On March 23, the cherry blossoms in Osaka were declared to bloom.  Last year was the 19th, so it is a declaration of flowering four days late.  However, the average year is 27 days, so it’s not too late.  The declaration of flowering does not mean that the flowers are in full bloom, and it will be in full bloom around 30 days after a week.  The nearby cherry blossom trees are in just beginning to bloom, but the Hikobae of the old Yoshino cherry are in full bloom.  “Hikobae” is a twig that grows from the root of a cherry tree, and it is not good for the cherry tree itself because it drains nutrients to the outside.  Sakura is often compared to “a fool who cuts cherry blossoms, a fool who doesn’t cut plums”, but this is also a misunderstanding, and it seems that such “hikobae” and twigs should be pruned appropriately. The temperature will rise rapidly today and it will bloom all at once.

３月23日、大阪の桜開花宣言がでました。昨年が19日でしたから、４日遅れの開花宣言です。しかし、平年は27日ですから、決して遅いわけではありません。開花宣言が出たからといって花がいっぱい咲いているわけではなく、満開になるのは1週間後の30日ころです。近くの桜並木も一分咲きといったところですが、ソメイヨシノの古木には「ひこばえ」が満開です。「ひこばえ」とは、桜の木の根元から伸びている小枝のことで、養分を外に流してしまいますので、桜本体には良くありません。よく、桜は「桜を切るバカ、梅を切らぬバカ」と比喩されることがありますが、これも間違った解釈で、こうした「ひこばえ」とか、小枝は適当に剪定した方が良いようです。今日は気温もぐんぐん上がり、一気に花開くことでしょう。

Personally, the best way to eat shirasu is to dip it in a seasoning such as vinegar and soy sauce and eat it as it is.  However, it is also a good idea to sprinkle “shirasu-dried”, which is a semi-dried salted boiled product, on top of rice, or to mix it with grated radish and season it with soy sauce.  After the ban is lifted, “Spring Shirasu” is a gem of spring gourmet food.  Shirasu refers to fry such as sardines, sand lances, and eels, but the shirasu commonly found in the market tends to be fry such as sardines and anchovy.  Foods rich in protein and calcium that are softly dried are called “shirasu-dried” (Kanto-dried), and those that are dried until they become firm are called “chirimen” or “chirimen-jako” (kansai-dried). is.  Recently, from the viewpoint of protecting marine resources, there are many places where a fishing ban period is set every year from January to mid-March.  Even so, the current situation is that the catch is steadily decreasing, and Shirasu cuisine is no longer a high-class dish.

個人的には、生きたままのシラスを酢醤油など調味料にくぐらせ、そのまま食べる「踊り食い」がいちばんです。しかし、塩茹でを半乾燥品とした「しらす干し」をご飯の上に振りかけたり、大根おろしと和えて醤油で味付けしたりして食べるのも乙な物。解禁明けの「春シラス」は春のグルメの逸品です。シラスは、イワシやイカナゴ、ウナギなどの稚魚のことを指しますが、一般的に市場で見かけるシラスはマイワシやカタクチイワシなど稚魚であることが多い傾向です。タンパク質やカルシウムが豊富な食品で、やわらかめに乾燥されたのものを「しらす干し」（関東干し）、固めになるまで乾燥させたものを「ちりめん」または「ちりめんじゃこ」（関西干し）と呼んでいます。最近は、海洋資源の保護の観点から毎年1～3月中旬ごろに禁漁期間が設けられている場所も多いです。それでも漁獲量がどんどん減っているのが現状で、シラス料理はもはや高級料理になっています。

There is a “Jizouin” in Kita-ku, Kyoto, commonly known as “Tsubakidera”.  Here is a famous camellia tree where you can see flowers of various shades in one tree.  It’s called “Goshiki Yae Santsubaki”.  When the flowers are scattered, the petals of Sasanqua are scattered one by one, while the camellia is characterized by the fact that the whole flower falls off.  This “Goshiki Yae Santsubaki” is a famous camellia tree that Toyotomi Hideyoshi loved because the petals are scattered one by one even when it is scattered.  The current tree is about 120 years old and is second generation, but it is designated as a natural monument designated by the city of Kyoto. It is said that Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who succeeded Nobunaga Oda, presented a tree to commemorate the “Kitano Tea Ceremony” that was held as if he was proud of his power. This Hideyoshi’s tea ceremony, which can be attended by anyone, regardless of whether they are rich or poor, regardless of whether they are a tradesman or a peasant, is truly generous, and everyone would have thought that Tenkabito (the people who controlled Japan) who came out of the common people was different. Sen no Rikyu was in charge of this big tea ceremony, but after that, the crack between the two deepened, and Rikyu finally became seppuku.

