Ann & Natsu (ФwФ) Uo･ｪ･oU (ФwФ) ♣

Papa was a rolling stone

2012-01-27T01:04:00.034+09:00

Whatever it takes, I would never say such a thing.

口が裂けても、そんなこと言わんよ。

Be happy in the morning.

朝は機嫌よくしろ

Don't get angry at the others.

人には腹を立てるな

Don't waste fire.

火は粗末にするな

Don't travel far on a stormy day.

風の強い日に遠出をするな

Be a sucker.

人にはバカにされろ

Earn before spend.

金は稼いでから使え

Don’t drink excessively

大酒は飲むな

Never gamble.
バクチは決して打つな

Consider injury and accident embarrassing.

怪我と災いは恥と思え

Don't consider humble life as trouble.

貧乏を苦労と思うな

Eat moderately.

腹八分目

Keep water at hand.

水は絶やさぬようにしろ

Don't be overconfident.

自分を完璧と思うな

Take a good rest before and after a child-birth.

産前産後は大事にしろ

Live within means.

何事にも分相応にしろ

Mind things around you.

万事に気を配れ

Marry early.

女房は早く持て

・
・
・

Old Man's Favorite Adages become Anachronism !?

親父の小言は時代錯誤　!？

Papa was a Rolling Stone - Wikipedia

時代を遡ってみる。
Row against the current.

Business manners

2012-01-24T00:07:00.003+09:00

Japanese bow in many different situations.
Bowing isn't just used for apologizing,

we also bow when expressing gratitude.
Usually the more deeply you bow, the more it is taken you are sincere.

日本人はさまざまな場面でおじぎをします。

謝るときだけでなく、感謝を表すときにもおじぎをします。

一般的におじぎは深くするほど、誠意が込められていると受け取られます。

A professional entertainer, I kneel and bow ...

until my forehead touched the ground.

But, you don't need to suck up like this.
プロの僕ならここまでやるよ。
けど、君はこんなふうにおべっかを使う必要はない。

I have business manners.
僕はビジネス・マナーを心得ているんだ。

I'll show you a good example.

いいお手本を見せてあげるよ。

This is it !

こう！

Now this !

そうして　こう！

Both men and women should have courage and charm.
男も女も度胸と愛嬌さ。

Act like me !

僕みたいにね！

Danny Boy

2012-01-18T16:27:00.038+09:00

We have never had a chance to visit a port town while our Grandpa was alive.

僕らはおじいさんの生きているうちに一度もあの土地を訪れる機会を持つ事ができなかった。

Although my father was wont to say we should go to there.

父さんはいつも行かなくちゃ行かなくちゃと言っていたのだけれど。

And today, there are nothing but only memories I ought to look for at there.

But, I have a desire for coming back to the port town

and someday I want to live in there once again before I die.

そして今ではもう、思い出のほかにそこに求めるべきものは何もない。
でも、死ぬ前にいつか、僕はあそこに戻って、もう一度暮らしてみたいと思うのだ。

―― あの夏の日差しの中へ ――
Bring back the old days in the summer sun

A Photo Exhibition of Yokohama Nostalgia

「おじいさんの思い出」より

Danny Boy

But if ye come and all the flowers are dying

If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.

すべての花が枯れ落ちる中、あなたが帰ってきて
もし私が既に亡くなっていても
あなたは私が眠る場所を探して
ひざまづき、お別れの言葉をかけるのです

And I shall hear, though soft, your tread above me

And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be

For you will bend and tell me that you love me

And I will sleep in peace until you come to me.

私の上を静かにそっと歩いても私には聞こえる
あなたが愛してるといってくれたとき
私は暖かく心地よい空気に包まれるでしょう
私は安らかに眠り続けます
あなたが帰って来てくれるその時まで

Start Again from Scratch

2012-01-08T22:55:00.017+09:00

倒れたら起き上がって、

Start Again from Scratch.

仕切りなおして、もう一度。

" Come on ... Cool it !

I'll give you a big bear hug. "

落ち着けよ！　ほら、抱きしめてあげるから。

" It has only begun."

勝負はこれからさ

We want to applaud this fighting spirit of
" not giving up on your dream. "
「あきらめない」その姿勢は見上げたもの。

My New Branching

2012-01-03T14:07:00.009+09:00

Let me introduce my new blog.
新しいブログを始めました。

Pitter-Pat ((o(б_б;)o))

http://pitterpatpitter-pat.blogspot.com/

I would like to read you my favorite
Stories Digest with my images.
お気に入りの小説のダイジェスト版です。

It's one of my New Year's Goals,
so please allow me
if it comes down to an evanescent challenge.
新年の目標なので、
尻切れトンボに終わってもどうぞ大目にみて下さいね。

I hope you enjoy it.
どうぞよろしく。

Look for the silver lining

2012-01-01T09:00:00.020+09:00

2012

May the New Year

bring many good things to you！

新年が皆様にとって良い年になりますように

Look for the silver lining
When e'er a cloud appears in the blue

Remember somewhere the sun is shining
And so the right thing to do
is make it shine for you

青い空に雲が現れたときは
銀色の裏地があるか探してごらん
覚えておいて、太陽はどこかで必ず輝いているから
そしてすべきことは
君のために太陽を輝かせること

A heart full of joy and gladness
will always banish sadness and strife
So always look for the silver lining
Try to find the sunny side of life

胸いっぱいの楽しみと喜びは
いつでも哀しみと争いを打ち消してくれる
だからいつでも銀色の裏地を探して
人生の明るい面を見つけてみよう

You guys,
Please sit there against Japanese New Year's decorations.
Smile !
ほらそこに座って。　撮るよぅ

Your kind friendship will be greatly appreciated.

今年もどうぞどうぞよろしく！

Thanks from Yokohama

2011-12-31T13:47:00.025+09:00

Please accept this as a token of my gratitude.

Yokohama scenic sceneries taken from my car.
今年一年の感謝の気持ちを添えて
横濱の街角を　車窓からお届けします。

Thanks for coming. (*´∇｀*)
I'm glad of your gentle and encouraging words.
ご訪問頂き、嬉しいコメントをありがとうございました。

よい新年をお迎えください。

I Wish A Happy Ending

2011-12-21T18:40:00.055+09:00

Let's go shopping to get you a picture book

as a bedtime story at Christmas night.

クリスマスの夜のお話に　絵本を買いに行こうよ。

Natsu , Which one do you want　?

ナツはどんなお話がいい？

I prefer an unusual picture book !

ちょっと変わったお話がいいな。

" The Steadfast Tin Soldier "
Because I heard it's a touching, sad story
written by H.C.Andersen.

He was a Danish author, fairy tale writer,
and poet noted for his children's stories.

