さて昨日記載のように、来週は15から17日までの東京ビッグサイトでのAI系イベントに参加。その準備作業と「人生まとめ企画」と勝手に位置づけている電子書籍出版の関連活動などで、フルハウス状態。加齢してくるとどうしても脳味噌の活性についての疲労感の影響はやむを得ない。従順に受け入れて、ときどきはそういう状況に対して「自然のいとなみ」をこころに感受させることで、バランス感覚を再生させたくなる。
　そんな心理にさっぽろの街は太古以来の自然状態を保存させているエリアを保持していて、そこを巡り歩くことで、リフレッシュを働きかけてくれる。冬の間朝散歩では、カミさんの選択にあわせ「雪道ではなく、歩きやすさ最優先」だったので、人工的な「空中回廊」を歩くことが多かったのですが、ようやくカミさんの許可が得られ写真の「円山自然林」のなかを歩けるようになった。写真のこの位置は北海道開拓の初めの頃、アメリカから派遣されてきた「御用外国人」たちがその自然状態を愛して日本側に意見具申し、手を加えないまま保存させてきた「北の森」。
　円山の裾野にあたるこの場所ではカツラの巨木たちが太古以来の趣を感じさせてくれる。
　・・・なんですが、その巨木の中の１本でご覧のように太い幹を切断せざるを得ない状況があったようでした。どういった自然のドラマ、輪廻転生の機縁があったかは知らないのですが、切断された幹部分が残置されている。一見、惨たらしい光景でもありますが、管理する立場からはやむを得ない仕儀なのでしょう。カツラの木の新生を願っての伐採行為だったのだと思われました。こころの中で手を合わせておりました。
　北海道はその開拓期、アメリカの技術者たちの叡智が注ぎ込まれた地域。いま、トランプ2.0政権から世界全体のドラスティックな変容をもたらす変革が雷鳴のごとく響き渡ってくる。戦後世界を形作ってきた基盤的な構造が大きな転換期を迎えざるを得ないのでしょう。どのような対応が日本にとって「よりベター」なのか、叡智を結集して欲しいところですが、どうもいまだに既成観念にすがろうとする見方も多いようです。日本の立ち位置、よく見定め行動する必要があると思いますが、さて。

English version

[Snow melting in Sapporo, reincarnation of nature in giant katsura trees]
We must not hesitate to watch the reincarnation of nature and make alterations based on our reiognous judgement. The Sapporo Maruyama Natural Forest, which was protected by the opinion of American engineers, is a place where people can enjoy the natural beauty of the area. …

　As mentioned yesterday, next week I will be attending an AI-related event at Tokyo Big Sight from the 15th to the 17th. I’m in full house with preparatory work for the event and activities related to the e-book publication, which I have positioned myself as a ‘life summary project’. As we age, the effects of fatigue on brain activity are inevitable. Sometimes I want to regenerate my sense of balance by obediently accepting such situations and letting my mind perceive the “natural course”.
　The city of Sapporo has areas that have been preserved in their natural state since prehistoric times, and walking around these areas helps to refresh the mind. During the winter morning walks, I often walked along the man-made “aerial corridor”, as it was “not on a snow-covered path, but on an easy-to-walk path” according to my wife’s choice, but I finally got her permission to walk through the “Maruyama Natural Forest” in the photograph. This location in the photograph is the “Northern Forest”, which was preserved without modification at the beginning of Hokkaido’s development by “foreign advisors” dispatched from the USA who loved its natural state and expressed their opinions to the Japanese side.
　The huge katsura trees at the foot of Mt Maru remind us of the ancient atmosphere of the area.
　However, as you can see, one of the giant trees had to have its thick trunk cut off. I don’t know what kind of natural drama, or reincarnation, took place, but the severed trunk was left in place. At first glance, this may seem like a disastrous sight, but from a management standpoint, it is probably an unavoidable practice. It was thought that the act of felling was done in the hope that the katsura trees would be reborn. I was holding my hands together in my heart.
　Hokkaido is an area that was infused with the wisdom of American engineers during its pioneering period. Now, the transformation that will bring about a drastic transformation of the entire world from the Trump 2.0 administration is thundering through the air. The foundational structures that have shaped the post-war world will have to undergo a major transition. I would like to see Japan gather its wisdom on what response would be ‘better’ for the country, but it seems that many still cling to conventional thinking. Japan’s position needs to be carefully assessed and acted upon.

Posted on 4月 11th, 2025 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 日本社会・文化研究