Yesterday was the evening ceremony, and today is the main ceremony, spanning two days, the grand festival known as the ‘Tenjin Festival’ is being held, adding vibrant colors to Osaka’s summer. Alongside Kyoto’s Gion Festival and Tokyo’s Kanda Festival, Osaka’s Tenjin Festival is counted among Japan’s three major festivals. Last year, some events were cut down, including the dedicatory fireworks, but this year, after four years, it has made a full-fledged comeback and is celebrating with great enthusiasm. Particularly on the night of the 25th during the main ceremony, the ‘Funatogyo’ (boat procession) takes place, with numerous boats traversing the Okawa River (formerly Yodo River), accompanied by dedicated fireworks. The Tenjin Festival is also known as the ‘Festival of Fire and Water,’ with its bonfires, lantern lights, and fireworks reflecting upon the Okawa River. Various other colorful traditional ceremonies are also performed, bringing a surge of excitement to the summer in Naniwa (Osaka). Located in Osaka’s Kita Ward, the ‘Osaka Tenmangu Shrine’ enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, revered as the god of learning, as the Tenjin deity, and is affectionately referred to as ‘Tenjin-san of Tenma’ in Osaka.

昨日は宵宮、今日は本宮と２日間にわたり、大阪の夏を彩る大祭「天神祭」が開催されます。大阪の天神祭は京都の祇園祭、東京の神田祭と合わせて日本三大祭りに数えらています。昨年は奉納花火など一部行事をカットして開催されましたが、今年は４年振りの完全復活で大いに盛り上がっています。特に、25日の本宮の夜は、大川（旧淀川）に多くの船が行き交う船渡御（ふなとぎょ）が行われ、それに合わせて奉納花火があがります。天神祭は大川に映る篝火や提灯灯り、花火など火と水の祭典とも呼ばれています。他にも多彩な伝統神事が執り行われ、浪速の夏が一気に盛り上がります。大阪府大阪市北区にある「大阪天満宮」は、学問の神様と崇められている菅原道真公を天神様として祀っていますが、大阪では“天満の天神さん”と親しまれています。

In a cool and flowing clear stream, a waterborne flower blooms resembling plum blossoms, known as “Baikamo”. It bears white flowers resembling plum blossoms from early summer to early autumn. Baikamo is a native species of Japan and thrives in cool waters, hence it is widely distributed in waterways and rivers in northern Japan. However, in western Japan, it is confined to areas with upstream or spring water. It does not grow in stagnant waters; instead, its stems can reach almost 2 meters in length along the clear streams. The optimal temperature for its growth is around 15°C, and it withers if the temperature exceeds 25°C.
The photographed Baikamo is found in the Jizogawa River in Samegai, Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture. Samegai is the 63rd post town on the Nakasenndo Road, an inland highway that stretches 534km between Tokyo Nihonbashi and Kyoto Sanjo Ohashi. Samegai has been depicted in ukiyo-e prints by the artist Hiroshige Utagawa and was already renowned for its pure waters from the Isame no Shimizu spring and the waterborne flower “Baikamo” blooming in the Jizogawa River.

冷涼で流れのある清流中に生育し、初夏から初秋にかけてウメの花のような白い花を水中につける水中花、その名を梅花藻(ばいかも)といいます。日本の固有種で、冷水を好むため、北日本では水路や河川などに広く分布しますが、西日本などでは上流や湧き水のある地域に分布域が限られています。静水では育たず、清流に沿って茎の長さは2m近くにもなり、生育適温は15℃で、25℃を超えると枯れてしまいます。写真の梅花藻は滋賀県米原市醒井の地蔵川に咲いているものです。醒井は旧中山道(東京日本橋から京都三条大橋を結ぶ全長534kmの内陸街道)の63番目の宿場町で歌川広重の浮世絵にも描かれていて、居醒の清水（いさめのしみず）から湧き出る清流、地蔵川に咲く水中花「梅花藻（ばいかも）」は当時から有名でした。

While freshwater eel during the midsummer days is delightful, the shirasu (fresh-caught baby sardines) of summer fishing are exceptional too. The newly caught shirasu, measuring about 2 to 3 centimeters in length, have a transparent silvery-white body color and an indescribable texture. However, shirasu lose their freshness quickly, and they are best eaten immediately after being caught. Most often, they are quickly salt-boiled right after being landed. The ones salt-boiled to retain about 80% moisture are called “kamaage shirasu,” while those dried to about 70% moisture become “shirasu-boshi,” and when reduced to 50% or less moisture, they are referred to as “chirimen-jako.”
Urban dwellers seldom get the chance to taste even “kamaage shirasu.” The shirasu fishing season varies by region but is generally from March to October. The peak seasons are from April to June and from August to October, with September to October being especially known for its delicious fatty shirasu.
The shirasu during this time are called “summer shirasu,” still small and with a mild taste. Some people even prefer these over the “autumn shirasu,” which comes later in the year.

