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【さて、現代人の「終のクルマ」選択かなぁ？】


　写真は、シカ激突事故を受けて愛車「Vezel」から取りだした奈良・春日大社の「交通安全」神札。
　昨日は、事故現場の八雲町から事故車に乗って慎重運転で帰って来た疲労感を持ちつつ、HONDA店舗で事故車の「修理概算見積」など受けながら、今後の方針を検討・話合いしておりました。
　これまで乗っていたクルマはこの店舗で購入していたので、そのときに話し合っていた選択ポイントなども交え、今後のクルマ選びの方針を話し合うことが出来た次第。
　まずは物損状況について「電話通話より想像以上。よく帰られましたね」とのメーカー見解。
　で、概算見積でほぼ「修理」のレベルを超える額が示されていた。
　ユーザー側としてはメーカー販売店の見解として受け入れるのが自然。その車種の機能復元させる常識的な範囲の費用感なのでしょう。「直して乗り続ける」ことは選択から早々に外れた。
　そこで次に迫られてくるのが「次のクルマ選び」であります。
　自分でも年齢を考えれば自然と「どうすっかなぁ？」であります（笑）。ビジネス的には事業譲渡した立場として、そう活発な動きをするわけではない。わたしは「営業」的な仕事がネイティブなので活発に人脈交流を追求してきたのですが、そういう目的性はほぼ消えている。
　総走行距離計算から年間走行は約16,500kmほど。１日40-50kmがクルマの実走行距離。
　現代人は「クルマ社会人類」としての人生を生きてきた。そういう実相の数字を見返させられた次第。
　さて、そういう人類が今後とも活発に動き回れるかどうか、よくわからない高齢化の未来に対しての予測投資、というのが直面する選択かなぁと。自分事としてクルマへの判断を迫られることになった。
　「終のクルマ選び」みたいなことか？
　わたしは本州以南にもよく行きますが、そのとき降雪地域以外では燃費とETC料金を考えて軽自動車レンタカーを乗り回しています。本州の狭い道幅に大型車は不適格だと。
　とくに先人の暮らし・旅ぶりとの「会話」は軽自動車での体感がふさわしいと考えます。しかし一方、北海道地元では雪の問題もあってそうはいかない。
　・・・などなど話合い検討して、一定の結論に。
　クルマはあらたな選択購入に。それまでの時間は健脚で元気に乗り越えたい。
　さて、春日大社のお守り。ありがたみにしみじみと気付かされております（笑）。

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English version⬇

[So, I wonder if this is the “final car” choice for people today?]
I casually bought this traffic safety charm when I visited Kasuga Grand Shrine. I was reminded of its existence all over again when I was “taking it off” my car (lol). Thanks to it…

　The photo shows a “Traffic Safety” amulet from Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara that I retrieved from my beloved “Vezel” after a collision with a deer.
Yesterday, still feeling exhausted from driving back carefully in the damaged car from Yakumo Town—the site of the accident—I visited a Honda dealership to receive a “preliminary repair estimate” for the vehicle and discuss our next steps.
　Since I had purchased my previous car at this dealership, we were able to discuss my future car-selection strategy, incorporating the key considerations we’d discussed back then.
　First, regarding the extent of the property damage, the manufacturer’s assessment was, “It’s worse than I imagined from our phone call. You did well to make it back.”
　And the preliminary estimate showed a figure that was well beyond what would be considered a “repair.”
　From the customer’s perspective, it’s only natural to accept this as the manufacturer’s dealer’s assessment. It’s likely a reasonable estimate for the cost of restoring that model’s functionality to normal. The option of “fixing it and continuing to drive it” was ruled out early on.
　So, the next pressing issue is “choosing my next car.”
Given my age, I naturally find myself wondering, “What should I do?” (laughs). From a business perspective, having transferred my business operations, I’m not exactly taking very active steps. While “sales” work is second nature to me—and I’ve actively pursued networking for that purpose—that sense of purpose has all but vanished.
Based on my total mileage, my annual driving distance is about 16,500 km. My actual daily driving distance is 40–50 km.
　Modern people have lived their lives as part of a “car-dependent society.” These figures have really made me take a fresh look at that reality.
　So, I suppose the choice I’m facing is a kind of “investing in the future”—speculating on an aging society where it’s unclear whether people like us will still be able to get around actively. I’ve been forced to make a personal decision about my next car.
　Is this something like “choosing my final car”?
　I often travel south of Honshu, and when I’m outside snowy regions, I drive a kei car rental, keeping fuel economy and ETC tolls in mind. Large vehicles simply aren’t suited for Honshu’s narrow roads.
　In particular, I believe that experiencing life in a kei car is the best way to “connect” with how our ancestors lived and traveled. However, back in my hometown in Hokkaido, the snow makes that impossible.
　…After discussing and considering all these points, we’ve reached a certain conclusion.
　We’ll purchase a new car. Until then, I want to get through this time with my strong legs and plenty of energy.
　Now, about the amulet from Kasuga Grand Shrine—I’m deeply realizing just how precious it is (laughs).

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

　

Posted on 11月 7th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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【国道277号熊石から八雲IC直前でシカと衝突事故】



　いやぁ、まったく避けられないこともあるのですね、シカとの激突事故。
　昨日は道南の紅葉旅から札幌までのクルマでの帰路。結局往復で900kmほどの旅でしたが、行きが余市〜ニセコ経由で黒松内ICから道央道なので、帰りは日本海側、江差方面を走って旧・熊石から八雲ICから高速に乗るルートを走行。
　で、午後２時頃熊石から雲石峡を抜けて平地に下りて、もうすぐ八雲ICという地点で左側草むらから突然、巨体のシカが目の前に飛び出してきた（！）。
　当方は高齢者ドライバーでもありほぼ制限速度前後の50-60km/時のHONDA-Vezel車両。
　感覚的には突然左から巨体があらわれ、咄嗟にブレーキを踏んだがまったく間に合わず、巨体に対して真横に正面フロント前面側が激突して、シカは前方に横転して右側車線脇にヨコになった。幸い減速できたので前面ガラスへの激突は避けられた。当方は急ブレーキでほぼその衝突位置で緊急停止。
　衝突の瞬間の衝撃波はかなりの重量感で少なくとも体重200kgくらいの感覚だった。丸々と太った巨体。
　シカはその後立ち上がり右手の収穫後の畑地に自力で下りて行って数回こちら方向を見返しながら畑の向こう側の緑地に姿を消した。わたしは「ドラレコ」を付けていないので、写真はWEBからの参考画像。道路写真もGoogleのMapの想定現場の画像です。

