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【時節到来で案件多数。こころ落ち着け生け花参観】


 写真は、先般はじめて知った友人女子が活けているという札幌地下鉄琴似駅のいけばな。
 ときどき地下鉄駅を通りすがるとき、「あ、また頑張っているかなぁ」と気になっている。ちょこちょこと変わっているので、しっかり継続しているのでしょう、エラい。芸術ではない、というのが彼女の意見なのですが、わたし的には絵画鑑賞的に楽しませてもらっています。
 で、今週からは個人企業としてのやらねばならない処理案件があるので、それへの対応が必要。
 また継続してきている家系史探究も、さまざまな協力先からの情報提供があり、その時代相別にいろいろな情報の新発掘があって、それぞれで深掘りが必要になってきています。また、あらたに構想が盛り上がってきたような企画内容もあって、高齢の脳味噌はやや萌え萌え状況。
 さらにキャリアから継続してきている公的な「役割」もことしも延長してきております。謹んで対処したいと考えますが、そうした役割のためには必要不可欠な準備もこなす必要がある。
 まぁしっかり整理整頓しながら、時間の迫っている案件から、個別に徐々に片付けていきたいと思っております。
 しかしビジネス的な領域ではIT関係について、最近の個人情報関連の「攻撃」への対応が迫られてきている現状がある。ソフトウェア的なことなので、そうした企業との技術的な内容についての対話になる。問題点の特定や、それへの対応では専門知見的な内容が当然メインの話合いになる。そうした内容を踏まえての経営的判断。
 そういった内容を検討するには、写真のような「明鏡止水」的な心理が必要なのかなぁ、と。
 はじめて「いけばな」という文化領域について教えられた結果、要するにいろいろな個別の個性をどのように関係づけながら、それぞれの特性を生かす、みたいな心象ではないのかと素人理解(笑)。
 なんですが、そういう素人理解で自分の身の回りにあれこれを考えて見ると、やはりこういう「整理整頓術」がわかりやすいのかなぁと思えております。あ、言うまでもなく素人としての生かし方。

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English version⬇

[With the season upon us, there are many projects to tackle. Let’s calm our minds and observe ikebana.]
I’ve come to believe—perhaps a bit arbitrarily—that the fundamental principle of ikebana is to strive for a mind as clear and still as a mirror or still water. Perhaps this is the mindset needed in old age to cope with life’s many challenges. …

 The photo shows the ikebana arrangement at Kotoni Station on the Sapporo Subway, created by a female friend I recently met.
 Whenever I pass by the subway station, I find myself wondering, “I wonder if she’s still working hard on it.” Since the arrangement changes little by little, she must be keeping it up consistently—that’s impressive. She says it’s not art, but personally, I enjoy looking at it as if I were appreciating a painting.
 Starting this week, I have some administrative tasks I need to handle as a sole proprietor, so I’ll have to focus on those.
 As for my ongoing family history research, I’ve been receiving information from various collaborators, and new discoveries are emerging for each historical period, so I need to dig deeper into each one. Plus, I have some project ideas that are really starting to take shape, so my aging brain is getting a bit excited.
 Furthermore, the official “role” I’ve been carrying over from my career has been extended again this year. I intend to handle these matters with the utmost care, but I also need to complete the preparations that are essential for fulfilling these roles.
Well, I plan to keep everything well organized and tackle each task individually, starting with the ones that are most time-sensitive.
However, in the business realm, particularly regarding IT, we’re currently under pressure to respond to recent “attacks” related to personal information. Since this involves software, it requires technical discussions with relevant companies. Naturally, the main focus of these discussions will be on specialized expertise—identifying issues and devising countermeasures. Management decisions will then be made based on that information.
 I wonder if examining such matters requires a mindset like the “clear mirror, still water” depicted in the photo.
 After being introduced to the cultural practice of “ikebana” for the first time, my layman’s understanding (laughs) is that it’s essentially about how to relate various individual characteristics while bringing out the best in each one.
 However, when I apply this amateur understanding to the various things around me, I find myself thinking that this kind of “organization technique” is actually quite easy to grasp. Oh, and needless to say, this is just how I, as a layperson, put it into practice.

● Announcement
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Available on Amazon.

【石狩川の源流地域・層雲峡などを逍遥】


 札幌で育った小学生たちは、わたしたち年代では修学旅行は層雲峡〜北見網走地方が定番だった。
 旭川の市街地で先日アップした神居古潭〜旭川市内の河川を見たあと、さらに石狩川の上流に向かってのバス旅行。いまから62-3年前くらいの時期なので、クラス仲間たちとの同道での旅路は、まるで「天上世界」のような輝きだった(笑)。そのなかでも層雲峡の「柱状節理」の光景は圧巻で、気絶するほどにその自然造形に打たれていた。

 柱状節理と石狩川が刻んだ風景の深淵さに驚かされていたのですね。
 層雲峡は火砕流堆積物が高温と圧力で固まった岩石が風化し、石狩川により削られてできた峡谷。特徴的な柱状節理と、その下を流れるニセイチャロマップ川(石狩川源流のひとつ)。小学校6年生という多感な時期にこういう光景を見て、深く心理に刻み込まれたものがあったように思う。
 まぁ、その受け止め方は人それぞれでしょう。わたしの場合は、地球レベルの考古に深く抱かれるような心理を持って、その後、歴史というのが大きな「数寄」領域になっていったと思える。人間の歴史を考える背景に、このような柱状節理の原風景があって、悠久の時間感覚が育って、人間の時間との対比にこころが奪われていったのかも知れない。