ｱﾝﾃﾞﾙｾﾝ　の　「すずの兵隊」

哀しいお話って聞いたから。

Hmm... Yes, it is.
The tin soldier is well-know among children worldwide.
He fell in love with a beautiful doll and
the two lovers' life were ended in tragedy by the hands of rival in love.

えぇ・・・　そうだね。
世界中の子供達も知っているそのすずの兵隊さんは可愛いお人形と恋に落ち、

それに嫉妬した恋敵のせいで

彼女と一緒に可哀そうな最期をむかえるお話だね。

Actually, this year we have seen the families

touched by the tragedy in Japan.

今年は日本でとても悲しい惨事をたくさん見てきたから、

So, I don't want to face up to a sad story now.

May I rewrite it as a happy ending ?

今は哀しいお話しはしたくないよ。

結末を、幸せなお話にしてもいいかな？

Sure, Mom.

Please read me it on this Christmas Eve.

わかった。　クリスマスイブの夜には、

" The Steadfast Tin Soldier with a happy ending. "

「幸せなすずの兵隊」　のお話を聞かせて。

We wish you and your loved ones

a very Merry Christmas

A Happy New Year !

A Christmas Story

2011-12-14T16:45:00.026+09:00

When we were children, we believed in Santa Claus.

The story's characters are five-year-old boys who believe in Santa Claus.
５歳の今でも　サンタを信じている　男の子たちの物語。

Natsu is waiting for Santa Claus.
サンタさん　待ってるよ。

Goma is searching for Santa Claus.
サンタさんを　探してみる。

I'm going to catch him by lying in wait.
僕が　待ち伏せして彼をつかまえてみせるよ。

You just wait !

ちょっと待ってて！

Ann is

" Ah, so sleepy ! I'm through waiting. "

眠いよぅ　　待つの飽きちゃった。

On the other hand,
their father works as a part-time Santa Claus during the Christmas season.
一方　父さんは　ｻﾝﾀｸﾛｰｽの　ｱﾙﾊﾞｲﾄで大忙し。

Natsu !
What do you want for Christmas ?
ナツは　ｸﾘｽﾏｽに何が欲しいの？

I want this one.

これなんだけど。

That figures ・・・

やっぱ　そうなんだね　(汗）

The Boy Next Door

2011-12-09T00:36:00.012+09:00

The moment I saw him smile
I knew he was just my style

My only regret is we've never met
Though I dream of him all the while

But he doesn't know I exist
No matter how I may persist
So it's clear to see there's no hope for me

Though I live at fifty-one-thirty-five Kensington Avenue
And he lives at fifty-one-thirty-three

How can I ignore the boy next door

I love him more than I can say

Doesn't try to please me
Doesn't even tease me
And he never sees me glance his way

And though I'm heart-sore, the boy next door
Affection for me won't display

I just adore him
And I can't ignore him
The boy next door

And though I'm heart-sore, the boy next door
Affection for me won't display

I just adore him

So I can't ignore him

The Boy Next Door

The fallen leaves swirled in the wind

2011-12-02T00:21:00.021+09:00

I think the yard looks great all covered with yellow leaves.
黄色い落ち葉のカーペットとっても素敵

I picked up a fallen leaf in the garden

to make a pressed-leaf bookmark.

落ち葉でしおりを作りましょう

Let's create a huge pile of leaves we can jump into.

落ち葉の上に飛び降りるのは面白いかも

I swept the porch. There were lots of leaves on it.

The fallen leaves swirled in the wind.
たいへん　風に舞った落ち葉を集めなくっちゃ

Personalize a free photo slideshow

Empty heart, empty glass, empty room

2011-11-25T22:46:00.030+09:00

-- Good evening, table for one ? --

いらっしゃいませ。　おひとりさまですか？

Whisky and you, a glance, a lovely night
A chat, a touch, a cozy room
Feeling you close and music will be fine
One night's love, but it's all right with me

ウイスキーが　お好きでしょ

もう少し　しゃべりましょ

ありふれた　話でしょ

それで　いいの　今は

-- That's a dried cuttlefish for nibbles. --
つまみの　イカでございます

The joy of meeting, the pain of parting
Leaving all our joyful times behind
Our lovely moments locked up in my heart
Drinking to the yester love we shared

-- Come again ? --
猫はイカ食えないし、アンモナイトだし・・・

A rainy night, a whisky, you and I
Silly fights, a memory, sleepless night
Two broken hearts that's never more to mend
Empty heart, empty glass, empty room

ウイスキーが　お好きでしょ

この店が　似合うでしょ
あなたは　忘れたでしょ
愛し合った事も

-- I like entirely silly jokes that don't mean anything. --

どうしようもないくらいくだらないおふざけです。

-- Excuse me just a second. 　I'll go and get a shot of highball. --
ちょっと失礼してと。　ﾊｲﾎﾞｰﾙを持ってきます。

Night Views of Factories

2011-11-18T13:29:00.038+09:00

We joined a sightseeing tour

" The Jungle Cruise for Night Views of Factories "

a boat tour of the industrial zone surrounding the Port of Yokohama.

横浜港から　京浜工業地帯を巡るクルーズに参加してみました。

It's a popular tour in Yokohama.
However, I was surprised to find it was already booked solid.
Many tourists have joined the same kind of tour since 2008.

２００８年以降　横浜の人気ﾂｱｰになりました。

It felt like a breathing animal, Alien !

まるでいきもの、エイリアンのよう！

I would like to share with you an aura of the blue moon.

蒼い月と共にお楽しみ下さい。

It was thudding sickly against its ribs.

まるで、脈打つ心臓です。

I love these ｇiraffes standing on a dock.
They were looking lazily up at the moon.

岸壁で首を長くし物憂げに佇むキリンが好きです。

It's always a relief to get back my town.
In other words, I love Yokohama ♪
街に戻るといつもほっとします。

More skies from all over the world can be found here.

Had fun today ?

2011-11-11T22:54:00.028+09:00

I had fun watching a fan.

Kyoto Fan
facebook.com/discoverkyoto

KYOTO POP-UP PARTY

She was dancing with a folded fan.

私達は、たまたま通りかかっただけなのに楽しませて頂きました。

Had fun time although we were the mere passing shoppers.

While I was lost in thought

2011-11-08T16:03:00.018+09:00

Ono no Komachi

was a famous Japanese waka poet.

She was noted as a rare beauty; Komachi is a symbol of a beautiful woman in Japan.

花の色は　移りにけりな　いたづらに

わが身世にふる　ながめせしまに

小野小町　9

My figure has declined in grace

while I was lost in thought of love and variety of things in the world,

花の色はあせてしまったわね、長雨が降り続く間に。

as well as the color of flowers has faded

while I was lost in thought to no purpose with this long rain.

私の容色も衰えてしまったわ、生きていることのもの思いをしていた間に。

There is no reason to be sad.