　その状況からクルマの状態をチェック。左方前方の照明が破損し、前面の車両ナンバープレートも衝撃で脱落。その奥のプラ部分も飛散してしまっていた。ボンネットも一部が破損していたが、一度開けたら「締まらなくなる」ことが目視的に確認できたので、そのままにして、運転可能かどうか確認したところ、それ自体は問題ない状況。
　そこでHONDAの八雲の店舗に連絡し車両チェックしてもらうことに。カミさんと同行なので同時に保険会社に連絡し、各所と事故処理の連絡応答作業を並行させた。まぁこんな経験は初めてだったけれど、必要な処理作業のあらかたは片付けることができた。
　HONDAの店舗でチャックしてもらってエンジンなど運転走行自体には支障がないことを確認。脱落した車両ナンバープレートを応急的にビス留めしてもらい、一路札幌までの200kmを帰還することに。この時期なので午後４時前にはライトを点灯しますが、４つのフロント照明のうち１個は発光できない。
　そういう状況なので高速道路は避け一般道を走行。なかなかに注意が要求される車両状態で緊張感MAXでしたが、なんとか無事に午後６時ころ帰還することができました。
　
　ふと気付いていたのですが、保険会社としては「警察への届出」は特段必要がない、ということも確認。相手が相手なので、そういう対応とのこと。しかし、シカとの衝突事故では予測回避は不可能の場合が多いこともよくわかりました。みなさんもくれぐれもお気を付け下さい。
本日から、本格的に「事故処理・今後の対応」を進めていきたいと思います。

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English version⬇

[Accident Involving a Deer on National Route 277, Just Before the Yakumo Interchange from Kumaiishi]
A sudden, violent collision. It was clear that there was no way to avoid it. A lesson learned. The deer appeared to have survived. Its gaze as it looked back at me was striking. Now, time to handle the aftermath…

　Well, I guess there really are some things you just can’t avoid—like a head-on collision with a deer.
Yesterday, I was driving back to Sapporo from a fall foliage trip in southern Hokkaido. The round trip ended up being about 900 km. Since I’d taken the route from Yoichi to Niseko via the Kuromatsunai Interchange on the Central Hokkaido Expressway on the way there, I decided to take the route along the Sea of Japan coast toward Esashi on the way back, getting on the expressway at the Yakumo Interchange via the former Kumaiishi area.
　So, around 2:00 p.m., after passing through Kumoi Gorge from Kumoi and descending to the flatlands, just as I was about to reach the Yakumo Interchange, a massive deer suddenly leaped out right in front of me from the grassy area on the left (!).
　I’m an elderly driver, and I was in a Honda Vezel traveling at about 50–60 km/h—roughly the speed limit.
　It felt like this massive creature suddenly appeared from the left; I slammed on the brakes instinctively, but it was far too late. The front of my car collided head-on with the deer’s side, and the deer was thrown forward, rolling over and coming to rest on its side next to the right lane. Fortunately, I had managed to slow down, so a direct impact with the windshield was avoided. I came to an emergency stop almost at the exact point of impact due to the sudden braking.
　The shockwave at the moment of impact felt incredibly heavy—at least as if I were hitting something weighing 200 kg. It was a plump, massive creature.
The deer then got back on its feet and walked down on its own into a harvested field on the right, glancing back in my direction several times before disappearing into the greenery beyond the field. Since I don’t have a dashcam, the photo is a reference image from the web. The road photo is also an image from Google Maps showing the presumed scene of the incident.

　Given the situation, I checked the condition of the car. The left front headlight was broken, and the front license plate had fallen off due to the impact. The plastic parts behind it had also shattered. Part of the hood was damaged as well, but I could see just by looking that if I opened it, it “wouldn’t close again,” so I left it as is. When I checked to see if the car was drivable, it turned out to be fine on its own.
　So I contacted the Honda dealership in Yakumo to have the vehicle inspected. Since my wife was with me, I also contacted the insurance company at the same time and handled the back-and-forth communication with all parties regarding the accident settlement in parallel. Well, it was my first time dealing with something like this, but I managed to take care of most of the necessary procedures.
At the Honda dealership, they inspected the vehicle and confirmed that there were no issues with the engine or the vehicle’s drivability. They temporarily secured the detached license plate with screws, and we set off on the 200-kilometer drive back to Sapporo. Since it was this time of year, we turned on our headlights before 4:00 p.m., but one of the four headlights wasn’t working.
Given the situation, we avoided the highway and drove on regular roads. The car’s condition required a great deal of caution, so I was on edge the whole time, but we managed to return safely around 6:00 p.m.
　
　It suddenly occurred to me, and I confirmed that, from the insurance company’s perspective, there was no particular need to “report the incident to the police.” Given the nature of the other party involved, that was their recommended course of action. However, I also came to fully understand that in collisions with deer, it is often impossible to predict and avoid them. Please be very careful, everyone.
Starting today, I plan to move full steam ahead with “accident processing and next steps.”