 この図は石狩川の流路Mapですが、わたしが育った札幌市中央区の植物園西側面の家からは、太古の樹海のはるか先に、石狩川水系の醸す水蒸気がほかとは違った雲を生起させている様子が遠望できていた。天候の加減でその雲の動きが速く動くときには、映画で衝撃を受けていた「ゴジラ」の行進のように感じられていた。
 その川の源流地域にはこういった柱状節理という気が遠くなるような自然造形があるのだ、と衝撃を受けていた。
 ・・・という少年はいま、高齢期を迎えている。そしてときどきはこうしてドライブ旅を楽しめている。不思議な人生のメリーゴーランドに乗っているような気分。いま、家系のたどって来た「歴史」を掘り起こす作業を続けてきているけれど、こういう「悠久感」からすれば、人間世界での400年間程度は、一瞬のことだろう。主体は先祖から子孫へと代わっていくけれど、こういう自然のなかで生かされているのだと強く思わされる。

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English version⬇

[Strolling Through the Upper Reaches of the Ishikari River and Sounkyo]
As we grow older, we can enjoy a merry-go-round-like sense of wonder amidst the scenery. A glimpse into the Earth’s timeless environment prompts us to reflect calmly on the nature of human life. …

 For elementary school students who grew up in Sapporo, school trips to the Sounkyo–Kitami–Abashiri region were the standard for our generation.
After visiting Kamikotan and the rivers in Asahikawa—which I posted about the other day—we took a bus trip further upstream along the Ishikari River. Since this was about 62 or 63 years ago, the journey with my classmates felt like a trip to a “heavenly realm” (laughs). Among all the sights, the “columnar jointing” at Sounkyo was particularly breathtaking; I was so struck by that natural formation that I felt as if I might faint.

 I was truly amazed by the profound beauty of the landscape carved by the columnar jointing and the Ishikari River.
 Sounkyo is a gorge formed by the weathering of rock—originally pyroclastic flow deposits solidified by high heat and pressure—which was then eroded by the Ishikari River. It features distinctive columnar jointing and the Niseicharomap River (one of the headwaters of the Ishikari River) flowing beneath it. I think seeing such a sight during the formative years of sixth grade left a deep imprint on my psyche.
 Well, I suppose everyone’s reaction to it is different. In my case, I feel that I was deeply captivated by a sense of Earth-scale archaeology, and from then on, history became a major area of my “passion.” Perhaps it was this primordial landscape of columnar jointing that served as the backdrop for my reflections on human history, fostering a sense of timelessness and captivating my heart through the contrast with the passage of human time.

 This image shows a map of the Ishikari River’s course. From the house on the west side of the Botanical Garden in Chuo Ward, Sapporo—where I grew up—I could see in the distance, far beyond the primeval forest, how the water vapor rising from the Ishikari River system was forming clouds unlike any others. On days when the weather caused those clouds to move quickly, it felt just like the march of “Godzilla,” a film that had left a deep impression on me.
 I was deeply impressed to learn that the river’s headwaters contained such mind-boggling natural formations as columnar jointing.
…That boy is now entering his golden years. And every now and then, I get to enjoy road trips like this. It feels as if I’m riding a mysterious merry-go-round of life. I’ve been working on unearthing the “history” of my family lineage, but given this sense of “eternity,” 400 years in the human world must be but a fleeting moment. While the protagonists shift from ancestors to descendants, I’m strongly reminded that we are sustained by nature like this.

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

 

【大地震アラート「誤報と釈明」〜国家システムの危機か?】


 昨日はみなさん、唖然としていたと思います。わたしも同様。
 緊急のアラート音がスマホから聞こえてきて、これまでの体験でいちばん記憶している2018年9月6日03時07分、北海道の胆振地方中東部を震源とする地震を想起していた。 
 あのときは真夜中で寝ぼけたアタマで緊急警報に起こされ室内で揺れを感じさせられていた。札幌のわが家周辺は震度5程度だったけれど「あ、これで・・・」と一瞬思ったほどだった。幸い、わが家では特段の被害はなかったけれど、市内各所で被害が出ていた。
 ・・・あれくらいは来るのかもと身構え、推移を注視していた。カミさんはテレビを点けたが民放局だったので「NHKにしてね」と注文して見ていた。当初は「千島列島」という発表だったので、そういう×印が画面の地図に表記されて、アナウンサーと「解説役」が画面に映っていた。しかし、一向に揺れが来る気配がない。おいおいであります。しかし、まさかすぐに緊急体制を解くワケにもいかない。時間だけが経っていった。
 そうしたらまた、スマホからの緊急アラート。「・・・揺れに注意してください」みたいなアナウンス。
 しかし、テレビ画面では「警報が解除された」というアナウンス。「え?いま再度の緊急警報があったのに?」という疑問の追い打ち。あとで知ったが、警報が解除されるお知らせも、緊急アラートと同じように驚くような音声として流れてくるのだという情報だった。
 たしかに緊急アラートからの「解除警告」というのは聞いたことがなかったので、後者のアラートというのは初めて知ったことになる。
 ふ〜む。みなさん、まぁ地震も来なかったのだからまぁいいか、と思われたことでしょう。同意。
 しかし、その後の気象庁の「お詫び・説明」がなんとも釈然としなかった。そういう声が多かったと見えて、その後追加で会見が行われていたとのこと。中央省庁が2回も会見に追い込まれること自体、前代未聞。
 そしてその説明はふたたび「チンプンカンプン」。
 ひたすら20年前に導入したという予報システムの細部についての意味不明の「釈明」を行っていて、国民がふつうに知りたい説明としてはまったく用をなしていなかった。
 どうもわたしには、むしろ国家システム「不具合」の表面化と感じられてならなかった。むむむ。

 <写真は記事とは無関係の神居古潭です。地震関連ではありません。念のため>

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English version⬇

[Major Earthquake Alert: “False Alarm and Explanation” — Is the National System in Crisis?]
Although an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 1 was recorded in Hakodate, I can’t help but wonder if the real problem lies in the structure of the national system, which seems to cause issues with information management. …