Because, you know what true love is.

哀しむ必要はありません、あなたは愛とは何かを知っているから・・・

Love is a flower that should never fade, or die,

the colors should always be vibrant no matter what the season.

愛は　決してしおれたり枯れたりはしない。

その色は季節がいつであれ、いつも生き生きとしている　一輪の花/愛するものだから。

The Samurai Spirit

2011-11-04T17:34:00.048+09:00

It's said the Samurai spirit is in the Japanese genes.

However, it's difficult to say what that is.

私たち日本人のDNAにある侍魂とは何かを言い表すのは難しい。

If I were to use one word, it may be that

Harmony with others is stressed; the system that teaches self-restraint
produces people who don't lose control, even in the face of chaos.

あえて一言で言えば、他人との調和を重んじ、自分を押さえ、
混乱の中でも理性を失わない精神ではないかと　私は考えます。

Related to Bushido （samurai spirit), Games respect fair play.

Let's play a ball game wearing Samurai Blue !

http://sites.dunhill.com/day8/en/articles/2011/08/shoubu-fuku

When we compete head-on against the entrance exam or international match,

Even today,　many Japanese tend to compare it to " The Battle of Sekigahara "

今日でも、いざ勝負という時私達が言いがちなのが、

「ここが、天下分け目の関ヶ原」

ﾜﾝｸﾘｯｸで詳細楽しめます。

(Click on the picture to see the enlargement.)

When the battle was extremely harsh,

Japan's civil war commanders might have murmured

"That's in a pinch, our family crest-flags are reducing !"

That means it's hopelessly outnumbered.

Their flags had a distinct design to identify themselves on the battlefield

of the Warring States Period.

また、苦戦中に　「旗色が悪いなぁ」　なんてつぶやいたりしませんか？

They had also an obsession with a suit of
Armor, Samurai Warrior Helmets.

そんな戦国武将は　勝負服　甲冑にもこだわった。

If you are born as a Japanese man,

you can't measure swords against any foe without the Japanese armor.

日本男子に生まれたら、勝負服は甲冑。

We are all 5-year-old boys in 2011.
Let's celebrate " 7-5-3 / Shichi Go San "on Nov.15th.

Tightly lash the helmet cord up to your chin !

It means that Idleness is the devil's workshop.

油断大敵、　勝って兜の緒を締めよ。

Never take off the helmets in your gut, or it's curtains for you.

あきらめたら（心の兜をぬいだら）勝負は終わるよね。

When on inviting holiday,

it's my fun time to see sportsmanship and team spirit.

気持ち良い秋風に吹かれてのスポーツ観戦は最高だよ♪

Mind you, it's Not Disneyfication !

あのね、これは間違ってもﾃﾞｨｽﾞﾆｰﾗﾝﾄﾞの被り物ではないからね！

Tukumogami　付喪神

2011-10-29T01:20:00.056+09:00

In our daily life, we're surrounded by many kinds of
convenient tools and adorable companions and beautiful nature.

日本の古神道においては、古来より森羅万象に

（八百万の神）（やおよろず）の神が宿るとするアニミズム的な世界観が定着していて、

長く生きたものや、古くなったものはそれだけで、神聖であり神々しいとされてきた。

Thanks to them, people are spending

an enjoyable, happy, comfortable life.

付喪神（つくもがみ）とは、日本の民間信仰における観念で、

長い年月を経て古くなったり、長く生きた（道具や生き物や自然の物）に、

神や霊魂などが宿ったものの総称で、荒ぶれば禍をもたらし、和ぎれば幸をもたらすとされる。

丁重に扱われ、付喪神となったものが、恩を返すなどした伝承もある。

また粗末に扱ったり供養を絶やすと、付喪神となり荒ぶるとする考えから、

役目を終えた道具や生き物に対する供養を行う習慣につながっている。

Never superannuate them so easily.
Because, they get older and maybe could become Tukumogami
or Yōkai (妖怪, literally demon, or monster)

which might bring you the haps and mishaps of life.
これらの価値観をもたらす背景としては、道具や家畜などを「大切に扱い手入れを絶やさぬように」という教訓的なものや、
手入れの疎かな古道具を安易に用いることによる破損や事故の回避、長く身の回りの役に立ってくれた
道具や家畜・愛玩動物に対する感謝の心として解釈される。

猫また　Nekomata: cats

犬神　Inugami: dogs

Tsukumogami (付喪神, "artifact spirit") are a type of Japanese spirit. According to the Tsukumogami-emaki, tsukumogami originate from items or artifacts that have reached their 100th birthday and thus become alive and aware. Any object of this age, from swords to toys, can become a tsukumogami. Tsukumogami are considered spirits and supernatural beings, as opposed to enchanted items. Tsukumogami vary radically in appearance, depending on the type of item they originated from as well as the condition that item was in. Some, such as tsukumogami originating from paper lanterns or broken sandals, can have tears which become eyes and sharp teeth, thus giving a horrifying visage.

Others, such as worn prayer beads or teacups, may merely manifest faces and appendages, giving a warm and friendly appearance. Though by and large tsukumogami are harmless and at most tend to play occasional pranks on unsuspecting victims, as shown in the Otogizōshi they do have the capacity for anger and will band together to take revenge on those who are wasteful or throw them away thoughtlessly. To prevent this, to this day some jinja ceremonies, such as the Hari Kuyō, are performed to console broken and unusable items. It is said that modern items cannot become tsukumogami; the reason for this is that tsukumogami are said to be repelled by electricity. Additionally, few modern items are used for the 100-year-span that it takes for an artifact to gain a soul.

Some of the famous Yōkai or Tsukumogami include the following:

木魂　Kodama: spirit of old tree

This Camphor is 1000-year-old tree.

東伊豆にある来宮神社の大クス
国天然記念物。目通り14ｍ・樹の高さ24ｍ・樹齢約1,000年以上。

Himeji Castle

Type Azuchi-Momoyama castle

Built 1333-1334
兵庫県が誇る　国宝　姫路城　現在改築中だと思います。
数年間はかかるとの事。　工事が始まる直前に慌てて見に行きました。

長壁姫　Osakabe-hime is living in Himeji Castle
蝙蝠飼って御簾に隠れて城に住むなんて、なかなか真似できないよね！！

皿数え　Sarakazoe： A ghost
stays at Okiku Well inside the castle.
「お菊さん」　「番町皿屋敷」　って知ってる？
「皿が 1枚足らずに殺された～」なんて　毎夜つぶやくそうです。
フォロワーになりたい！

化け草履 Bakezōri: Straw Sandals
「いらっしゃ～い！」　桂三枝風でお迎えしたい。

暮露々々団 Boroboro-ton: Comforter
「ゴメン　今から干して繕ってあげるから・・・」

骨傘　Kasa-obake: Umbrellas
先日の台風一過の翌朝　街でお見かけしました。

雲外鏡 Ungaikyo: Mirrors
これ怖い。　　I'm scared

Nambu Cast Ironwork, it's no longer popular among young people.