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 11月 6th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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【残り２年間、トランプと世界の付き合い方は？】


　歴史的な大敗でしたね。
　世界を襲った物価高騰を呼んだトランプ政権の数々の打ち手が、アメリカ国内でも未曾有の物価高騰を招き、とくにガソリン価格の上昇からアメリカ国民の反感、政権への憎悪を掻き立てた。民主党が勝ったというよりもトランプ政権がまったく正統性を失ってしまった、というのが事実に近いのでしょう。
　そういう明確な民意が示された。さて、この後世界はどう展開していくのか。
　世界最強の軍事国家であり経済活動の最活性地域であるアメリカの今後の２年間は、民意を完全に失ったトランプの動向と議会勢力のバランスを注視しながら、日本など諸国は付き合って行かざるを得ない。直近では、トランプが議会とどのように付き合うのか最悪の想定もあったなかで「民主党と協力する」という発言・発信があって、当面市場も好感して株式上昇しているという。
　中間選挙でアメリカ国民の意思がここまでハッキリ示されたことで、これまでの流れにひとつの明確な「指針」が見えてきたと思う。それはこれまでトランプ政権・その理不尽と正面から向き合うしかなかったのに対して、議会の多数派・民主党の動向との「複式方程式」で今後は考えるということ。そして民主党の党内情勢も冷静に把握していく必要性があるだろう。とくに共和党は次期大統領選では、トランプへの嫌悪感の充満ぶりから考えてほぼ勝ち目がないなかで、民主党内の動向をしっかりウォッチしていくことが肝要だろう。在アメリカ大使館・外務省や既成メディアのアメリカ特派員などの取材での活躍を期待したい。
　また、従来国連という存在に対しての日本社会の過大評価観も、見直していく必要がある。トランプ政権のひとつの「可視化」実績として、こうした国際機関というものの無力ぶりとひとつ覚え的で慢性的病理としか思われない「旧敵国」への対応ぶりが誰の目にも明らかになったことが挙げられる。
　総じてこういう「臨機応変」な対応力が今後の日本に求められていくのだろう。
　世界が注視していた大きな結節点であった米中間選挙。その結果からの情勢を見つめ続けたい。

　＜写真は活火山の「恵山」山頂部分＞

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English version⬇

[How Will the World Deal with Trump Over the Next Two Years?]
A clear “NO” has been delivered to the world’s most powerful leader, who had been a big question mark. We’ll continue to keep an eye on trends in the “will of the American people.” …

　It was a historic defeat.
　The Trump administration’s numerous policies—which triggered the global surge in prices—led to an unprecedented spike in prices within the United States as well, and the rise in gasoline prices, in particular, fueled public resentment and hatred toward the administration. It would be closer to the truth to say that the Trump administration has completely lost its legitimacy rather than simply that the Democrats won.
　That clear expression of public will has been demonstrated. So, how will the world unfold from here?
　For the next two years, the United States—the world’s most powerful military nation and the region with the most dynamic economic activity—will require other countries, such as Japan, to navigate their relationship with it while closely monitoring the actions of Trump, who has completely lost the public’s trust, and the balance of power in Congress. Most recently, amid worst-case scenarios regarding how Trump would deal with Congress, he has made statements indicating he would “cooperate with the Democrats,” and for the time being, the markets have reacted positively, driving stock prices higher.
　Now that the will of the American people has been so clearly demonstrated in the midterm elections, I believe a clear “guideline” has emerged regarding the path forward. Whereas until now we had no choice but to confront the Trump administration and its unreasonable behavior head-on, we must now approach matters through a “system of equations” that takes into account the actions of the Democratic majority in Congress. Furthermore, it will be necessary to calmly assess the internal dynamics within the Democratic Party. In particular, given that the Republican Party has virtually no chance of winning the next presidential election—considering the pervasive aversion to Trump—it will be crucial for them to closely monitor developments within the Democratic Party. I look forward to seeing active reporting from the Japanese Embassy in the U.S., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and U.S. correspondents for mainstream media outlets.
　Furthermore, Japanese society’s tendency to overestimate the significance of the United Nations must also be reevaluated. One of the Trump administration’s “tangible” achievements has been to make it clear to everyone just how powerless such international organizations are, and how their approach to “former enemy nations”—which appears to be nothing more than a one-trick, chronic pathology—truly is.
　Overall, this kind of “flexible” responsiveness will likely be required of Japan going forward.
　The U.S. midterm elections were a major turning point that the world watched closely. I intend to continue monitoring the situation as it unfolds in light of those results.
　

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

　
　
　

Posted on 11月 5th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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【道南へ紅葉旅、仏像２体にこころが向く】



　しばし孫育てからの休暇の旅路に夫婦で向かっております。
　昨日、102歳の一族の最長老の叔父との会話のことを書き、多くの方から「102歳ですか〜」という驚きの声をいただきました。たしかに平均からは突出しているかも知れませんが、最近のわたしたち70-80年代も実際に平均寿命と「健康寿命」がどんどん伸びてきている。その原因として若年成長期での「栄養状態」の改善が大きいという説があると書きました。それについて読者の方から疑問の声がありましたが、自宅札幌から函館まで、およそ400km弱のゆるゆるあちこち寄り道三昧の旅路・ロングドライブ中で「論拠」的な返信ができずにいました。その意味で、お詫びいたします。で、ホテルで落ち着いて。
　わたし的にはこの説に納得しているのですが、ひとつの「説」であることは事実でしょう。
　AIの回答を借りれば、〜高齢者の寿命の伸びに成長期（幼少期〜思春期）の栄養状態の改善が大きく関与しているという説は、公衆衛生学や疫学において確実な科学的根拠があるとされる〜とのこと。根拠引用として、理化学研究所HPが紹介されている。
　専門的には「DOHaD（健康と疾患の発生起源説）」や「コホート効果（世代効果）」として世界中で研究されており、幼少期の栄養状態が数十年後の高齢期の死亡率を左右することが実証されているとのこと。（理化学研究所の論文解説などでも紹介されている通り）。
　かつて日本人に脚気が多かった時代、それを伝染病由来と捉えて対策が遅れた結果、日露戦争では（責任者として森鷗外の名も記されている）戦闘による戦死者を上回るほどの病者・死者を出したという歴史的教訓もあるとされていた。日本の学問の中に「栄養学」という概念がまだ存在していなかった時代の悲劇という認識。
　要するに「栄養学」という考え方が日本の学会に存在してこなかったのでしょう。
　この情報を知ってわたしは庶民感覚として強い興味を覚えていた。そういうことで叔父の健康ぶりを見ながら、その「枕言葉的な説」引用として書いた次第。この説をどう捉えるかは読者の皆様のご判断にお任せします。

　写真は、道南の恵山で見た観音像と、路傍にあった地蔵。
　日本人として庶民の、いのちに対しての向き合い方はこういった心象なのでしょう。高齢期になってきてごく自然にこういう心象へ近づいていく次第。とくに「路傍の地蔵」に耽溺させられます。