 I think everyone was stunned yesterday. I was, too.
 When the emergency alert sounded on my smartphone, it reminded me of the earthquake that occurred on September 6, 2018, at 3:07 a.m.—the one I remember most vividly from my past experiences—with its epicenter in the central-eastern part of Hokkaido’s Iburi region. 
 Back then, it was the middle of the night, and I was woken up by the emergency alert while still half-asleep, feeling the shaking inside my room. The seismic intensity around my home in Sapporo was about 6, but for a split second, I thought, “Oh, so this is it…” Fortunately, there was no significant damage to my house, but damage was reported in various parts of the city.
 …Bracing myself for the possibility that something of that magnitude might happen, I kept a close eye on the situation. My wife turned on the TV, but since it was a commercial station, I told her, “Switch to NHK,” and watched that instead. Initially, the announcement mentioned the “Kuril Islands,” so a cross mark indicating that area appeared on the map on the screen, and the anchor and a “commentator” were shown on the screen. However, there was absolutely no sign of any shaking. I was getting impatient. But of course, they couldn’t just lift the emergency alert right away. Time just kept passing.
Then, another emergency alert came through my smartphone—an announcement along the lines of, “…Please be aware of shaking.”
 But on the TV screen, there was an announcement saying, “The alert has been lifted.” This only added to my confusion: “Huh? But didn’t we just get another emergency alert?” I found out later that the notification that the alert had been lifted is also broadcast with the same startling audio as the emergency alert itself.
 I’d certainly never heard of a “cancellation alert” following an emergency alert, so this was the first time I’d learned about that second type of alert.
 Hmm. I’m sure many of you thought, “Well, since no earthquake actually happened, I guess it’s all right.” I agree.
 However, the Japan Meteorological Agency’s subsequent “apology and explanation” was utterly unconvincing. Apparently, there were many such complaints, and an additional press conference was held afterward. The fact that a central government agency was forced to hold two press conferences is unprecedented.
 And that explanation was once again “utterly incomprehensible.”
 They spent the entire time offering incomprehensible “explanations” about the minutiae of a forecasting system supposedly introduced 20 years ago—which served absolutely no purpose in terms of the kind of explanation the public actually wants to hear.
To me, it felt more like a “malfunction” in the national system coming to the surface. Hmm.

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

【JR旭川駅、都市環境と自然のコントラスト】



 ひとりだけであちこち「探訪」主体の行脚を重ねるときは、高齢化とともに早寝早起きスタイルに適合でき、主目的に完全にアジャストする「寝られればどこでも」がわたしの選択基準。
 一方で夫婦での旅では、宿泊先選択はカミさんの専権事項。わたしはボーッとして従順に隷属。
 今回は旭川駅直結のAEONモールの上階のホテル選択でした。
 で、はじめて宿泊したのでそこにたどり着く「道順」はまったくわからなかった。とくに市の中心そのものの駅直結ということなのでそこに到達してからでなければ、事前では説明会話はほぼムダ。たぶん1回行ってみなければわからないのだろうなと思っていましたが、まさにその通り。逆に1回たどり着くとその便利性は、チョーわかりやすかった。体感と表現の乖離とでも言えるのかなぁ。
 で、この旭川の駅周辺環境自体はわたしは何度か来ていて、実感していたので、2日間とも早朝には、カミさんを連れ立って駅の南側の忠別川河畔の緑地帯を楽しく散策しておりました。
 駅の建物までの先端的な「都市」環境から一歩、忠別川側に出るとそこは一気に初源的な河川の流路が自然の活力を伝えてくる自然環境。なかなかにコントラストが効いていて楽しい環境。たぶん、安楽な都市環境からすぐに「スイッチ変換」できるスポットなのですね。やはりというか、案の定というか、都市景観賞を獲得しているようで、北海道民としては喜ばしいなぁと思っていました。
 21世紀の現代的な地方都市としての生き残り、生存戦略としてなかなか有効な環境作りかなぁと。
 しかしこれまでの「買い物公園通り」は、このAEONモールの利便性に太刀打ちするのは難しいようで、各店舗はけっこうシャッター街化していた。こういう現実はどうしても必然なのでしょうね。地域の生き残り戦略として、その象徴的な「街の変容」を感じさせられていました。
 そういった変化の過程ですが、しかし自然とすぐにアクセス出来る都市環境、というコンセプトはやはり北海道の都市が獲得しやすいポイントだと思える。北海道という地域がこれからも「自然」の魅力を最大化させながら生き延びて行くには、ひとつの象徴的事例かと感じておりました。
 しかしJR駅構内はイマイチ活用し切れていないようにも思えた。先日の札幌駅北口側通路にも感じた内容。都市環境の生き残り策、興味深いですね。

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English version⬇

[JR Asahikawa Station: The Contrast Between the Urban Environment and Nature]
The “survival” strategies of regional cities in Hokkaido are quite interesting. The interplay between the natural environment—where rivers in the north converge—and the convenience and urban character of the city is fascinating. …

 When I’m traveling alone on a series of trips focused on “exploring” various places, my choice is guided by the principle that “anywhere I can sleep is fine”—a philosophy that fits well with my aging body’s need for early to bed, early to rise routine and aligns perfectly with my main objective.
On the other hand, when traveling as a couple, choosing where to stay is entirely my wife’s domain. I just zone out and obediently go along with it.
This time, she chose a hotel on the upper floors of the AEON Mall, which is directly connected to Asahikawa Station.
 Since it was our first time staying there, I had absolutely no idea how to get there. Especially since it’s directly connected to the station—which is right in the heart of the city—any attempt to explain the route beforehand was practically pointless; it wouldn’t make sense until we actually arrived. I figured I’d probably have to go there once to figure it out, and that’s exactly how it turned out. On the flip side, once I actually made it there, the convenience of the location became crystal clear. I guess you could call it a disconnect between experience and description.
 Anyway, since I’d been to the area around Asahikawa Station several times before and was already familiar with it, both mornings I took my wife for a pleasant stroll along the greenbelt by the Chubetsu River on the south side of the station.
Just one step away from the cutting-edge “urban” environment of the station building, stepping out toward the Chubetsu River, you’re suddenly immersed in a natural setting where the river’s pristine course radiates the vitality of nature. It’s a delightful environment with quite a striking contrast. I suppose it’s the kind of spot where you can instantly “flip the switch” from a comfortable urban setting. As expected—or perhaps unsurprisingly—it seems to have won an Urban Landscape Award, which I found quite gratifying as a resident of Hokkaido.
 I think this kind of environmental design is quite effective as a survival strategy for a modern regional city in the 21st century.
 However, the former “Shopping Park Avenue” seems to have a hard time competing with the convenience of this AEON Mall, and many of the shops there had become shuttered. I suppose this reality is simply inevitable. As a survival strategy for the region, I could really sense that symbolic “transformation of the town.”
 Amid this process of change, I still believe that the concept of an urban environment offering immediate access to nature is an advantage that cities in Hokkaido are particularly well-suited to achieve. I felt this was a symbolic example of how the Hokkaido region can continue to survive while maximizing the appeal of its “nature.”
 However, it also seemed to me that the space inside the JR station wasn’t being fully utilized. I had a similar impression regarding the passageway on the north side of Sapporo Station the other day. Survival strategies for urban environments are truly fascinating.