京都市北区に通称「椿寺」と呼ばれる「地蔵院」があります。ここに、１本の木に濃淡様々な色合いの花が見られる椿の名木があります。人呼んで「五色八重散椿」。花の散り際、山茶花は花びらが一枚一枚散っていくのに対して、椿は花丸ごとポロッと落ちるのが特徴です。この「五色八重散椿」は、散り際も花びらが１枚ずつ散り美しいと、豊臣秀吉も愛した椿の名木です。現在の木は樹齢約120年の二世ですが、京都市の市指定天然記念物に指定されています。織田信長の跡を継いだ豊臣秀吉が、その権勢を誇るかの様に開いた「北野大茶会」の縁により献木したと云われています。「貴賤に寄らず、貧富に拘らず」、町人だって、百姓だって誰でも望めば参加できるという秀吉主宰のこの大茶会は、さすが太っ腹、庶民から出た天下人は違うと誰しもが思ったことでしょう。この大茶会を取り仕切ったのは千利休ですが、この後、二人の亀裂は深まり、利休は最後には切腹します。

The row of cherry blossom trees along the Nagase River is on the verge of blooming.  The red bonbori lanterns are lined up in a row, and the strips of tanka, haiku, and senryu are swaying in the wind.  Old trees that have grown older have knots, and the knots at the base have buds directly attached to them, and some of them have flowers.  Perhaps the water temperature has risen, and large carps are swimming in groups.  When I opened my smartphone, my favorite Uemura Shoen’s “春芳(Fragrance of Spring)” jumped into my eyes. Sakura is drawn conservatively beside the beautiful woman who does not need to say. It is a work with a pure and dignified female dignity.  Invited by the “Sakura Festival” written in the bonbori, it must be crowded with cherry blossom viewing visitors even tomorrow.  Now, people in wheelchairs are just approaching from the other side.  It was a day when I could feel the ripples in my heart.

長瀬川沿いの桜並木も開花寸前です。紅いぼんぼり提灯がずらっと並び、短歌や俳句、川柳が書かれた短冊が風に揺れています。樹齢を重ねた老木は節くれ立ち、根元の節くれには直に蕾が付き、花を開かせているのもあります。水温も上昇したのか、大きな鯉が群れて泳いでいます。スマホを開くと、大好きな上村松園の『春芳』が目に飛び込んできました。言わずもがなの美人の傍らにはサクラが控え目に描かれています。清らかで凛とした女性の気品が漂う一品です。ぼんぼりに書かれた「さくら祭」に誘われて、もう明日にでも花見客で賑わうに違いありません。今は、向こうから車椅子の人が近づいてくるだけ。心のさざ波を微かに感じる一日になりました。

Today is Shunbun-no-hi (the day of the spring equinox), and Higan-no-chunichi (the middle day of the equinoctial week). The representative flower of the autumn equinoctial week is “Higanbana (cluster amaryllis)”, but what is the representative flower of the spring equinoctial week?  There are various opinions, but it seems to be “Kinsenka (Calendula officinalis)”.  This ” Shunbun-no-hi” was originally renamed from the “Spring Emperor’s Festival” that was in the old law.  Spring Emperor’s Festival is one of the rituals of the Imperial Palace that is still held today, and is a grand festival of the Emperor’s family held twice a year on the spring and the autumn.  Astronomically, it is the day when the south-middle altitude (the height of the sun at noon) is 90 degrees on the equator, that is, just above the head, and it is about 55 degrees in Japan.  It is often referred to as “a day when the lengths of day and night are equal”, but in reality it seems that day is a little longer.  In this way, like the Emperor’s event, the movement of the sun has been precisely observed and of interest since ancient times.  Many Japanese holidays used to be fixed, but now they move from year to year to increase consecutive holidays.  However, the spring equinox day and autumnal equinox day have changed from ancient times to years.