These retro teacups are making a comeback recently.

南部鉄瓶は別の用途で使ってあげないと、いつか付喪神様になりそうな気配。

昔、会社の給湯室などで見かけた水玉模様の茶碗　ここにきてレトロモダン！？で人気だとか。

Seto-taisho　瀬戸大将　: Tea kettle

陽気な大将　　 Upbeat Guy ?

Although Goma is still 5 years old,

he already looks likely to change himself into a Yōkai.

ｺﾞﾏは5歳で、すでに毛むくじゃらの妖怪？

毛羽毛現　Keukegen

Otherwise known as　GOMA ？

I Fall In Love Too Easily

2011-10-21T18:28:00.026+09:00

I fall in love too easily, I fall in love too fast.

DAL　/　Charlotte ｼｬﾙﾛｯﾃ

すぐに恋に落ちてしまう僕

恋に落ちるのが早すぎるよ

I fall in love too terribly hard for love to ever last.

パッと燃え上がってしまい

あんまり長くはつづかない

My heart should be well-schooled
'cause I've been fooled in the past.

もうちょっと学ばなくちゃ

今までバカだったもんなぁ

But still I fall in love so easily, I fall in love too fast.

Little DAL + Lepupu　(ルププ）

My heart should be well-schooled
'cause I've been fooled in the past.

But still I fall in love too easily, I fall in love too fast

でもやっぱりすぐに落ちる

恋に落ちるのが早すぎるよ

Mr.Goma looks likely to fall in a serious love. (LOL)

ゴマは　彼女と一緒に写真を撮りたいと　鼻で泣きました。

Across Yokohama Galaxy

2011-10-14T18:13:00.041+09:00

My little brother visited us from my hometown Kobe alone.

On weekends, my niece and nephew are busy with their local sports club.

弟が故郷　神戸から訪ねてきた。

東横沿線　観光ﾏｯﾌﾟ　/ ﾜﾝｸﾘｯｸで詳細楽しめます。

(Click on the Map to see the enlargement.)

It's too bored for us to show him the familiar tourist site only in Yokohama.

すでに見慣れた街だけを案内するのは退屈だよね。

Choose your favorite mode of transportation

for a trip to the Milky Way.

Why don't you set out for a tour across Yokohama Galaxy.

どうせなら、銀河の旅へ出かけてみない？
交通手段は貴方好みで。

Go by Boat.
ボートや、

by Galactic Train.
銀河鉄道で。

Needless to say,

It is exciting to go by Spacecraft.

もちろん宇宙船なら　最高！

With you, Mr.Goma/E.T. /the Extra-Terrestrial.

地球外生命体のこいつがいれば、

Get on a Bike. Look straight ahead.
Just keep pedaling !

自転車に乗ってこぎ続けて！

The next moment,
It's possible blending in with the sky against shining moon.

月の輝く空へ。

If you want nothing more than to travel the galaxy,

Cosmos just exists in your imagination !

宇宙はあなたの想像力の中。

P.S. My brother would like to know how to enjoy the Blogger.

His first tour will start here.

↓

Day After Day

弟のブログも　どうぞ宜しく！

A Dog A Day Keeps

2011-10-05T15:13:00.030+09:00

As you know,

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away.

１日１個のリンゴで医者いらず。

And then,

It's the page-a-day Cat Gallery 2011 Calendar.

A Cat A Day Keeps Overwork Away.

Ann & Natsu

１日１猫に出会えれば　働き過ぎを　防ぎます。

Mom！
ねぇ

How about with me ?
僕と一緒なら？

About Dogs ? ?
Umm ...

そうねぇ　わんこの場合は･･･　？

A Dog A Day Keeps A Poor Appetite Away !

Ann & Natsu

１日わんこと過ごせば　食欲不振にはなりません。

That's true enough !
ほんとだよ！

A falsh of Daydream

2011-09-30T20:13:00.024+09:00

Are you a patient person ?

Being patient is really tough sometimes.

Don't just sit there !
毎日大変だけど、そんな顔してないで。

It's a good time to go on a short trip.
Let's Go !
小旅行に　いい季節だよ。

From Tokyo station

to our destination /Manazuru station,

It takes about one and a half hours by local train.

予約いらずの鈍行で、東京駅から1時間半で真鶴駅に到着。

It's a fishing harbor in the Manazuru peninsula.

真鶴半島遊覧船
ペットも無料で　乗船可

Good news：Pets allowed free boarding.

Take a sightseeing boat, Head out to sea.

これまた予約いらずで、真鶴遊覧船に乗船。

カモメと鳶が　餌（えびせん）　求めて、船を追って飛んでくる。

A flock of Sea Gulls and a number of Black Kites are following our boat

in search of food/shrimp flavor snack thrown from our hands.

Hey ! Catch it !

(Click on the photos to see the enlargement.)

I wonder if　I see a flash of a daydream.
A short Trip is not bad, is it ?
You need " The Trip ".

一瞬　白昼夢を見た気分。　　ね、近場もいいでしょう！

As Old As My Fear

2011-09-28T01:36:00.016+09:00

Youth
by Samuel Ullman

Youth is not a time of life ― it is a state of mind ; it is a temper of the will,

a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions,

a predominance of courage over timidity,
of the appetite for adventure over love of ease.

Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years ;
people grow old only by deserting their ideals.

Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.

Worry, doubt, self‐distrust, fear and despair ―these are the long,

long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust.

Whether seventy or sixteen, there is in every being's heart the love of wonder,

the sweet amazement at the stars and the starlike things and thoughts,

the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing childlike appetite for what next,
and the joy and the game of life.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt ;
as young as your self‐confidence, as old as your fear,
as young as your hope, as old as your despair.

So long as your heart receives messages of beauty,
cheer, courage, grandeur and power from the earth,
from man and from the Infinite, so long you are young.

When the wires are all down and all the central place of your heart is

covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism,

then you are grown old indeed and may God have mercy on your soul.

I'm so surprised to hear my daughter joined a Rafting tour.
I'm too afraid, as old as my fear.
I'm grown old indeed and may God have mercy on my soul.

