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。

Today is February 23rd. It is a national holiday, the “Emperor’s Birthday.” By the way, a “national holiday” is a day designated by the country’s law as a day off, while a “festival day” is a day on which religious ceremonies are performed but not necessarily a holiday. Also, it is not correct to refer to the current emperor as “Reiwa Emperor.” The same applies to the former emperor, “Heisei Emperor.” The term used for emperors, like “Showa Emperor,” is called “okurina” and is a posthumous title given to honor the virtues of a person after their death, and it cannot be used until their passing. Referring to the  emperor by two generations ago as the “Showa Emperor” is the correct expression.
Additionally, today, February 23rd, with its numerical wordplay on “223,” is also known as “Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) Day.” This year, with the easing of the pandemic, many tourists from around the world are visiting Japan. Among the places tourists wish to visit, “Mount Fuji” is always a popular choice. Mount Fuji is not only well-known globally but is also designated as a World Heritage Site. Its perfectly balanced appearance is the secret to its popularity. It’s not an exaggeration to say it is the most beautiful mountain in the world. However, opinions on what constitutes balance or beauty vary from person to person. Some may argue that the sharp pyramid shape of the Matterhorn (Switzerland), an aspirational mountain for climAdditionally, today, February 23rd, with its numerical wordplay on “223,” is also known as “Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) Day.” This year, with the easing of the pandemic, many tourists from around the world are visiting Japan. Among the places tourists wish to visit, “Mount Fuji” is always a popular bers, is the most beautiful. Others might prefer Mount Teide (Spain), an extinct volcano in the Canary Islands that offers magnificent views from its summit. If you’re Chinese, Mount Tai might be your choice, or you might choose the unexplored peak of Meili Snow Mountain (Bailey Setsuzan, Minling Kangri) in the remote Tibetan region. Still, Mount Fuji remains the best in the world. Its majestic and solid presence never fails to impress, standing as the only mountain among the world’s renowned peaks designated as a “World Heritage Site.” It has been revered in the hearts of the Japanese people as a spiritual anchor since ancient times, and no other mountain has been talked about, sung about, and depicted as much as Mount Fuji.

今日は2月23日。「天皇誕生日」の祝日です。ちなみに、「祝日」とは国の法律で定められた休日で、「祭日」は宗教的な儀式が行われる日で休日ではありません。また、今の天皇を「令和天皇」という言い方も正しくありません。今の上皇を「平成天皇」と言うのも正しくありません。「〇〇天皇」という呼び方は　諡(おくりな)と言って、「人の死後にその徳をたたえて贈る称号」で、崩御されるまでは使うことができない呼び名だからです。「昭和天皇」という言い方は正しい言い方になります。
また今日は２月２３日の数字だけをとった２２３の語呂合わせで「ふじさん（富士山）」の日でもあります。今年はコロナ明けもあって世界から多くの観光客が日本を訪れています。その観光客が行ってみたいところには必ず「富士山」が選ばれます。それほど富士山は世界に知られている世界文化遺産の山でもあります。何といってもその均整の取れた山容が人気の秘密です。世界一美しい山だといっても過言ではありません。ただ、均整がとれたとか美しいという言葉は人によって取り方は様々です。鋭いピラミッド型をした山で、登山家にとって憧れの山であるマッターホルン（スイス）を世界一に挙げる人もいれば、カナリア諸島にある休火山で、山頂からは壮大な景色を楽しめるテイデ山（スペイン）を挙げる人もいます。中国人なら泰山を挙げるかもしれませんし、チベット奥地にある未踏峰の梅里雪山（ばいりせつざん、ミンリンカンリ）を挙げるかもしれません。しかしやっぱり富士山が世界一です。どっしりと佇むその美しい姿は何度見ても圧倒されます。世界の名だたる山の中でも「世界文化遺産」に挙げられている唯一の山でもあります。日本人の心の拠り所として太古の昔から信仰され、これほど多くを語られ、歌われ、描かれてきた山はないからです。