土用の鰻もいいですが、夏漁のしらすも格別です。取り立てのしらすは体長2～3センチほどで、透きとおった白銀色の体色をしていて、えもいえない歯ごたえがあります。しかし、しらすは鮮度が落ちるのが早く、生しらすが食べられるのは水揚げ直後です。多くは、水揚げすると直ぐに塩茹でにします。塩茹でしたしらすで水分量8割ほどのものを「釜揚げしらす」、干して7割程度の水分量にしたものを「しらす干し」、5割以下になったものを「ちりめんじゃこ」と呼びます。 都会人には「釜揚げしらす」も滅多に口に入りません。しらす漁の時期は地方によって異なりますが、３月から10月くらいまでです。旬の時期は4～6月と8～10月で、特に9～10月の間は脂がのって美味しいといわれています。 今の時期に取れるしらすは「夏しらす」と言って、まだ小さくて、味もあっさりしていますが、「秋しらす」よりもこちらな方が好きだと言う人もいます。

This morning, I started my day with NHK Radio Taiso, which begins at 6:30 AM, just like I have been doing for many years. Especially during this time of year, the annual summer touring Radio Taiso, which started on the 20th, gives me even more energy. It’s a live broadcast from various locations across Japan, starting with introductions of each town. During the exercise, you can hear the commands of ‘1, 2, 3’ from the participants, creating a lively and immersive atmosphere for the morning Radio Taiso.
When they announce, ‘For those of you listening from overseas,’ it makes me feel a sense of solidarity that extends beyond Japan to the rest of the world. The first country to broadcast Radio Taiso was the United States, back in 1922. At that time, it was also broadcast in other countries like the Nordic countries and Germany. The original concept of Radio Taiso in Japan was based on a radio exercise program broadcast by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of America, which started airing within the United States in 1925. In Japan, it began broadcasting in 1928 as part of the celebration of Emperor Hirohito’s enthronement and has since become a national tradition.
Since then, NHK’s morning Radio Taiso has a history of over 95 years. Now, over ten million people participate in Radio Taiso every morning, and it is well-known to every citizen in Japan. Interestingly, in its birthplace, the United States, there are few people who know about Radio Taiso, and those who discover it through YouTube are amazed at its popularity in Japan. They express their desire to participate in Radio Taiso when they visit Japan.

今朝も６時30分から始まるNHKのラジオ体操で一日の始まりました。もう何年来続いている生活習慣です。とりわけ、この20日から始まった毎年恒例の夏期巡回ラジオ体操が始まると、いっそう元気が出ます。日本各地からの生放送で、各地の町の紹介から始まり、体操の途中には会場の皆んなが出す1、2、3の号令が聞こえてくると、臨場感溢れた朝のラジオ体操になります。「海外でラジオを聴いている皆さん」というアナウンスを聞くと、日本だけでなく、海外に広がる連帯感のようなものを感じます。このラジオ体操、世界で初めてラジオ体操を放送した国はアメリカで、1922年のことだそうです。その当時は、他にも北欧諸国やドイツなどの国でも放送されていたそうです。そして、今の日本のラジオ体操の原型は、アメリカのメトロポリタン生命保険会社が考案し、1925年から広告放送として米国内で放送されていたラジオ体操番組で、日本ではその番組を参考に、昭和天皇御即位を祝う御大典記念事業の一環として、1928年から放送が始まり、全国的に定着していくことになりました。爾来、95年を超える歴史を持つのがNHKの朝のラジオ体操ということになります。今では毎朝一千万人を超える人たちがラジオ体操をしていて、国民の誰もがこの体操を知っています。発祥の地アメリカでも、ラジオ体操を知る人は少なく、YouTubeで日本のラジオ体操の普及ぶりを見たアメリカ人が一様に感嘆しています。日本に行ったらラジオ体操にぜひ参加してみたいと。

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。