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[A Trip to Southern Hokkaido to Admire Houseplants; My Heart Is Drawn to Two Buddhist Statues]
I listened to a 102-year-old elder speak about “how to face life” in old age, and my understanding of nutrition and health has deepened. I pray that I may one day become a Jizo statue by the roadside. …

　My husband and I are currently on a short vacation together, taking a break from helping raise our grandchildren.
Yesterday, I wrote about a conversation I had with my uncle—the eldest member of our family at 102 years old—and received many surprised reactions from readers saying, “102 years old?!” While that may indeed be well above average, for those of us in our 70s and 80s today, both average life expectancy and “healthy life expectancy” have been steadily increasing. I wrote that one theory attributes this largely to improvements in “nutritional status” during early childhood. Some readers raised questions about this, but since I was on a long, leisurely drive from my home in Sapporo to Hakodate—a journey of just under 400 km filled with plenty of detours—I wasn’t able to provide a well-reasoned response. I apologize for that. Now that I’m settled in the hotel…
　Personally, I find this theory convincing, but it is, after all, just one “theory.”
　According to an AI response, “the theory that improvements in nutritional status during the growth period (from childhood through adolescence) play a major role in the increase in life expectancy among the elderly is considered to have solid scientific evidence in public health and epidemiology.” As a source of evidence, the RIKEN website is cited.
　From a technical standpoint, this is being researched worldwide under the terms “DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease)” and “cohort effect (generational effect),” and it has been demonstrated that nutritional status during early childhood influences mortality rates in old age decades later (as described in RIKEN’s paper commentaries and other sources).
　There is also a historical lesson from a time when beriberi was prevalent among the Japanese population: because the condition was mistakenly perceived as an infectious disease, countermeasures were delayed. As a result, during the Russo-Japanese War (with Mori Ōgai listed as one of those responsible), the number of people who fell ill or died from beriberi reportedly exceeded the number of combat-related fatalities. This is recognized as a tragedy from an era when the concept of “nutrition science” did not yet exist within Japanese academia.
　In short, the concept of “nutrition” likely did not exist within Japanese academic circles at that time.
　Upon learning this information, I felt a strong sense of curiosity from the perspective of an ordinary person. That is why, while observing my uncle’s good health, I wrote this as a reference to that “bedtime story-like theory.” I leave it to the readers to decide how to interpret this theory.

　The photos show a Kannon statue I saw at Mt. Esan in southern Hokkaido and a Jizo statue by the roadside.
　As a Japanese person, I believe this is the kind of mindset ordinary people have toward life. As I enter my later years, I find myself naturally gravitating toward this way of thinking. I am particularly captivated by the “Jizo by the roadside.”

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

　
　
　
　
　

Posted on 11月 4th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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【一統の102歳最長老から「生きた」語りを拝受】


　現代日本人は成長期での栄養状態が劇的に改善されたので、健康長寿社会が実現してきた。
　一般的にそのような理解があるし、わたし自身も自分のことをそのように認識してきたけれど、昨日もまた家系史探索のルーティンとして、次兄といっしょに一統の最長老、102歳の叔父を訪ねた。
　わたしの父の12歳年下の叔父。長年連れ添われた叔母を亡くされてからも、戸建て住宅でひとり暮らしで長寿を重ねられてこられていたが、さすがに身の回りのことが大変になって来たので、いまは高齢者施設に入居されている。先述の「日本人の健康要因」とはやや違って、大正13年生まれの叔父ですが、持って生まれた長寿体質としか思えない元気ぶり。
　次兄は、ときどき「お話を伺う」機会を設けて訪問して、叔父が好きな「喫茶店」にお連れして人生経験と、一統の生き様の「証言」を聞き続けてきている。そんなことで、次兄からバトンタッチ命令を受けているわたしも時折、いっしょに「取材」させていただいている。さすがに100歳を超えてきているのでクルマに乗せたり、いっしょに歩くときも慎重になる。
　しかし、日常生活では活発に自力で周辺を「自転車」や徒歩で逍遥されているとのこと。
　で、会話させていただくとやはり亡き父の相貌が立ち現れて仕方ない。うれしい瞬間。
　わたしと次兄の家系史探索に関して、最新の疑問点について意見を伺うのがテーマなのですが、昨日は「ひとりでいる時間の半分くらい」は、樺太での戦争体験がフラッシュバックすると語ってくれていた。それも日本軍の銃とソ連軍の最新式マシンガンとの違いによる「現場体感」。
　ひたすらうずくまって沈み込んでいた樺太の大地の体感的描写を聞いていた。顔を上げて立ち上がろうとすれば、マシンガンの銃弾が降り注いでくるので、じっとその大地に身を屈め続ける。寒冷地の土の実相をただ、みつめ、感じ続けていたという「証言」。
　平和な時代にしか生きてきていないわたしたち兄弟には、貴重な実体験の「伝承」。出征してからの２年間のことが、いま叔父の記憶のなかで常時、走馬灯になっているのだという。
　ときどきこうして伝承の機会に応えてくれていることに、深く感謝する時間でした。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
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English version⬇

[Hearing a “Vivid” Account from the Eldest Member of the Itto Group, Aged 102]
For a generation that has known only peaceful times, this is an account of experiences on the battlefield in Sakhalin. A war story of a 1,000-man unit—of which only 200 survived. The sense of time and place comes through vividly…

