4,000度に達したと言われています。閃光と爆風がほぼ同時に襲ったため、爆心地５００メートル圏内では建物のほとんどが一瞬に破壊されました。屋外にいた者は即死、場所によっては強烈な熱線により、その遺体すら残らず、石段等に影を残すのみ。当時の広島市の人口は35万人、そのうちの14万人が亡くなりました。それから78年経った今、地球上に存在する核弾頭の総数は12,520発です。保有国は、米国、ロシア、フランス、英国、中国、インド、パキスタン、イスラエル、北朝鮮です。私たちは、この愚かな国々、そしてその指導者たちに「No more Hirosimas!」を諭し続けねばなりません。

I took notice of two cute flowers blooming on the windowsill of a soba noodle shop, where I sought respite from the heat. Since I had never seen this type of flower before, I quickly took a photo with my smartphone and used Google Lens to search for it. The search result indicated it was a Mame Asagao (Morning Glory), also known as Ipomoea purpurea. It is native to North America and was reported to have naturalized near Tokyo around 1955, probably came in mixed with imported grain. Nowadays, it is quite commonly seen along roadsides in the Kanto region and beyond.
Although it is classified as a weed, echoing the words of Dr. Tomitaro Makino, “There are no plants named weeds,” the Mame Asagao right before my eyes is undoubtedly a decorative plant. Its flowers are about 2cm in size, blooming from early morning and withering before noon. However, due to its strong reproductive capability, it repeatedly flowers and bears fruit from spring to autumn, spreading rapidly if left unchecked. It particularly thrives in soybean fields and is considered an enemy even in its native land of America.

暑さ凌ぎに入ったお蕎麦屋さんの窓際に、可愛い二輪の花が咲いているのが目に留まりました。見たことがない花なので、早速スマホで写真を撮り、Google Lens で検索したら、マメアサガオとあります。北アメリカ原産で、1955年に東京近郊での帰化が報告されていますから、おそらく輸入穀物に混入して入ってきたのでしょう。現在では関東地方以西の道ばたなどにごく普通に見られるとのことです。分類では雑草ということですが、牧野富太郎博士の言葉を借りれば、「雑草という名の植物はない」の通り、今目の前にあるマメアサガオはまさしく観賞用植物です。花の大きさは2cmほどで、早朝から咲き出し、昼前までにはしぼんでしまいます。ただ、繁殖力が強いため、春～秋と長期にわたり開花・結実を繰り返すため、放置しておくとどんどん蔓延していきます。特に大豆畑に繁殖しやすく、原産地アメリカでも目の敵にされているそうです。