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

【倉本聰さんのご冥福祈願。富良野にて合掌】


 きのうは今回の旅路の最終目的の富良野へ。先般9/18に世を去られた倉本聰さんにお別れのご挨拶をしてきました。
 わたしは住宅雑誌発行者であった2011年前後に、2回ほど倉本聰さんに取材してインタビューを行っていました。1回は知友の住宅建築会社の「単行本」の対談企画のコーディネートとして、そしてもう1回は、わたし自身がインタビュアーになって、いわば「倉本聰の住宅体験論」をヒアリングしていたのです。
 この時期は、北海道からスタートした住宅雑誌の「関東版」発刊時期に当たっていて、インタビューは「関東版3号目」に掲載していた。しかし、その直後2011年3/11に東日本大震災が発生して、まったく行動制限が掛かってしまい、関東版は休止のやむなきに至り、また、東日本大震災で大きな被害を受けた東北地域の住宅再建施策の広報誌として「東北の住まい再生」というボランティア雑誌に注力していくことになっていた。
 そういう激動時期だったので、倉本聰さんとのご縁はそこで凍結された状態になっていた。
 人間の人生というものはオモシロいもので、その時点の激変で自分自身の、ある「志向性」は封印されて、ひたすら東北の震災復興に少しでも役立ちたいという出版事業取り組みに向かって行っていた。

 この写真は、Replan関東版2011/冬春号誌面に掲載された倉本さんとインタビュアーのわたしのツーショット。
 この掲載雑誌もいまはほぼ部数が限られてしまっている。
 そしてなおわたし自身も、今回の富良野訪問での「ごあいさつ」まで、こういう倉本聰さんとの住宅論議をまったく忘却しきってしまっていた(泣)。室外に置かれた遺影にご挨拶したとき、一陣の風に巻き上げられましたが「おお、あの話のつづき、どうするのよ?オレ住宅建築、好きだから、つづきをやれよ!」みたいな氏からの声掛けを感じた(笑)。
 このインタビュー時点で倉本聰さんは76歳ほどの年齢。会場は氏のご自宅にうかがってさせていただいていた。そして高齢期の自邸についてのキーポイントのようなお話も聞き込んでいたのです。
 稀有な現代の表現者としての氏とのやり取りの記録。そこをしっかり「掘り込んで」置くべきだと思っています。
 どうも今回の旅路は、世を去った人たちとの邂逅の機会だったのかも・・・。

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English version⬇

[Praying for the repose of Satoshi Kuramoto’s soul. Hands clasped in prayer in Furano]
“I love residential architecture, so hurry up and publish the next installment!” The voice of the late artist reached me on a gust of wind. It is the duty of the living…

 Yesterday, I traveled to Furano, the final destination of this trip. I went there to pay my respects to Satoshi Kuramoto, who passed away on September 18.
Around 2011, when I was the publisher of a home design magazine, I interviewed Satoshi Kuramoto on two occasions. On one occasion, I served as the coordinator for a dialogue feature in a “book” published by a housing construction company run by a friend; on the other, I acted as the interviewer myself, gathering his insights on what might be called “Satoshi Kuramoto’s Theory of Housing Experiences.”
 This period coincided with the launch of the “Kanto Edition” of the housing magazine, which had originated in Hokkaido, and the interview was published in the “Kanto Edition, Issue No. 3.” However, immediately afterward, on March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, imposing severe restrictions on movement. This left us with no choice but to suspend the Kanto Edition, and we shifted our focus to a volunteer-run magazine titled “Tohoku Housing Reconstruction,” which served as a public relations publication for housing reconstruction initiatives in the Tohoku region—an area that had suffered extensive damage from the earthquake.
 Given the turbulent nature of that period, my connection with Satoshi Kuramoto was effectively put on hold.
 Life is a curious thing; due to the drastic changes at that time, a certain “orientation” within me was put on hold, and I devoted myself entirely to publishing efforts aimed at contributing, even in a small way, to the reconstruction of Tohoku following the disaster.