　Thanks to dramatic improvements in nutritional status during childhood, modern Japan has become a society characterized by health and longevity.
　That’s the general understanding, and I myself have always viewed things that way—but yesterday, as part of my routine family history research, I visited my 102-year-old uncle—the eldest member of our family—along with my second-oldest brother.
　He is my father’s uncle, 12 years his junior. Even after losing my aunt, his longtime wife, he continued to live alone in his own house and enjoyed a long life; however, as daily tasks have inevitably become too difficult for him, he now resides in a senior care facility. Although he was born in Taisho 13—which is somewhat different from the “factors contributing to Japanese health” mentioned earlier—his vitality leads me to believe he simply possesses an innate constitution for longevity.
　My second-eldest brother has been visiting him from time to time to “chat,” taking him to his favorite “coffee shop” to listen to his life experiences and his “testimony” of a consistent way of life. As a result, having been given the baton by my second-eldest brother, I, too, occasionally join him for these “interviews.” Since he’s now over 100 years old, we have to be careful when helping him into the car or walking with him.
　However, I’m told that in his daily life, he actively explores the neighborhood on his own by “bicycle” or on foot.
　And when I talk with him, my late father’s features inevitably come to mind. It’s a joyful moment.
　The purpose of our visits is to ask for his opinion on the latest questions regarding my older brother’s and my research into our family history, but yesterday he told me that “about half the time he spends alone,” he experiences flashbacks of his wartime experiences in Sakhalin. These were “firsthand experiences” stemming from the difference between the Japanese Army’s rifles and the Soviet Army’s state-of-the-art machine guns.
I listened as he described the physical sensation of crouching and sinking into the earth of Sakhalin. Whenever he tried to lift his head and stand up, machine-gun bullets would rain down on him, so he had to remain crouched on the ground. His “testimony” described how he simply stared at and continued to feel the true nature of the soil in that frigid land.
　For us brothers, who have only ever lived in times of peace, this was a precious “passing down” of firsthand experience. He told me that the two years he spent after being deployed are now constantly flashing before his eyes like a slideshow in his memory.
It was a time to express my deep gratitude that he occasionally takes the time to share these stories with us like this.

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 11月 3rd, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

【北大イチョウ並木＆恵迪寮 紅黄葉散歩】



　初雪の便りも聞かれ、クルマのタイヤも交換して、いよいよ北海道は冬支度にまっしぐら。高齢者夫婦も体調管理をしっかりして冬に備えたいところ。
　カミさんの風邪気味体調がようやく立ち直ってきたので、彼女の希望に添って「北大のイチョウ並木」散策に出掛けておりました。わたしひとりなら札幌市西区山の手のわが家から、直行直退もギリギリ可能かも知れませんが、まぁクルマで駐車場まで往復して、そこからの北大構内散歩。それでも昨日は往復で夫婦とも、北大だけで10,000歩越え。
　北大のイチョウ並木は有名で昨日は「金葉祭り」までも開催されていました。しかしわたし的には北大生のための敷地内の「恵迪寮」壁面の「紅葉」ぶりの方が数寄。
　カミさんも「紅」には一家言があるようで、毎年「う〜ん、紅がもう少しイマイチ」という厳しい評価を聞かされていますが、どうも今年は及第点の参観箇所が多い。とくにこのツタの絡まる壁面紅葉ぶりは、建築美としても非常に個性的であります。
　わが家近くにも、この恵迪寮並みにツタが絡んで四季折々、たのしい外観を見せていただけれるお宅があるのですが、恵迪寮はやはり格別かなぁと。この恵迪寮は当然ながら北大の工学部など建築系のみなさんが創意を凝らした建築。世界的にも有数のすばらしい自然環境のなかで、建築がそれと「対話」している様子を表現してくれている。この寮は、写真のような本体建築が５つの方向に放射配置されて喉元のあたりから出入りするという形状。寮建築本体は合理性最優先ながら、このような北国としての表情変化の反映する壁面緑化が、ゆたかな表情を見せてくれている。
　イチョウ並木の方は地下鉄からの距離も近いので、たくさんの海外客のみなさんがたむろされていましたが、さすがに遠距離になるこちらの恵迪寮まではほぼ来られませんね。
　でもさすがにこういう日中の野外観光スポットということで、ちょっと覗いてみた北大構内の名物コンビニ店では、驚くほどの数の「お弁当」が販売され、しかもレジにも行列用の柵も臨時に設置されていました。かき入れ時なのでしょう。
　ゆっくり楽しめた秋の一日でした。帰宅後はほぼ完全バタンキュー（笑）。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[Hokkaido University Ginkgo Avenue & Keidai Dormitory: A Walk Among the Red and Yellow Foliage]
As expected, the ginkgo avenue during the Yellow Leaf Festival was crowded with international visitors, but the dormitory building at the very end was nearly deserted. The aesthetic beauty of architecture that engages with nature…

　With reports of the first snow already coming in and our car tires changed, Hokkaido is finally in full swing preparing for winter. As an elderly couple, we want to take good care of our health and get ready for the season.
Since my wife has finally started to recover from her cold, we went for a stroll along the “Hokkaido University Ginkgo Avenue” at her request. If I were on my own, depending on the situation, I might just barely manage to go straight there and back from our home in Yamanote, Nishi Ward, Sapporo—but really, we drove to the parking lot and back, then took a walk through the Hokkaido University campus from there. Even so, yesterday, just on the round trip to Hokkaido University alone, both my wife and I walked over 10,000 steps.
　The ginkgo tree-lined avenue at Hokkaido University is certainly famous, and yesterday they were even holding the “Autumn Foliage Festival.” However, personally, I find the “autumn colors” on the walls of the “Keidai Dormitory”—located on campus for Hokkaido University students—to be even more charming.
　My wife also seems to have strong opinions about “autumn colors,” and every year I hear her harsh critique: “Hmm, the reds are still a bit lacking.” But this year, there seem to be many spots that meet her standards. In particular, the autumn colors on this ivy-entwined wall are exceptionally unique, even as a work of architectural beauty.
　There’s a house near my home that’s just as covered in ivy as the Keidi Dormitory and offers a delightful exterior view throughout the seasons, but I still think the Keidi Dormitory is in a league of its own. Naturally, this dormitory is a structure designed with great creativity by students from Hokkaido University’s Faculty of Engineering and other architecture-related programs. Set within a natural environment that ranks among the world’s finest, it beautifully expresses how the architecture “dialogues” with its surroundings. The dormitory features the main building shown in the photo arranged in a radial pattern in five directions, with entrances and exits located near the base of the structure. While the main building prioritizes functionality above all else, the green walls—which reflect the changing seasons typical of this northern region—lend it a rich and varied appearance.
The ginkgo-lined avenue is close to the subway station, so many international visitors were gathered there, but as expected, almost none of them make it all the way out here to the Keidi Dormitory, which is quite a distance away.
　However, as this is a popular daytime outdoor tourist spot, I decided to take a quick peek inside the famous convenience store on the Hokkaido University campus. To my surprise, they were selling an astonishing number of “bento boxes,” and temporary barriers had even been set up at the checkout lines to manage the crowds. I suppose it’s peak season.
　It was a leisurely and enjoyable autumn day. After returning home, I practically collapsed into bed (lol).