私には無理！　神仏のあわれみを乞うしかない・・・

「若さとは」
ｻﾐｭｴﾙｳﾙﾏﾝ

青春とは人生の一時期のことではなく心のあり方のことだ。
若くあるためには、創造力・強い意志・情熱・勇気が必要であり、
安易（やすき）に就こうとする心を叱咤する冒険への希求がなければならない。

人間は年齢（とし）を重ねた時老いるのではない。理想をなくした時老いるのである。
歳月は人間の皮膚に皺を刻むが情熱の消失は心に皺を作る。

悩みや疑い不安や恐怖失望、これらのものこそ若さを消滅させ、
雲ひとつない空のような心をだいなしにしてしまう元凶である。

六十歳になろうと十六歳であろうと人間は、驚きへの憧憬夜空に輝く星座の煌きにも似た
事象や思想に対する敬愛何かに挑戦する心子供のような探究心
人生の喜びとそれに対する興味を変わらず胸に抱くことができる。

人間は信念とともに若くあり、疑念とともに老いる。
自信とともに若くあり、恐怖とともに老いる。
希望ある限り人間は若く、失望とともに老いるのである。

自然や神仏や他者から、美しさや喜び勇気や力などを感じ取ることができる限り、その人は若いのだ。
感性を失い、心が皮肉に被われ、嘆きや悲しみに閉ざされる時、人間は真に老いるのである。
そのような人は神のあわれみを乞うしかない。

You don't know what love is

2011-09-25T14:42:00.037+09:00

You don't know what love is
Until you've learned the meaning of the blues
Until you've loved a love you've had to lose
You don't know what love is
愛とは何か、あなたは知らない
ﾌﾞﾙｰｽの意味を思い知り
失う定めの恋をするまでは
愛とは何か、あなたは知らない

You don't know how lips hurt
Until you've kissed and had to pay the cost
Until you've flipped your heart and you have lost
You don't know what love is
唇の痛みを、あなたは知らないキスをし、その代償を払い
心のときめきを失うまでは
愛とは何か、あなたは知らない

Do you know how a lost heart feels
The thought of reminiscing
And how lips that taste of tears
Lose their taste for kissing
あなたは知っているか空虚な心が追憶をどう感じるか
どんなふうに涙に濡れた唇が
口づけの感触を失っていくかを

You don't know how hearts burn
For love that can not live yet never dies
Until you've faced each dawn with sleepless eyes
You don't know what love is
焼かれる魂をあなたは知らない
生きもせず死にもせぬ恋
眠れぬままに朝を迎えるまでは
愛とは何か、あなたは知らない

Love Among the Ruins
by Edward Burne-Jones

Chet Baker
His Voice is Innocent.

Tasteful Autumn Day

2011-09-21T17:58:00.015+09:00

Celebrate the start of harvest.

収穫の秋

Autumn is a tasteful season.
なんでも　味わい深い秋

Wow !
A Basket of Autumnal Japanese Cakes
Double in the Mirror !
あら不思議？　ごちそうが　二倍！　二倍！

Be careful not to find your double-chin in a mirror !

二重顎警報　発令中

台風15号　関東上陸
大雨暴風波浪警報発令中！

Typhoon No.15 is on its way to Tokyo, Japan

while writing this very blog !

------------ Alert -----------

Heavy rain/Hurricane/High-Wave Warning.

吹くからに　秋の草木の　しをるれば
むべ山風を　嵐といふらむ
文屋　康秀　22
Plants in autumn wither as soon as the wind blows from mountains.
Oh, I see, that's why we call the wind from mountains "storm" probably.
("storm" consists of "mountain" and "wind" in kanji.)

山から吹くはげしい風で草木がしおれるから
山に風で「嵐」か　なるほどねぇ。

白露に　風の吹きしく　秋の野は
つらぬきとめぬ　玉ぞ散りける
文屋朝康　37

How beautiful the fields in autumn with the dewdrops on the grass
scattering like unchained beads windblown constantly are　!

秋の野原で　キラキラ光る草の露を風が吹き飛ばす
糸がほどけて飛び散る真珠を見るような　一瞬の美しさだ

Copyright (C) SIG English Lounge All Rights Reserved.
http://www3.to/kyomi/database/h1/

Head To Head

2011-09-16T13:46:00.034+09:00

Today

16 September 2011 - 17:00 /JP time
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton in New Zealand.

Official Rugby World Cup 2011

NZL Rank 1　vs　 JPN Rank 13

International Matches: 3

NZL victories: 3

JPN victories: 0

draws: 0

Current IRB World Ranking

15 men will get the time to go ahead and issue forth to battle in sports.

Even if their opponents are

Big , Strong and Hairy ALL BLACKS.
男たちは戦わなければならない時がある。

相手がたとえ最強で毛むくじゃらの大男達であっても。

Goma is a Hairy All Black Dog.

No ! Japan Side.

やる気満々っす！
FIGHT ! 　TRY TRY TRY
Never Give Up !

Nov.21 2009 15:42
Tokyo, Japan
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium

----------------- p.s. ------------------

No Side !

RWC 2011
NZL 　vs　 JPN
83 - 7

Thanks for showing your Fighting Spirit.
7点が嬉しい。

Where has the moon gone ?

2011-09-13T02:00:00.035+09:00

How bright and clear the moonlight through the rifts

in the clouds trailing with an autumn wind is !

秋風に　たなびく雲の　絶え間より

もれ出づる月の　影のさやけさ

左京大夫顕輔　79

秋風に吹かれて　流れる雲の切れ間から　月光が地上を照らす　なんて美しい光景なんだろう

I met you by chance but you hurried back before I don't make sure that you are my old friend,

as well as the midnight moon I came across disappeared behind a cloud before I recognize it.
Murasaki Shikibu

Murasaki Shikibu (紫式部, English: Lady Murasaki) (c. 973 – c. 1014 or 1025) was a Japanese novelist,
poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period.
She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in the Japanese language between about 1000 and 1012.

めぐりあひて　見しやそれとも　わかぬ間に

雲がくれにし　夜半の月かな

紫式部　57

あれは本当にあなただったかな・・・　曇る夜空の　月みたいな人　見えたと思ったらまたかくれる

I can hardly wait for the full moon tonight

from a brilliantly sunny morning.
今日はいい天気、今晩の月は期待できそうだなぁ。

Where has the moon gone ?
月はどこいった？

Waiting for the moon tonight,

Let's enjoy Tukimi /Moon Viewing ~~in Japan~~ on the earth.
(Ms.Leenie, Thanks !)

花より団子、月よりケーキ ?
Bread is better than the songs of birds！

From a car window

2011-09-09T08:25:00.000+09:00

It's my fantastic time

SkyWatch from a car window rain or shine.

More skies from all over the world can be found here.

The same as usual

2011-09-07T17:11:00.021+09:00

What do you do in weekends ?

週末どうしてます？

Let me show you how my doggy spends weekends.

家のワンコの場合です。

My bangs are bothering me !

前髪がうっとうしくなれば、

He visits a barber.

散髪に行き、

Enjoy the flowers.

花を愛で、

Take a walk.

散歩する。

Enjoy his father's pampering.

父に甘やかされて、

Get an earful from his mother.

母に叱られる。

Go shopping.