 This photo is a two-shot of Mr. Kuramoto and me, the interviewer, that appeared in the Winter/Spring 2011 issue of Replan Kanto.
 Even this magazine is now available in very limited quantities.
 And I, for one, had completely forgotten about these discussions on housing with Satoshi Kuramoto—right up until my “greeting” during this visit to Furano (sob). When I paid my respects to his portrait placed outdoors, a gust of wind blew it away, but I felt as if he were calling out to me: “Hey, what are you going to do about the rest of that conversation? I love residential architecture, so let’s continue it!” (laughs).
 At the time of this interview, Satoshi Kuramoto was about 76 years old. The interview took place at his home, where I had the privilege of visiting. I also listened intently as he shared key insights about his own home during his later years.
 This is a record of my exchanges with him as a rare contemporary artist. I believe we should thoroughly “delve into” and preserve this record.
It seems this journey may have been an opportunity to encounter those who have passed away…

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

【明治41年頃、祖父・林業挑戦の地「美深」へタイムトラベル】




 さて今回の道北旅でのわたし的目的地への「家系史時間差旅」扁であります。
 人間のいきる中では常に成功するばかりではない。さまざまな試行錯誤が当然に生起する。失敗から学ぶということは絶対に避けて通ることのできないことだろう。いやむしろ、その意図と、結果の事実から孫子の世代としては、貴重な「教訓」を学び取っていくことが、最大の「供養」になるのだと思う。
 祖父は「仏壇を背負って」家系の「当主」として、温暖な瀬戸内海に面した福山市周辺の故地から、1905(明治38)年に北海道に渡って来ている。次男三男層の多かった北海道開拓者たちとは違った「目的」を持って渡道してきている。
 当時の福山市松永周辺では、江戸期から続いていた「塩田」ビジネスによって大量の製塩用加熱木材資源が全国から、さらに海外からも尾道港を経由してもたらされていた。この木材集積に着目した履物商の丸山茂助(まるやま もすけ)は、それまで桐材しか使われていなかった下駄の素材として「どんな樹種でも使う」という生産革命・機械化ビジネスで脚光を浴びていた。全国の下駄の6割以上を生産するビッグビジネスに成長させていたのだ。
 そういう「地元経済」の動向を踏まえて、当時開拓入植が進んでいた北海道の最北部の山林資源に注目して、地域の物流の主力である河川としての天塩川を流下させて天塩の港から環日本海交易路に材を乗せて、地元・福山市松永に下駄の原材料を供給しようと企図したと考えられるのだ。
 いまでも美深の面積で86%が山林であり、そして天塩川は地域の大動脈として流れている。
 故地・福山周辺で伯父の一統が「時安」という山林資源の豊富な山間地域経済に関わって生活していた縁を頼って、地域の山林ビジネスを覚え込み、それをもって道北・美深の地にチャレンジをしたワケだ。
 ビジネスとしての企図、事業構想には十分な合理性があったように思える。
 一方で、ではどうしてそれが失敗してしまったのか、具体的なプロセスを解明することが、子孫としては絶対に大きな教訓になっていくと思えるのだ。
 ・・・ということでの、解明の思索、多くの「現場体験」的に直感的な手掛かりが得られた。
 その地理空間性が、非常に多くの「証言」を伝えてきてくれると実感させられた次第。思考を熟成させたいと深く思い至らされる。写真は手掛かり群・・・。

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English version⬇

[Around Meiji 41: A Journey Back in Time to “Bifuka,” Where My Grandfather Took on the Challenge of Forestry]
By confronting my grandfather’s unfulfilled legacy, this experience conveys profound lessons to future generations from that very place and time. The deep meaning of time travel…

 Now, this post is about my “time-shifted family history journey” to my personal destination during this trip to Northern Hokkaido.
Life isn’t always a series of successes. It’s only natural to go through various trials and errors. Learning from failure is something we absolutely cannot avoid. In fact, I believe that for us, the descendants, the greatest way to honor our ancestors is to draw valuable “lessons” from their intentions and the actual outcomes of their actions.
 My grandfather, “carrying the family altar on his back” as the “head of the family,” crossed over to Hokkaido in 1905 (Meiji 38) from his ancestral home near Fukuyama City, which faces the warm Seto Inland Sea. He came to Hokkaido with a “purpose” distinct from that of the many second and third sons who were among the Hokkaido pioneers.
 At that time, in the Matsunaga area of Fukuyama City, the “salt field” business—which had continued since the Edo period—brought in vast quantities of firewood for salt production from all over Japan and even from overseas via the Port of Onomichi. Mosuke Maruyama, a footwear merchant who recognized this concentration of timber, gained prominence through a production revolution and mechanization initiative that involved “using any tree species” as material for geta—a type of wooden sandal that had previously been made exclusively from paulownia wood. He grew this into a major business that produced more than 60 percent of the nation’s geta.
 Given these trends in the “local economy,” it is believed that he turned his attention to the forest resources in the northernmost part of Hokkaido—where settlement and development were progressing at the time—and devised a plan to transport the timber down the Teshio River, the region’s main logistics artery, to the port of Teshio. From there, the timber would be shipped along the Sea of Japan trade route to supply raw materials for geta production in his hometown of Matsunaga, Fukuyama City.
 Even today, 86 percent of Bifuka’s land area consists of forests, and the Teshio River continues to flow as the region’s lifeline.
Relying on the connection that his uncle’s family had established in his hometown of Fukuyama—where they were involved in the economy of a mountainous region rich in forest resources known as “Tokiyasu”—he learned the ins and outs of the local forestry business and used that knowledge to take on the challenge of settling in Bifuka, in northern Hokkaido.
 It seems his business plans and vision were entirely reasonable.
On the other hand, as a descendant, I believe that uncovering the specific process of why it ultimately failed will undoubtedly serve as a major lesson.
 …With that in mind, as I reflected on this quest for understanding, I gained many intuitive clues through “hands-on experience.”
 I came to realize that this geographical context has provided a wealth of “testimonies.” It has deeply inspired me to let my thoughts mature further. The photos represent a collection of these clues…