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 11月 2nd, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

【スマホ165分/新聞11分、メディア現状「可視化」データ】


　図は、博報堂メディア環境研究所「メディア定点調査2025」からの資料。
　メディア「接触時間」の時間配分をわかりやすく表示したもの。
　家系史探索で古文書やその集積である「地域史」資料の大森林のなかでひたすら彷徨い続けながらも、メディア関連で生きてきた自分自身の生き様を、顧みさせられる資料でした。
　やはり今の時代は巨大な「情報世界の地殻変動」真っ只中にあるのだとあらためて気付かせられる内容。
　たしかに自分自身でもちょっとした「スキマ時間」を活用出来るスマホ接触はチョー便利。で、スマホでは孫の様子を知る「みてね」が大きなメディアとして機能していて、その動画などを観ることが増えている。言ってみればメディアツールが個人生活的なレベルで活用されるようになって、求められる情報の中身がまったく一変してきてしまったということなのだろう。たしかに身近な情報伝達が主になってマスコミ要素は退潮ということか。
　世の中の動向についてはYahooのスマホアプリでチェックで、そのなかに情報提供先として、新聞メディア発信情報がある。で、こういうオールドメディアは既成の情報権威としていまや伝統芸かとも思えるような「進歩派」スタンスを取り続けている。こうしたスタンスはメディア業界と学会などで共有され続けてきた。しかしこうしたスタンスは先の学校法人・同志社トップの「不謹慎・不誠実な表情」が象徴するように反感を呼んできている。
　メディアに象徴されるこうしたスタンスは、どんどん一般庶民感覚から乖離してきている。
　新聞社の収益構造では余業である不動産業の収益が実質的に経営を支えている実態も可視化してきている。しかしその不動産は、権力機構側が一種の利益誘導として伝統的に提供してきたものであって、かれらが自分で稼ぎ出してきたものとは言い難い。
　こういう状況の進展は、もはや止めようがない段階にまで到達してきている。コンビニでも新聞メディアの落ち込みぶりは明らか。そしてオールドメディア業界からはこの趨勢を食い止める、革新性のある動きというのは一向に見えてきていない。さて、どういう未来になっていくのか？

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇
　
[165 Minutes on Smartphones / 11 Minutes on Newspapers: Data “Visualizing” the Current State of the Media]
As someone who once even considered a career in this field, it feels like a world of difference. The current situation, where the problems plaguing the media and academic circles are coming to the surface…

　The chart is based on data from Hakuhodo Media Environment Research Institute’s “Media Barometer Survey 2025.”
　It clearly illustrates the distribution of time spent “engaging with” various media.
　While I’ve been endlessly wandering through the vast forest of historical documents and “local history” archives—a collection of such documents—in my quest to trace my family history, this data made me reflect on my own life, which has been shaped by the media.
　It really made me realize once again that we are, indeed, in the midst of a massive “tectonic shift in the world of information.”
　It’s certainly true that using my smartphone to make the most of those little “spare moments” is super convenient. And on my smartphone, “Mitenne”—which lets me check in on my grandkids—functions as a major media platform, and I find myself watching its videos more and more. In a sense, this means that media tools are now being utilized at the personal, everyday level, and the nature of the information people seek has completely transformed. It certainly seems that personal communication has become the norm, while the role of mass media is on the decline.
　I check global trends using the Yahoo smartphone app, which includes news from print media as one of its information sources. These “old media” outlets continue to maintain a “progressive” stance—one that, as established authorities on information, now seems almost like a traditional art form. This stance has long been shared within the media industry and academic circles. However, as symbolized by the “insensitive and insincere expression” of the head of Doshisha University mentioned earlier, this stance has been provoking public backlash.
　This stance, epitomized by the media, is increasingly diverging from the sensibilities of ordinary people.
　It is also becoming increasingly clear that, within the revenue structure of newspaper companies, profits from the real estate business—which is essentially a sideline—are effectively propping up their operations. However, this real estate has traditionally been provided by those in power as a form of profit-sharing; it is difficult to say that the media companies have earned it on their own.
　The progression of this situation has reached a point where it can no longer be stopped. Even at convenience stores, the decline of the newspaper media is evident. Furthermore, there is no sign whatsoever of any innovative moves from the traditional media industry to halt this trend. So, what kind of future lies ahead?

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 11月 1st, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

【時空間を行き来する「家系史」でアタマは膨満（笑）】


　写真は久しぶりの札幌円山公園緑地の散歩道。札幌円山の山裾には原始の自然が、アメリカからの開拓技官たちの建言によって残されていますが、この「入口」近くになってくると北大構内とも近似した「札幌ネイティブ」な光景が迎えてくれます。好きな風景。
　ここから画面左手側の池方向に曲がっていくとオシドリやカモなどの水鳥の様子を愛でることができる。また、活発に動き回るリスたちとも遭遇することができる。いつも句読点を提供してくれる存在。
　で、タイトルのように今のわたしは「四百年間のいのちの履歴書」と名付けている家系史に没頭中。基本的に確認可能な事実を積み重ねたいと祈念しているので、大量の「地域史」文献の文字群から、血脈の痕跡を掘り出していく作業に没頭することになる。ひとつの事実が掘り出されると、それが次々と「つながって」またひとつの発見に立ち至る、という連続の中に沈殿することになるのですね。
　いまは、約310年以前の時期について、血脈が遭遇した時空間情報の「嵐」のなかで、暴風に打たれているような結界に立っている心境。
　やはりDNAの流れとして現実を生きた先人のことなので、切実に「自分事」に近い感覚に満たされてしまう。ある事実とある事実をつなぐとき、自分の内面やイキモノとしての内発性が強く刺激されるのですね。もちろん客観的につかめることが基本ではあるけれど、そこは血がどうしても騒ぐ。
　そういったハラハラドキドキが、自分のデスク環境に戻ると波瀾万丈展開するのですね（笑）。
　いや、笑い事ではなく、古文書の行間から激情が立ち上ってきてしまう。
　高齢期に立ち至ってまだ健康を維持できている多くの現代人にとって、調査でのAI活用や各種の記録文書の積層が膨大になって来ているこの時代では、興味深い新領域が広がってきている。
　・・・そういった環境から、脳味噌に「風を当てる」みたいにして散歩の風景が癒やしを与えてくれる。
　来週にはカミさんとふたたび道南を巡りたいと思っていますが、パソコンは大量データとともに同行する。現代人の環境はその「想像力」を拡張してくれることを深く実感させられますね。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[My head is spinning (lol) from this “family history” that travels through time and space]
The endpoint of my DNA’s journey—my inner self—is overflowing with the true nature of that process. An intriguing area of potential for today’s older adults. …