買い物に行き、

Sometimes he gains favor with a companion.

時には、気が合う仲間に会ったり、

And unaccepted.

嫌われたりもする。

Stay at a kennel for pets once in a while.

まれに、ペットホテルに泊まることもやむを得ない。

And then,

Get ingredients in Japanese cooking.
His most favorite foods are made from soybean curd.

大好きな酒の肴をもとめて、

Join the family's evening drink.

家族の晩酌に付き合う。

How's life ?

The same as usual !
あいかわらずさ！

Willow Weep For Me

2011-09-01T21:57:00.025+09:00

Hyakunin isshu

English

Love is the same everywhere, and all through the ages, isn't it ?
恋はいずこも同じかもね、そしていつの時代も。

見せばやな　雄島の海人の　袖だにも

濡れにぞ濡れし　色は変わらず

殷富門院大輔 90

I want to show you my sleeves which have turned red with tears,

even the fisher men's sleeves in Ojima get wet and wet but never turn red, though.

ねえ見てよ　あなたのせいで泣きすぎて　血の涙を私は流しているのよ　真っ赤な涙を

契りきな　かたみに袖を　しぼりつつ

末の松山　波越さじとは

清原元輔 42

We have promised, squeezing our sleeves wet with tears each other,

that our mind will never change as well as the wave never goes over Mt.Suenomatsu, haven't we ?

あの日二人で　「絶対に心変わりしない」って　泣きながら誓ったよね・・・・　それなのに？

恨みわび　干さぬ袖だに　あるものを

恋に朽ちなむ　名こそ惜しけれ

相　模 65

How sad my name will be withered by the rumor of love, even though my sleeves which are never dried with tears because of sorrow and jealousy for your being heartless would not decay !

あなたを恨む涙で　服が濡れてﾀﾞﾒになるのがくやしい　ﾀﾞﾒな恋の噂で　私の評判が落ちるのはもっとくやしい

思ひわび　さても命は　あるものを

憂きにたへぬは　涙なりけり

道因法師 82

I love her in secret but she wouldn't know it, and this love has been annoying me for years.
Although I'm still alive, yet my tears can't endure the bitterness and run down.

脈なしだってわかっていても彼女しか見えない　死ぬほどつらい恋だ　涙がぽろぽろこぼれてしまう

嘆きとて　月やはものを　思はする

かこち顔なる　わが涙かな

西行法師 86

Does the moon tell me to cry and make me be lost in thought? (No, my sweet heart does.)

Still, my eyes are brimming with tears I blame on the moon for.

あの人が好きすぎて泣けてくる　でもあの人は悪くない　そうだこの涙は月のせい！　月がきれいで泣けてくるんだ

----Willow Weep For Me----

Willow weep for me, Willow weep for me
Bend your branches green
Along the stream that runs to sea
Listen to my plea
Listen willow and weep for me

Gone my lovers dream
Lovely summer dream
Gone and left me here
To weep my tears into the stream
Sad as I can be
Hear me willow and weep for me

Whisper to the wind
And say that love has sinned
To leave my heart a-breaking and making a moan
Murmur to the night
To hide her starry light
So none will find me sighing
And crying all alone
Weeping willow tree

Weep in sympathy
Bend your branches down
Along the ground and cover me
When the shadows fall
Bend oh willow and weep for me
Weep for me, Weep for me …

柳よ泣いておくれ、　私のために泣いておくれ
海に続く小川に沿って
その緑の枝を垂れて
私の願いを聞いておくれ
柳よ聞いておくれ　そして　私のために泣いておくれ

恋人と思い描いた夢も消え去り
楽しかった夏の夢も過去のもの
私は独りここに残り
すべてを涙と共に小川に流す
どうしようもない悲しさよ

柳よ　私の話を聞いておくれ　そして　泣いておくれ

そっと風に伝えておくれ
恋は罪つくりだと
胸の張り裂けるような　つらい思いだけを私に残すなんて
夜にささやいて伝えておくれ
星明りを隠すように
そうすれば　誰にも私がひとりぼっちで嘆き悲しみ　
泣いている姿を見られないから

しだれ柳よ
私を哀れんで泣いておくれ
その枝を(地に着くまで)深く垂れて
私を覆っておくれ
夜の闇がおりる時
枝を垂れて　私のために泣いておくれ

---- 秋になりますね。 ----
There is a nip of fall in the air.

An Incense Burner

2011-08-31T14:31:00.058+09:00

The Kutani Ware, come to think of it,
I completely forgot about it up to today !

When we stayed at a favorite ryokan in Kyoto,

I found a beautiful Incense burner placed in a Tokonoma.

I was moved by the beauty of the traditional style.

So, I bought a pottery to decorate our tokonoma.

そう言えば、京都の旅館の床の間で見かけて
憧れて買った香炉が　確か九谷焼だったような・・・？

柊屋旅館

Hiiragiya

(We couldn't stay at such a gorgeous room.)
The two famous Japanese writers, Yukio Mishima and Yasunari Kawabata
loved to stay at these rooms.

この部屋に一見さんはなかなか泊まれないのかなぁ？

Now, I find the incense burner of Kutaniyaki covered with dust
at the corner of tokonoma in my house.

香炉は、床の間の隅で埃まみれになってすっかり忘れ去られていました。

I pull cheerfully out it from a room upstairs,

and take the photos with my cat.

I especially like such Kutaniyaki.
These are too expensive for me.
つわぶきの花が　可愛い。
こんなのがほしいなぁ～

There is our daily Japanese-style room

where cats and a dog are wandering around

under anything but ideal circumstances.(LOL)

犬猫が出入りし、落ち着いた和室には程遠いありさまです。

これ！　風鎮を落として遊ぶのはやめなさい！
Don't play with the tassels of a Kakemono.

It's difficult to keep a beautiful traditional lifestyle.

毎日の暮らしで、なかなか床の間なんてゆっくり鑑賞できませんね。

Late-Summer Greeting

2011-08-26T22:09:00.013+09:00

Thanks for your support for our activities.

We are looking forward to your continued support.

残暑お見舞い申し上げます。

引き続きご贔屓のほど　宜しくお願い致します。

This beckoning cat/Manekineko is made of Kutani in Japan.

交趾焼（こうちやき）と九谷焼　どことなく似てると思うのですが･･･　どうかな？

I bought them made of Koji Pottery as a souvenir in Taiwan.