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

【いけね! データHDD忘れもの。旅の恥は〜】



 昨日書いたように、10/12早朝から札幌を出て、旅路についております。
 宿泊は旭川の街の中のホテルなのですが、わたしたち夫婦の「数寄」で、北海道内でも屈指の思い出の風景地・三国峠を目指したのです。昨日の総走行距離は450kmほどという長距離運転旅。
 しかしそれでも、1日の「歩数」はわたしは10,000歩を超えカミさんも15,000くらいになっていた。(これは旭川到着後、便利な立地なので買い物行脚しすぎ(笑)の結果。)
 写真は、三国峠からのビューであります。ことしはすっかり紅葉は終わってしまっていましたが、相変わらずの巨視ビューポイントぶり。また、十勝の方からだんだんと上がっていく高度の途次にもたくさんのビューポイントがあるのです。毎年来ているのですが、昨年まではそれほどインバウンド系のみなさんは見かけなかったのですが、さすがにことしはたくさんのアジア系・欧米系のみなさんの姿が見られました。
 日本の観光資源が調べ尽くされて、円安環境のもと、こういう秘境ポイントも注目されてきている。
 で、わたしは久しぶりの長距離運転。どうかなぁと一抹の気がかりもあったのですが最終のホテルまでしっかりと安全運転を継続することができておりました(どやぁ)。まぁ加齢と共に安全運転度が向上して、ほぼ制限速度以内に留まって、後続車が「急ぎ気味」の場合には、適当な停車ポイントを見つけては駐車灯を点灯させて、大いに追い越し・パスをお願いしたりしての運転であります。
 ドライブ心理としては、せっかくの自然環境を愛でるのに、ゆっくり楽しみたいというもの。
 高齢者らしく「ながくお世話になっている自然環境に感謝」という思い一択なのでしょうか。
 ということで、夫婦で楽しく語らいつつ、ホテルにたどりついたのですが、そこでMacの周辺環境、ほとんどのデータ類が入っている外部HDDを忘れていたことに気付いてしまった(泣)。ありゃりゃ。
 執筆中のデータもない。う〜むであります。運転は順調だったけれどもの忘れという「加齢現象」が順調に(笑)襲ってきてしまった。
 旅の恥、でありますが「書き捨て」はせず、「毎日更新」はしっかり継続して、執筆は日延べして準備作業を重ねたいと思います。予定は2泊3日。どうぞよろしく。
 

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English version⬇

[Oops! I left my data HDD behind. Better to be safe than sorry…]
I was so focused on getting ready for the long drive that I accidentally left something behind in my PC workspace. Oh well. I’ll just make the best of it and have a fun, meaningful trip within the limits of what I can do…

 As I wrote yesterday, we left Sapporo early in the morning on October 12 and are currently on our journey.
 Although we’re staying at a hotel in downtown Asahikawa, my wife and I—driven by our shared passion—set out for Mikuni Pass, one of Hokkaido’s most memorable scenic spots. Yesterday’s total driving distance was about 450 km—a long road trip.
 Even so, my “step count” for the day exceeded 10,000, and my wife’s was around 15,000. (This was the result of us going on too many shopping sprees after arriving in Asahikawa, thanks to its convenient location (lol).)
 The photo shows the view from Mikuni Pass. Although the autumn foliage had completely faded this year, it still offered its usual spectacular panoramic view. There are also plenty of scenic viewpoints along the route as you gradually climb in elevation from the Tokachi region. I’ve been coming here every year, and while I didn’t see many international tourists until last year, this year I definitely noticed a lot of Asian and Western visitors.
 With Japan’s tourist attractions having been thoroughly explored and the yen remaining weak, even these hidden gems are starting to attract attention.
 As for me, it had been a while since I’d driven such a long distance. I had a slight worry about how it would go, but I managed to drive safely all the way to our final hotel (take that!). Well, as I’ve gotten older, my safe driving habits have improved—I mostly stay within the speed limit, and when the car behind me seems “in a hurry,” I find a suitable spot to pull over, turn on my parking lights, and politely ask them to go ahead and pass.
 Psychologically speaking, when driving, I want to take my time and enjoy the natural surroundings—after all, it’s a rare treat.
 Perhaps, as befits an older person, my sole motivation is simply “gratitude for the natural environment that has sustained me for so long.”
 So, my wife and I arrived at the hotel while enjoying a pleasant chat, only to realize I’d forgotten my Mac accessories—specifically, the external hard drive containing almost all my data (sob). Oh no.
 I don’t even have the data I’m currently working on. Hmm… The drive went smoothly, but the “signs of aging”—like forgetfulness—are steadily (lol) catching up with me.
 It’s a bit embarrassing to admit while traveling, but I won’t just “throw this away”; I’ll keep up with my “daily updates” and postpone the actual writing while I focus on preparation work. The plan is two nights and three days. Thank you for your support.
 

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

【深まる紅葉、北海道の今年をみる旅路へ】



 だんだんと世間の暦とズレてくる高齢者。ありがたいことと感謝です。
 まだ仕事の流れ自体は継続性があるとは言え、おおむねスケジュールは自分で決められる。そのメリットを活かして連休をずらし、本日から道内の「観葉」旅であります。あ、自分で決めると書きましたが、これはまったくカミさんの決定に従順に従っているだけなので、やや書きすぎかも(笑)。
 わたしたち昭和20年代後期の年代の健康状態は、それまでの日本人平均からは劇的に栄養状態が改善したので、いま70代半ばですが、毎日10,000歩越えの散歩をこなせるほど。
 前期高齢者と後期高齢者という概念が行き渡ったのは、アメリカでの実勢が基礎となって日本にも反映したといわれる。自分自身がその年齢層に到達してきてやはり強く実感できます。まだ「前期」。
 また、わたしは兄弟(姉も)6人なのですが、全員まだまだ元気であります。わたしは末っ子ですが、長兄は11才上でも毎日元気に散歩して、ゴルフも楽しんでいるとのこと。どうやら、健康長寿が日本人に広範に現実化してきているのでしょう。
 そうなってくると、社会システムも対応して変化していくことが予想されますが、それはまだ手探りで、現実が積み重ねられてきているというところ。考えて見ると、これこそが日本の再成長の根源的な「資産」なのではないかと思えます。どう活かされるか?
 もっといえば、わたしたち年代はそういう「フロンティア」に位置していて、高齢化・健康長寿世代がどう社会に貢献できるかの実験的世代なのかと。しかしそうはいっても、直接的生産活動的「体力」までは計算できないので、より「文化」的な領域開発になっていくのでしょう。
 まぁまだまだ新規領域の開発が可能で、オモシロい人生模様かなぁ(笑)。
 ということで、新鮮な目線で北海道の魅力を再探訪していきたいと思います。
 写真は朝の散歩路「西野緑道」スポットがみごとな黄葉ぶりを見せてくれた様子と、わが家近くに遡上して産卵行動に入ったサケの様子です。さて、旅路ではどんな秋が目の前に広がってくれるかなぁ?