　The photo shows the walking path at Sapporo Maruyama Park, which I visited for the first time in a while. While the foothills of Sapporo’s Maruyama Mountain still retain their pristine natural state—preserved thanks to the recommendations of American pioneer engineers—as you approach this “entrance,” you’re greeted by a “Sapporo-native” landscape that closely resembles the campus of Hokkaido University. It’s one of my favorite views.
　If you turn toward the pond on the left side of the frame from here, you can admire waterfowl such as mandarin ducks and other ducks. You can also encounter squirrels scampering about—they’re always there to provide a bit of variety.
　So, as the title suggests, I’m currently immersed in a family history project I’ve dubbed “A 400-Year Resume of Life.” Since my goal is to build a foundation of verifiable facts, I find myself engrossed in the task of unearthing traces of my bloodline from the vast sea of text in “local history” literature. Once a single fact is unearthed, it “connects” to others one after another, leading to yet another discovery—and I find myself immersed in this continuous cycle.
　Right now, as I explore the period roughly 310 years ago, I feel as though I’m standing within a barrier, battered by a gale amidst a “storm” of spatiotemporal information where my bloodline intersected with history.
　Since these are our ancestors who lived their lives as part of the flow of DNA, I’m inevitably filled with a profound sense that this is “my own story.” When I connect one fact to another, it strongly stirs my inner self and my innate vitality as a living being. Of course, maintaining objectivity is fundamental, but my blood simply can’t help but boil.
　That sense of suspense and excitement unfolds in all sorts of dramatic ways once I return to my desk (laughs).
　No, this isn’t a laughing matter—passion really does rise up from between the lines of those ancient documents.
　For many modern people who have reached old age and are still in good health, in this era where the use of AI in research and the accumulation of various records are growing exponentially, a fascinating new frontier is opening up.
　…In such an environment, the scenery I encounter on my walks provides a soothing respite, as if “letting the breeze blow through my brain.”
　I’m hoping to tour southern Hokkaido with my wife again next week, though my computer—along with its massive amount of data—will be tagging along. It really makes me deeply appreciate how the modern environment expands our “imagination.”

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.
　
　

Posted on 10月 31st, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

【いわゆる「文学」作品市場の先行きは？】


　最近、芥川賞とかの名前を目にすることが少なくなってきた。
　たまにWEBで見かけるケースは、左翼的な受賞者人物が政権側に噛み付いている発言を左派系のメディアがキャッチフレーズ「芥川賞作家が〜」とYahooトップページでの「見出し」として利用しクリックさせるために使っていることが目に付く程度。あ、政治的主張については自由だと思いますが・・・。
　わたしは別に本をまったく読まなくなった人間ではない。むしろ、古文書などに接する機会が圧倒的に増えてほぼ沈没している一方、いわゆる「小説」に接することは非常にレアになってきた。当然の流れとして芥川賞というキャッチ自体にも反応しなくなってきた。やや悲しいけれど。
　パソコン時代になって情報伝達は紙のメディア独占状態から大きく変容、従前の「文学」を巡る社会状況もまた激変してきているのだと思う。
　紙の新聞は、Yahooトップページの見出しからの「概要」チェックで済ませ、実際の紙メディアを購入する習慣はなくなった。メディアの存在理由は「写真映像」に完全に置き換わったのだと思われる。写真画像にはその「空間から伝わってくる空気感」があり、文字情報以上の「臨場感」を特性として持っている。
　一方、文字テキストだけでの表現力では太刀打ちできない。
　日本の出版市場全体は1996年の約2.6兆円をピークに減少が続いている。最新の2025年統計では紙の出版市場がついに1975年以来初めて1兆円を割り込み9,647億円（前年比4.1%減）。書籍出回り部数でもピーク時の45%程度（約50年前と同水準）まで落ち込み、本が物理的に刷られなくなってきている。
　一方で紙を補うと期待された電子書籍もほぼマンガが独占。2025年の電子出版市場5,815億円の9割以上の5,273億円を電子コミックが占拠 。小説などの文字もの電子書籍はわずか459億円（全体の約8%）。
　そもそも書店数自体も2025年度末で全国書店数は1万店割れの9,993店、全国自治体の3割以上が書店ゼロ（無書店地帯）とのこと。
　若い頃、芥川賞発表ということに注目したことは、遠い夢のまた夢のかなたになって来た。
　小説という表現形式自体が、歴史のなかに沈殿していくのだろうか？　さて。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[What Does the Future Hold for the Market for So-Called “Literary” Works?]
Novels are finding it increasingly difficult to secure a place in our web-centric daily lives. The “postwar society” has receded far into the distance. …