交趾焼（こうちやき）

中国の故事に"これを所有するものは名声を得る。"とある。
（ほんとかなぁ～？　名声はいらんけど）

Cochin Pottery is also known as Koji Pottery
(traditional Chinese: 交趾燒; Hanyu Pinyin: Jiāozhi shāo).
The only long-time ceramic tradition that involved artistic considerations was Cochin ware,
a folk craft originally from Kwangtung and brought to Taiwan in the 19th century.
At that time, Cochin ware consisted mainly of decorations for the walls and roof ridges of temples, including human figures, animals, birds, and flowers in bright, glossy colors.
Today, there are only a handful of craftspeople who still possess the traditional Cochin skills,
most of whom are in the central-island city of Chiayi.
In the Japanese city of Kyoto the masters of the tea ceremony
loved 'Kouchi' as small figures of animals, fish, flowers, dragons, the phoenix etc.

中国南部で生産された陶磁器の一種。名称はベトナムのコーチシナ（交趾支那）との貿易で

交趾船によりもたらされたことに由来する。正倉院三彩などの低火度釉による三彩、

法花と呼ばれる中国の元時代の焼き物、黄南京と呼ばれる中国の焼き物や

清の時代の龍や鳳凰が描かれた焼き物も広い意味では交趾焼である。

総じて黄、紫、緑、青、白、などの細かい貫入の入る釉薬のかかった焼き物の事をさす。　

交趾焼は主に茶の湯の世界で珍重され、香合がとくに尊ばれる。

江戸時代に数寄者の間で作成された香合番付では、交趾の香合がその上位を占める。

茶の湯で珍重されるという事で、京都において楽家や永楽善五郎がその写しものを制作した事から

九谷焼や日本の京焼でもその写しが作られることとなり、その制作は全国で行われる。

永楽が携わった紀州徳川家の偕楽園焼は紫と浅葱色と呼ばれるトルコブルーを基調にした法花の和製の作風である。

台湾には19世紀に中国の広東より民芸としてもたらされており、交趾陶、嘉義焼とも称される。

主に寺院建築の壁面の飾り物として人物、瑞獣、植物をモチーフとされ、台湾での公式な贈答品として用いられている。

【茶道具】　水指　紫交趾　偕楽園焼写

Such a life, such a death

2011-08-24T22:16:00.006+09:00

もしも、私が台湾で生まれていたならば

If I had been born in Taiwan.

母の腕に抱かれ、街角に住む鯉に餌をやり
I would like to
feed carp as being held in mother's arms.

夜の街をバイクで走り
Ride a motorcycle at full speed in the streets late at nigh.

恋をして
Fall in love

自分の将来の為に祈り
Pray to pass examinations and get a happy marriage.
---Taiwanese temples are very unique.---

卒業後、数年間兵役義務に就き

Serve a few years' conscription after graduating.
--- The Republic of China (Taiwan) has maintained a policy of conscription　
for all qualified males of military age since 1949.---

仕事に就き
Get a work in order to eat.

週末子供と一緒に船に乗り
Take a riverboat tour with our children at weekend.

犬と猫を飼い
Keep a dog and cats

家族の為に祈り
Pray for the safety of my families and for business success.

家族と共に食べ
Eat for a good health with family.

学び続けて
Keep a love of learning.

Go to National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan.

Wonderful Chinese Paintings

Visit this website !!

誰かの記憶に残り
Leave my figure in a few photos.

山の斜面のお墓に入る
Sleep with family on the slopes of a mountain.

そんな人生を過ごせれば幸せだと思います。
I'm happy if I would be able to spend such a life.

Most Japanese think Taiwan and China are the same.
Taiwan is engrossed in "the new but nostalgic Japan."
Without restriction, Taiwan is now drawing closer to Japan.
And then, we realized most Taiwanese are demure piety people.
I'm glad if the people of the two countries
get along with friendlier from now.

Fly to Taiwan

2011-08-19T22:06:00.010+09:00

We took a 3.5- hour flight to Taiwan from Haneda/Tokyo.

There is only a 1-hour time difference between Japan and Taiwan.

羽田から3時間半のフライト、1時間の時差で台湾到着です。

There was a drenching summer shower in the every evening.
It was so lucky we never opened an umbrella.

The lower temperatures following the shower brought us a comfortable night walk.

毎日夕方に降るｽｺｰﾙに驚かされましたが、幸い一度も傘をささずにすみました。
雨があがると涼しい風が吹き、おかげで夜の散歩は快適でした。　

The first tourist spot/ Jiufen.
最初の訪問地/九份　
Jiufen was only an isolated village until 1893, when gold was discovered in the area.

The resulting gold rush hastened the village's development into a town,
and reached its peak during the Japanese rule.
I felt a more deep connection to this country than I thought.
その昔、九份は台湾の一寒村でしたが、19世紀末に金の採掘が開始されたことで

徐々に町が発展し、日本統治時代にその最盛期を迎えました。
この国との縁は想像以上に深いものがあると感じました。

Jiufen also became popular in 2001,
when its downtown was used as a model in the anime movie Spirited Away.
日本では、九份が2001年に公開された映画「千と千尋の神隠し」のモデルになった町として紹介され
観光客への知名度が高まりました。

Without taking pictures of dogs or cats, I couldn't walk through the market !!
どこへ行っても、犬猫を見ると撮らずにおれません（笑）

Taiwan is absolutely a Dog Friendly country.
犬に寛容な人々と暮らす台湾で出会った犬たちは、無邪気で澄んだ瞳を持っていました。

From luxurious to street stalls, many Taiwan restaurants serve Hai Hsieng food.
Most recipes are to Japanese taste.

This restaurant was full of almost Japanese tourists.

ほとんどの台湾料理は日本人好みです。　どれもおいしかったです。

My Little Collection

2011-08-10T23:38:00.026+09:00

From my favorite collection, I pick out a few animal characters

look more adequate against a background.
I hope you enjoy my little collection !
私の数少ないコレクションから絵皿に合う犬と猫を一緒に撮ってみました。

I get a picture of an Akita Inu with Nagoya Castle in the background.

秋田犬　と　名古屋城

---- I kept an Akita dog outside in a kennel in my parents' home several decades ago.

She was a loyal and warm-hearted dog. I had been suffering a huge loss
for a long time after we lost her. 　Evem now,　I miss her. ----

かつて実家で秋田犬を飼っていたことがあります。
とても愛嬌のある愛情豊かな犬でした。彼女が今でも恋しいです。

A Maneki Neko with　牡丹 Paeonia suffruticosa.
Genus: Paeonia
招き猫　と　牡丹

I love a purple color's Paeonia especially.

牡丹の花が好きです。　黒紫色の牡丹は素敵ですね。

I was glad to find a beautiful garden

filled with blooming various Paeonia while traveling in this May.
今年の5月、旅先で綺麗に手入れされた庭を見つけました。
管理が難しい牡丹の花が見事に咲いていました。

A cat with　GAUGUIN

”Gien France Sm Plate Dealer Gift GAUGUIN Leda Swan 1990”

猫　と　ｺﾞｰｷﾞｬﾝ

Gauguin, Paul (1848-1903) Mini and Her Cat 1890

Three　Leather Cats with Circular Cottage in England, Blaise Hamlet.