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English version⬇

[As the Fall Foliage Deepens: A Journey to See What This Year Holds for Hokkaido]
Taking advantage of the “long weekend” at a slightly different time than most. How can the generation that has achieved greater health and longevity contribute to society? They may hold the key to Japan’s “renewed growth.” …

 As I get older, I find myself gradually falling out of sync with the general public’s calendar. I’m truly grateful for that.
 While my work itself still has a certain degree of continuity, I’m generally free to set my own schedule. Taking advantage of that, I’ve shifted my long weekend and am embarking today on a “houseplant-viewing” trip around Hokkaido. Oh, I wrote that I set my own schedule, but since I’m actually just obediently following my wife’s decisions, I might have exaggerated a bit (laughs).
 For those of us born in the late Showa 20s, our health has improved dramatically compared to the average Japanese person of that era, thanks to better nutrition. So even though we’re now in our mid-70s, we’re still able to manage daily walks of over 10,000 steps. It’s said that the concepts of “early-stage seniors” and “late-stage seniors” became widespread in Japan because they were based on actual conditions in the United States.
 Now that I’ve reached that age group myself, I can truly feel it. Also, I have six siblings (including an older sister), and all of us are still going strong. I’m the youngest, but my eldest brother—who is 11 years older than me—still goes for brisk walks every day and enjoys playing golf. It seems that healthy longevity is becoming a reality for the Japanese people.
 As this happens, we can expect social systems to adapt and change accordingly, but this likely means we’re feeling our way forward as reality unfolds step by step. When I think about it, I believe that this is precisely the fundamental “asset” driving Japan’s renewed growth. How will it be put to use?
 To put it another way, our generation is positioned on that “frontier”—we’re the experimental generation that will explore how the aging, healthy, and long-lived can contribute to society. That said, since we can’t rely on the “physical strength” required for direct productive work, our contributions will likely shift toward developing more “cultural” domains.
 Well, there’s still plenty of room for development, so I suppose it’ll be an interesting chapter in life (laughs).
 With that in mind, I’d like to rediscover the charms of Hokkaido through fresh eyes.
 The photos show the stunning autumn foliage along the “Nishino Greenway”—a spot on my morning walking route—and salmon that have migrated upstream near my home to begin spawning. I wonder what kind of autumn scenery will unfold before me on my travels?

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

 
 

【タコとんび・ニシンを楽しく包丁&手捌き】



 わが家近くの河原で毎日のようにサケの産卵・次世代への引継の神聖ないのちの絶唱をみつめていると、買い物で入手するさまざまな魚類のことが心理に深く「入ってくる」。
 先日も、産卵を終わったと思えるメスのサケが体力をすべて使い切って、水深のほとんどない河原で横たわっている様子を凝視していて、思わず「その最期は謹んで食す」のが、最善の「供養」と思えていました。さすがにそれは自重して自然のままに放置していました。そのような魚類のいのちの「いとなみ」を見ると、さらに鮮魚店で購入する魚類にも感情移入する。いや、思わさる(北海道弁)。
 写真はタコの口(くちばし)の周辺の筋肉の「タコとんび」と捌いたニシン。
 タコとんびはタコの中にある黒く硬いくちばし(あご)の形が、鳥の「トンビ」のくちばしに似ていることからこのように呼ばれるようになったもの。タコ1匹から1つしか取れないため、貴重な珍味とされる。カニの甲羅を砕くほどタコが日常的に使っている筋肉のため、非常にコリコリとした弾力があり、噛むほどに旨味が出てくるヤツ。余市の鮮魚店ではじめて購入して以来、ご近所の食品店でも目にして、ちょこちょこ、家庭料理メニューから途切れないように購入しています。わたしの場合は、塩ゆでして冷ませてから、黒い「くちばし」を手で外して身だけにしてほぼ1口大に切り分け、酢醤油などで味付けして食します。1日に食べるのはほんの2−3切れ程度ですが、楽しくて欠かせない一品。いつも購入している店舗では、非常にお手頃価格で、10コ程で300円程度と庶民的。
 一方は北海道の地サカナとも思えるニシン。ナマのニシンを捌くのですが、もうすっかり定番捌きになっていて、非常に楽しい。通常は3匹で300円程度。3枚におろして冷凍させておいて、焼いて食します。こちらもわたしはほんの少々、写真の1枚の1/5程度で十分。しかし、息子や嫁さんたちは、モリモリと1枚食べきったりする(笑)。若さは素晴らしい。
 焼き魚にすると、その独特の味わい、風味が北海道ネイティブなマインドを刺激してくれる。今回のヤツは超大型で4匹で800円。しかも1匹はメスで数の子入り。捌いているとそういう楽しみも満喫できる。
 高齢期のたのしみ、日々のサカナ捌きのご紹介でした。

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English version⬇

[Fun Ways to Prepare Octopus and Herring with a Knife and by Hand]
As I enter my golden years, working with a knife has become my “ultimate joy.” I’m deeply grateful to these fish—which brighten up my daily life at such an affordable price (laughs). …