　Lately, I’ve been seeing the name “Akutagawa Prize” less and less.
　The only times I occasionally come across it online are when left-leaning media pick up on remarks made by left-leaning winners who are taking a stand against the government, using catchphrases like “Akutagawa Prize-winning author…” as headlines on Yahoo’s front page to drive clicks. Oh, though I do believe people are free to express their political views…
　It’s not that I’ve stopped reading books entirely. Rather, while my exposure to historical documents and the like has increased dramatically—to the point where I’m practically drowning in them—my exposure to so-called “novels” has become extremely rare. As a natural consequence, I’ve stopped reacting to the “Akutagawa Prize” label itself. It’s a bit sad, though.
　With the advent of the computer age, the transmission of information has shifted dramatically from the monopoly of print media, and I believe the social context surrounding “literature” as we once knew it has also undergone drastic changes.
　When it comes to print newspapers, I’m content to check the “summary” from the headlines on Yahoo’s homepage; I’ve lost the habit of actually buying the physical paper. It seems the raison d’être of print media has been completely supplanted by “photographs and video.” Photographs possess a certain “atmosphere conveyed from that space” and are characterized by a “sense of presence” that goes beyond what written text alone can convey.
On the other hand, the expressive power of text alone simply can’t compete.
　Japan’s overall publishing market has been in decline since peaking at approximately 2.6 trillion yen in 1996. According to the latest statistics for 2025, the print publishing market finally fell below 1 trillion yen for the first time since 1975, reaching 964.7 billion yen (a 4.1% decrease from the previous year). The number of books in circulation has also fallen to about 45% of its peak (roughly the same level as 50 years ago), and books are increasingly no longer being physically printed.
Meanwhile, e-books—which were expected to supplement print—are almost entirely dominated by manga. In 2025, digital comics accounted for 527.3 billion yen, or more than 90% of the 581.5 billion yen digital publishing market. E-books consisting of text, such as novels, totaled a mere 45.9 billion yen (about 8% of the total).
　To begin with, the number of bookstores nationwide is expected to fall below 10,000—to 9,993—by the end of fiscal year 2025, and more than 30% of municipalities nationwide will have no bookstores at all (bookstore-free zones).
　The days when I used to look forward to the announcement of the Akutagawa Prize in my youth have receded into the distant past, a dream within a dream.
　Will the novel as a form of expression itself fade into the annals of history? Well, we’ll see.

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 10月 30th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

【遠出先での散歩道。足下しっかり凝視、むむ】


　現在の札幌市西区山の手に移転してきて以降35年間ほど、いくらかは途中休みはあったにせよ、散歩習慣を継続してきています。はじめのうちはまだ30代だったので特段健康留意という目的意識は強くはなく、周辺環境に「なじむ」ことが目的で、そのうちに歩き続けていると適度な視界の変化ぶりが楽しくなっていったと記憶しています。
　北海道の中央部・石狩平野南端部で、南側には山岳地形が迫ってきている様子が、いろいろな季節変化を伝えてきてくれるオモシロさ。健康状態では何度か入院治療なども経験していますが、そのときにも病院内の廊下などを巡り歩くことを継続していた。最近はiPhoneアプリ「ヘルスケア」で歩数を記録してくれるのでメルクマールになっているけれど、そういうチェック機能なしでも継続してきていた。
　散歩では前述のように視界の移り変わりが楽しいのだけれど、しかし他方、足下をしっかり確認することも大切。
　最近はあまり感じなくなったけれど毎日10,000歩程度歩いていると、１回くらい多少の「ふらつき」を感じた時期もあった。ふっと、右足のあとの左足の着地点確認が「あれ」と意識が薄くなる瞬間があり得たのです。
　そういうときは、その後意識を強めに足下に集中させていくことにする。
　用心として足下へのしっかり凝視も欠かせない注意ポイントになってくるのですね。
　写真は先日、孫の「ハイハイ競争参加」の抱っこ要員として同行した近郊・南幌町で定刻前のスキマ時間での散歩道のたのしい「地上絵」であります。南幌町には海は接していませんが、ここに描かれたのは遡上してくるサケの絵柄。「あ、南幌にもサケが遡上してくる川があるんだ」と伝えてくれるのです。こういう「コミュニケーション」というのもわかりやすい「地域紹介」になっているなぁと。
　遠くの景色の「ながれ」を楽しむのも有意義だけれど、しっかり「ふらつき防止」のために足下を確認するのにも、こういう視覚的たのしさを提供してくれている。まぁ、札幌市内でも全国どこでも。こういった地上絵は多く提供されていますが、高齢期の人間にはありがたいサービスだと再認識。
　彩色された石を使ったアートとしても、なかなかいいなぁと。

●お知らせ
拙書「作家と住空間」幻冬舎から電子書籍で発刊
お求めはAmazonで。
https://amzn.asia/d/eUiv9yO

English version⬇

[A walking path on a trip. Staring intently at my feet… Hmm.]
Footpath art designed to help seniors avoid stumbling. These all-weather stone sculptures are quietly delightful. Even when the path is covered in snow, there’s the joy of shoveling it away and rediscovering them all over again…

　For about 35 years since moving to Yamanote in Sapporo’s Nishi Ward—though there have been a few breaks along the way—I’ve kept up my habit of taking walks. In the beginning, I was still in my 30s, so I didn’t have a strong sense of purpose regarding health; my goal was simply to “get to know” the surrounding area. As I continued walking, I recall coming to enjoy the moderate changes in the scenery.
　Located in central Hokkaido at the southern tip of the Ishikari Plain, with mountainous terrain looming to the south, the area offers the fascinating experience of witnessing the changing seasons through these shifting vistas. Although I’ve been hospitalized several times for health reasons, I continued to walk the hospital corridors even during those stays. Lately, the “Health” app on my iPhone has been tracking my step count, so that’s become a benchmark for me, but I had been walking consistently even without that kind of tracking feature.
As mentioned earlier, I enjoy the changing scenery during my walks, but at the same time, it’s important to keep a close eye on where I’m stepping.
　Although I don’t notice it much anymore, there was a time when, walking about 10,000 steps a day, I’d occasionally feel a slight “wobble.” There were moments when, for a split second, my awareness would waver as I tried to confirm where my left foot would land after my right foot had stepped.
　When that happens, I make a point of focusing my attention more intently on the ground beneath my feet.
　As a precaution, keeping a close watch on the ground becomes an essential part of staying safe.
　The photo shows a delightful “ground painting” I spotted during a walk in Minamihoro Town, a nearby town I visited the other day to accompany my grandchild as a “carrier” for their “crawling race.” I took this picture during a spare moment before the event started. Although Minamihoro Town isn’t located by the sea, the design depicts salmon swimming upstream. It tells me, “Ah, so there’s a river in Minamihoro where salmon swim upstream, too.” I realize that this kind of “communication” serves as an easy-to-understand “introduction to the local area.”
While enjoying the “flow” of distant scenery is meaningful, these visual delights also help us keep our eyes on the ground to prevent us from stumbling. Well, whether in Sapporo or anywhere else in the country, there are many such ground art designs, and I’ve come to realize once again that they’re a welcome service for older adults.
I also think they’re quite nice as art made with colored stones.

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 10月 29th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

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