今日は春分の日、お彼岸の中日でもあります。秋のお彼岸の代表的な花といえば「彼岸花」ですが、春のお彼岸を代表する花はなんでしょう。いろいろ意見はありますが、いちおう「キンセンカ」のようです。この「春分の日」はもとは旧法にあった「春季皇霊祭」から改称された日です。春季皇霊祭は、現在でも行われている宮中祭祀の一つで、毎年2回、春分の日と秋分の日(秋季皇霊祭)に行われる天皇家の大祭です。天文学的には、赤道上で南中高度(正午の太陽の高さ)が90度、つまり頭の真上にくる日で、日本では大体55度くらいです。しばしば「昼と夜の長さが等しくなる日」といわれますが、実際は昼の方が少し長いようです。この様に、天皇家もそうですが、もっと古くから太陽の動きは精密に観測され、関心が持たれてきました。日本の祝日も、以前は固定した日が多かったですが、今は連休を増やす為に年によって移動します。しかし、春分の日と秋分の日は昔から年によって変わりました。

There are cherry blossom viewing spots along the Nagase River that runs through Yao City, Osaka.  The Nagase River was formerly known as the Yamato River.  This former Yamato River is also called the Kyuhoji River, and it was a large river with a width of 200m, where Yaohama and the Kyuhoji pier are located.  A sword-tip ship came and went to the Senba along the Okawa (New-Yodo River) via Kyobashi, carrying people, rice, and timber.  It was an important river that directly connected Nara and the center of Osaka.  However, due to repeated floods, the former Yamato River was replaced on a large scale and became the current Yamato River. The current Nagase River is about 5m wide at most, and cherry blossoms and hydrangeas are planted on the banks of the river, so you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons.  Red bonbori lanterns are also hung, and when the cherry blossoms begin to bloom soon, the haiku and senryu strips sway in the wind, and you can enjoy the wind.

大阪八尾市を流れる長瀬川沿いにちょっとした花見所があります。長瀬川は、以前は大和川と呼ばれていました。この旧大和川は久宝寺川とも呼ばれ、八尾浜や久宝寺船着き場のある川幅は200ｍも有る大河でした。京橋を経て大川(新淀川)沿いにある船場まで剣先船が往来し、人や米、木材などを運んでいました。奈良と大阪の中心部を直結する重要な河川であったわけです。しかし、度重なる洪水によって、旧大和川は大規模な付替工事が行われて、現在の大和川になりました。現在の長瀬川は川幅も広い所で５m程、川岸には、桜やあじさいなどが植えられていて、四季折々の景色を楽しむことができます。紅いぼんぼり提灯も吊り下げられ、もうすぐ桜が咲き始めると俳句・川柳の短冊が風に揺らぎ、風流を堪能できます。

Koubai (The winter jasmine) is in full bloom in the sun on the mountain pass.  It’s like a solar light that illuminates the feet of people on the road.  In Chinese characters, it is written as “黄梅 (yellow plum)”, but it is not a plum, but a member of Jasmine.  However, the flowers have almost no scent.  The Chinese name is “Koubai” and the English name is “Winter Jasmine”, both of which are associated with flowering from early spring.  It is a deciduous tree native to China and seems to have entered the Edo period in Japan.  The flowering season of winter jasmine, which blooms in the cold season, is long, from late February to April.  As the name suggests, it blooms plum-like flowers with yellow petals.  There are 6 petals.  It’s small, but it’s yellow, so it’s also gorgeous.

峠道の日溜まりに薄陽を受けてくっきりと黄梅が咲いています。道ゆく人の足元を照らすソーラーライトのようです。漢字では「黄梅」と書きますがウメではなく、ジャスミンの仲間です。ただし、花に香りはほとんどありません。中国名は「迎春花」、英名は「ウインター・ジャスミン」で、どちらも早春から開花するところにちなみます。中国原産の落葉樹で、日本には江戸時代に入ってきたようです。寒い時期に咲く黄梅の花期は２月下旬から４月と長いのが特徴です。その名からわかるように、黄色い花弁の梅のような花を咲かせます。花弁は６枚。小ぶりですが、黄色いため、華やかでもあります。

There is “Izumi Recycle Environment Park” on the plateau in the eastern part of Izumi City, Osaka.  It is a reclaimed park for industrial waste landfills, and most of the equipment and materials in the park are recycled products.  Various flowers are in full bloom all year round on the vast site, and rape blossoms and plum blossoms are in full bloom from early February, and now is the best time to see them.  If you look toward the Ikomasanchi, which is far away, you will see a field of rape blossoms, and the plum blossoms are still dyed pink over there.  It is a place with a romantic atmosphere from the place name Izumi.  A long time ago, when Empress Jingu visited this area on the way to Silla, there was a sound of waves in the ground, and pure spring water sprang up overnight, so it was named “Izumi” after that.  Izumi Shikibu, a poet with a lot of love, also wrote many Tanka here.