 When I watch the salmon spawning near the riverbank close to my home—that sacred, final chorus of life as they pass the torch to the next generation—almost every day, the various kinds of fish I buy at the store really “sink in” deep within me.
 Just the other day, as I gazed intently at a female salmon—who appeared to have finished spawning—lying on the riverbank in water that was barely deep enough, having completely exhausted her strength, I couldn’t help but feel that “respectfully eating her at the end of her life” would be the best way to “honor her memory.” Of course, I refrained from doing so and left her to rest in peace. When I witness such “struggles” for life in fish, I find myself empathizing even more with the fish I buy at the fish market. Or rather, it makes me feel that way (in Hokkaido dialect).
The photo shows “takotobi”—the muscles around an octopus’s beak—and a filleted herring.
Takotobi got its name because the shape of the black, hard beak (jaw) inside the octopus resembles the beak of a “tonbi” (kite). Since only one can be extracted from each octopus, it’s considered a rare delicacy. Because it’s a muscle the octopus uses daily—even to crush crab shells—it has a very crunchy, springy texture, and the more you chew it, the more umami flavor comes out. Ever since I first bought it at a fish market in Yoichi, I’ve spotted it at neighborhood grocery stores too, so I buy it here and there to make sure it never goes missing from our home cooking menu. Personally, I boil them in salted water, let them cool, then remove the black “beak” by hand to separate the meat. I cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and season it with soy sauce and vinegar before eating. I only eat about two or three pieces a day, but it’s a delightful and indispensable dish. At the shop where I usually buy them, they’re very affordable—about 300 yen for 10 pieces—making them a true everyday treat.
 On the other hand, there’s herring, which I consider a true Hokkaido local fish. I fillet raw herring, and it’s become such a routine task that I really enjoy it. Usually, three fish cost about 300 yen. I fillet them into three pieces, freeze them, and then grill them to eat. I only need a tiny bit of this—about one-fifth of the fillet shown in the photo is plenty for me. However, my son and daughter-in-law wolf down an entire fillet (laughs). Youth is wonderful.
 When grilled, its unique taste and aroma really appeal to the Hokkaido soul. The ones I got this time were extra-large—four for 800 yen. What’s more, one was a female with roe. Preparing them lets me fully enjoy that kind of little pleasure, too.
That was my introduction to the joys of old age: preparing fish every day.

● Announcement
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Available on Amazon.
 
 

【宮城県産ひとめぼれ「新米」を研ぎ、ほおばる】



 9月中に受け取っていた今年度産の新米ひとめぼれ。毎回60kgを1回に宮城県の農家から送ってもらっているのですが、ようやく昨年産のお米が一段落したので、今週から食しはじめております。 うまい。
 農家の方からは「今年は昨年のような高温障害無くて美味しいです」という情報。
 いや、昨年米も十分楽しませていただいていましたが、専門家としてはそういう「変動」もあったようです。
 農家の方から「直売」で購入させていただくと、当然コミュニケーションがそこに発生して、いろいろな「思い」が伝わってきて、毎日の食事に「こころ」が波動してくる。いかにも人間が精魂込めた「いのち」のようなものが感じさせられるのですね、とくに「主食」なので。
 毎日の食事作りでごはんについては、調理担当はわたし。
 計量して、米とぎして炊飯器で炊き上げるプロセスは「日課」になっていて、深く沁みる部分。
 米とぎして、1粒1粒の手ざわりから感じられるものがあって、それが心底に残ってくるのですね。ほんのちょっとした拍子に1粒程度米粒が行方不明になったりすることがあっても、丹念に「捜索」して拾い上げている。こういうのは日本人の特有の心理なのではないかといつも思わされる。
 こういう米粒1粒へのこだわりって、生産者との「語らい」の1つの表現なのでしょうね。自分的には、そういう主食へのリスペクトこそが日本人の基層心理だと思っている部分。
 米とぎするとそのコメから白濁した洗浄水が発生するけれど、その水の「白さ」にもある心理投影がある。
 清廉潔白というコトバがあるけれど、やはり日本人の心底の「白さ」には、このコメのとぎ汁の白さが、アナロジーされているようにも思われます。
 欧米の人びとは、麦類からパンを生成させるとき、どう「思う」のかなぁと想像が羽ばたく。きっと、日本人とコメと相似したような心理があるのでしょうね。主食へのリスペクト文化。
 毎日、出張時以外、こういう時間を持てていることに感謝しております。

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English version⬇

[Rinsing and Savoring “New Harvest” Hitomebore Rice from Miyagi Prefecture]
From rinsing the new harvest rice—observing the whiteness of the rinse water, savoring the texture of each grain—to finally taking a bite. A “conversation” with one’s staple food. The Japanese people. …

 I received this year’s crop of Hitomebore rice in September. I usually have a farmer in Miyagi Prefecture send me 60 kg at a time, and now that I’ve finally finished eating last year’s rice, I’ve started enjoying this new batch this week. It’s delicious.
The farmer told me, “This year’s crop is delicious because we didn’t have the high-temperature damage we had last year.”
Well, I certainly enjoyed last year’s rice as well, but as an expert, it seems there were such “fluctuations.”
 When I purchase directly from the farmer, communication naturally arises, and I receive all sorts of “thoughts” and “feelings” that infuse my daily meals with a sense of “heart.” I can truly feel the “life” that the farmer has poured their heart and soul into it—especially since it’s our “staple food.”
When it comes to preparing our daily meals, I’m in charge of cooking the rice.
 The process of measuring, rinsing, and cooking the rice in the rice cooker has become a “daily routine,” and it’s something that touches me deeply.
 When I rinse the rice, I feel something through the texture of each individual grain, and that feeling stays with me deep in my heart. Even if a single grain goes missing by accident, I meticulously “search” for it and pick it up. I’m always reminded that this might be a mindset unique to the Japanese.
 This attention to even a single grain of rice is likely one expression of our “conversation” with the farmers. Personally, I believe that this respect for our staple food is the very foundation of the Japanese psyche.
 When you rinse rice, a milky-white washing water is produced, and there is a psychological projection in the “whiteness” of that water as well.
 There is a phrase meaning “purity and integrity,” and it seems to me that the “whiteness” deep within the Japanese heart is analogous to the whiteness of this rice-rinsing water.
 My imagination runs wild as I wonder what people in the West “think” when they make bread from grains. Surely, they must have a mindset similar to that of the Japanese and rice—a culture of respect for staple foods.
 I am grateful that I am able to have moments like this every day, except when I’m away on business trips.

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