In recent times when the seasons seem to be changing faster, even the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms have started to show their young leaves. Now well-known nationwide, Kawazu cherry blossoms can be seen in various places across the country. They begin to bloom as early as mid-January in some locations and reach their peak around mid-February. Unlike Somei Yoshino, which starts to grow leaves after the flowers fall, Kawazu cherry blossoms begin to sprout leaves from the full bloom stage. When we talk about the cherry blossom front, it usually refers to the flowering front of Somei Yoshino. According to this year’s forecast, the first flowering is expected to be on March 18th in Tokyo, followed by Fukuoka on the 19th, Nagasaki and Yokohama on the 20th. With the increasing fame of Kawazu cherry blossoms and their widespread planting throughout the country, there might be a distinction between the first cherry blossom front represented by Kawazu cherry blossoms and the second cherry blossom front represented by Somei Yoshino.

半月近くも季節の巡りが早くなった昨今、早咲きの河津桜も若葉が目立ち始めました。今ではすっかり有名になり、全国各地で河津桜が見られるようになりました。早いところでは１月中旬には咲き始め、２月中旬に見頃を迎^_^えます。ソメイヨシノは花が散り始めてから葉が出ますが、河津桜は満開の頃から葉が出始めます。桜前線と言えばソメイヨシノの開花前線を指します。今年の予想では、開花トップは東京の3月18日で、19日に福岡、20日に長崎、横浜が続くそうです。河津桜がこれだけ有名になり、全国各地にも植栽されるようになると、河津桜の開花前線が第１次桜前線、ソメイヨシノの開花前線が第２次桜前線と言う事になるかもしれません。

At the fish market, the standout presence is Kinmedai (the golden sea bream). Its vivid red hue is so striking that one wonders where such a vibrant color comes from. In reality, this color develops over time after being caught. While swimming alive in the sea, it exhibits a cherry blossom-like pink, resembling the true sea bream. Immediately after being caught, only the back turns red, with the overall body appearing silver.
Kinmedai are widely distributed worldwide, but major production areas in Japan include Shizuoka, Kanagawa, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kochi. The highest catch volume is at Shimoda Port in Shizuoka, where individually caught specimens are branded as ‘Jikinme’ or ‘Toro Kinme,’ establishing them as premium Kinmedai.
Being a deep-sea fish, Kinmedai have a rich flavor throughout the year, but their fat content peaks from December to February, enhancing their sweetness. Additionally, from June to August in the summer, the flesh tightens, offering a refreshing taste, making these months along with winter considered the prime season for Kinmedai.
Nevertheless, savoring it locally is unparalleled. Especially, thinly sliced and enjoyed with soy sauce and wasabi, Kinmedai is a culinary delight.

魚売り場でひときわ目立つのが金目鯛です。どこからこんな赤い色素が出るのかと思われる位鮮やかな赤さです。実はこれは釣り上げられたあと時間が経つとともに変色したものです。生きて海の中を泳いでいるときは真鯛のような桜色をしていて、釣り上げた直後には、背中だけが赤く、全体的には銀色をしています。金目鯛は世界中に広く分布していますが、日本の主な産地は静岡県、神奈川県、千葉県、東京都、高知県の１都４県です。水揚げ量がもっとも多いのは静岡県伊豆の下田港で、一本釣りされたものは「地金目」とか「トロ金目」と呼ばれてブランド化されており、高級金目鯛として扱われています。金目鯛は深海魚なので一年を通して脂が乗っていますが、特に冬の12月～2月の時期はいっそう脂が乗っていて甘みが増します。また、夏の6月～8月の時期は、身が引き締まり、さっぱりとした味わいがあり、冬と合わせて金目鯛の旬だといわれています。しかし何といっても地元で食べるのが一番で、特に、薄くスライスして醤油とわさびで食べる金目鯛は最高です。