大阪和泉市の東部の台地に「和泉リサイクル環境公園」があります。産業廃棄物の埋め立て地の再生公園で、公園内の設備や資材などはほぼリサイクル品となっています。広大な敷地には一年を通してさまざまな花が咲き誇り、2月上旬ごろから順に菜の花、梅の花が見ごろを迎え、今がちょうど見頃です。遥か向こうにある生駒山脈の方に目をやると、菜の花畑が広がり、その向こうにはまだ梅がピンク色に染まっています。和泉と言う地名からして何かロマンチックな雰囲気が漂う所です。大昔、神功皇后が新羅出兵の途中、この地を訪れたところ、地中に波音があり、一夜にして清泉が湧き出たことから、それにちなんで「和泉」と名づけられたそうです。恋多き歌人、和泉式部もこの地で多くの歌を詠みました。

The flower language of Haku-Mokuren (Yulan magnolia) is “noble heart,” “majestic,” “noble,” and “sublime.”  Mokuren (Magnolia) usually refers to Shi-Mokuren (Purple magnolia), both of which mean lotus that blooms on trees.  In addition, there are also names such as Mokuran and Gyokuran, which means orchids that bloom on trees.  The English name of  is Haku-Mokuren, Tulip white magnolia, Lily white magnolia, etc., and it is also called Compass magnolia because the tip of the flower always faces north.  As you can see, Haku-Mokuren is a flower that is attracting a lot of attention worldwide.  The major feature of Haku-Mokuren is that it blooms from March to April, and blooms in a state where it does not fully open.  When the flowers bloom, they give off a nice scent, and the appearance of many flowers blooming all over the tree looks like a lot of small white birds.

白木蓮（ハクモクレン）の花言葉は「高潔な心」、「荘厳」、「気高さ」、「崇高」です。木蓮といえば普通紫木蓮をさし、どちらも木に咲く蓮という意味です。そのほか、木に咲く蘭という意味で、木蘭とか玉蘭という呼び名もあります。白木蓮の英名では、Mulan white magnolia、Tulip white magnolia、Lily white magnoliaなどがあり、花の先端が必ず北を向くことからCompass magnolia という呼び名もあります。この様に白木蓮は世界的にもとても注目されている花です。白木蓮の花は３月から４月にかけて、全開で開花はせずに、開き切らないままの状態で咲くのが大きな特徴です。花が開花すると良い香り放ち、木全体にたくさん花が咲いた様子は、白い小鳥がたくさんとまっている様に見えます。

Hanamomo is in full bloom without waiting for the cherry blossoms to bloom.  Peach blossoms are not flowers that disperse in a blink of an eye like Yoshino cherry trees, and begin to bloom a little earlier than Yoshino cherry trees in late March to May in the spring, and continue to bloom even after Yoshino cherry trees have dissipated.  Hanamomo, which has been improved exclusively for viewing flowers, has single-flowered and double-flowered flowers, and the colors of the flowers are also gorgeous pink, white, and red.  In addition, there are many varieties, including weeping varieties and purple-tinted leaves.  Peach has been popular with Japanese people since ancient times, but ornamental Hanamomo has been improved since the beginning of the Edo period.  Since then, breeding has not progressed much, and most of the horticultural varieties currently cultivated are those produced in the Edo period.

ハナモモがサクラの開花を待たずして満開です。桃の花はソメイヨシノのように、あっという間に散ってしまう花ではなく、春3月後半~5月、ソメイヨシノよりも少し早くに咲き始め、ソメイヨシノが散ってしまったあとも咲き続けます。もっぱら花を観賞するために改良されたハナモモは一重咲き、八重咲きがあり、花の色も、艶やかなピンクや白、赤などがあります。さらに枝垂れる品種や葉が紫色を帯びたようなものまで、たくさんの品種があります。桃は太古から日本人に親しまれてきましたが、観賞用のハナモモは江戸時代に入ってから改良が進みました。その後は品種改良はあまり進んでおらず、現在栽培されている園芸品種は江戸時代に作出されたものがほとんどです。