3匹の猫　と　英国の旧家

The Scottish Fold is a gentle cat.

By the way, our family of three will make

four-day three-night trip to TAIPEI this weekend.
It's our first visit to Taiwan.

We hope to find fantastic worlds we never knew.
家族で台湾へ行ってきます。未知の世界です。

During our absence, the dearest companions will stay at a pet-hotel.

The hotel gives them kind hospitality.
However, their health is our most concerned matter.
ペットホテルで留守番の彼らの健康が最も心配です。

Night Picnic

2011-08-07T02:02:00.019+09:00

Night picnic is no bad, isn't it ?

I hope to capture your silhouette waving to me on the Ferris Wheel !

夜のピクニックも悪くないよね？

How about enjoying the cool evening breeze ?

Bottled Love Cat

2011-08-03T17:20:00.034+09:00

Lyrical Love Leaf

セダム子持ち蓮華

Bottled Love Cat

Snuff Bottle 　(from Wikipedia)

Snuff bottles were used by the Chinese during the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was illegal during the Dynasty, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders. Therefore, snuff was carried in a small bottle like other medicines.
The snuff bottle is comparable to the snuff box used by Europeans.

北京の官人たちが愛した掌の芸術品

鼻煙壺 (びえんこ） BI YAN FU
明の時代（1368～1644）にイタリアからから中国に伝わった嗅ぎ煙草は、

上流社会を中心に中国でも大流行しました。

Tobacco was introduced to the court at Beijing some time during the mid- to late-16th century. It was originally smoked in pipes before the establishment of the Qing Dynasty. The use of snuff and snuff bottles spread through the upper class, and by the end of the 17th century it had become a part of social ritual to use snuff. This lasted through most of the 18th century. Eventually, the trend spread into the rest of the country and into every social class. It was common to offer a pinch of snuff as a way to greet friends and relatives. Snuff bottles soon became an object of beauty and a way to represent status. The highest status went to whoever had the rarest and finest snuff bottle.
The peak of snuff bottle manufacture was during the 18th century.
初めは輸入された鼻煙箱に入れ持ち歩いていたそうですが、欧州と違い湿気の多い中国では
高価な嗅ぎ煙草を湿けらせない為にも、密封度が高い壷状の容器が考えられました。
はじめはその頃薬を入れるために使われていたガラスの小瓶を代用品として使っていました。
これが鼻煙壷の原型となりそれが、その後の清（1636～1912）時代の極盛期を経て、
携帯用の容器から芸術性を競うものへと性格を変化させていきます。

The use of snuff increased and decreased with the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty and died away soon after the establishment of the Republic of China. However, replica snuff bottles are still being made, and can be purchased in souvenir shops, flea markets and museum gift shops. Original snuff bottles from the Qing period are a desirable target for serious collectors and museums. A good bottle has an extra quality over and above its exquisite beauty and value: that is touch.
Snuff bottles were made to be held and so, as a rule, they have a wonderful tactile quality.

その時代は北京の宮廷内に鼻煙壺を専門に作る工房が置かれ、
そこで作り出される『皇帝の鼻煙壺』は、その他の民間で作られる雑多な物と区別するため
『官料鼻煙壺』と呼ばれ、主に家臣への褒美や外交時の手土産などに使われました。

鼻煙壺（びえんこ）素材もまたさまざまに分化し金や銀や錫の金属製・玉や瑪瑙等の貴石の鼻煙壺や、
白磁などの陶器や硝子やエナメル彩・象牙等々、ありとあらゆる素材がこの小さな壺、
鼻煙壺に使用されました。

先が曲がった針金のような細い筆で、ガラスの内側に巧みに描かれいます。

一番の特徴は「逆絵」といって、絵や文字を裏がえしに書いている所です。

いずも片方の手のひらに収まる大きさです。
And then,

Lyrical Love Cat

Where Has My Hat Gone ?

2011-07-27T19:02:00.002+09:00

Do you know me ?

My name is Cui-daore taro. I make my livelihood by advertising.

I'm a mini-celebrity in the Kansai, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan.

大阪ではむかしから、眼鏡かけて人の良さそうなお人はかならず、

「お前、くいだおれ人形に似とるなあ」などと言われたそうです。

Actually,　I look up to Mr. Colonel Sanders as his world wide popularity and long career.

実は、わてカーネルはんを尊敬しております。

The grand old Adman from USA,

Mr. Colonel received such treatment as a fan of The Hanshin Tigers in Osaka.

Tigers is one of Nippon Professional Baseball teams located in Kansai.

アメリカから来はった大御所アドマン、カーネルはんも、大阪ではこないな事に・・・。

(from Wikipedia)

In 1985, much to Japanese people's surprise,

the Hanshin Tigers took their first and only victory in the Japan Series,

largely due to star slugger Randy Bass, an American playing for the team.

The fan base went wild, and a riotous celebration gathered at Ebisubashi Bridge

in Dōtonbori, Osaka. There, an assemblage of supporters yelled the players' names,

and with every name a fan resembling a member of the victorious team leapt from the bridge

into the waiting canal. However, lacking someone to imitate MVP Randy Bass,

the rabid crowd seized a Colonel Sanders (like Bass, the Colonel had a beard and was not Japanese) plastic statue from a nearby KFC and tossed it off the bridge as an effigy.

Finally fond after 24 years

The Colonel was finally discovered in the Dotonbori River on March 10, 2009.

Divers who recovered the statue at first thought it was only a large barrel,

and shortly after a human corpse, but Hanshin fans on the scene were quick to identify

it as the upper body of the long-lost Colonel. The right hand and lower body were found next day,
but the statue is still missing its glasses and left hand.

1985年阪神ﾀｲｶﾞｰｽが優勝した時　彼、えらい目におうて 24 年間も行方不明でしたんや。

2009年道頓堀川の底から彼が見つかった時、ほんま嬉しかったわぁ～。

Oh ? Where Has My Hat Gone ?

はて ? 　帽子があれへん !

Hey !

What do you think you are doing ?

It's my powerful business tool !!

These are funny free gifts that come with "cui-daore taro pudding"

my daughter bought a gift to take home

when she went to Osaka to play tennis with her colleagues.

This pudding is really yummy !

Please try the sweets and enjoy with goods on your ways.

「いつまでやっとんじゃ、ええかげんにせえぇよ！」
という顔ですね。（笑）

この帽子は　大阪土産「くいだおれ太郎　プリン」のおまけです。

プリン美味しいでっせ！

おまけでもこないな楽しめますさかい　是非どうぞ～。

カラメルソースとザラメ砂糖のトッピング付です。

Enjoy my previous post archived and video features on downtown Osaka.

↓

Fantasmo Downtown Osaka

Moonlight Cat's Jazz

2011-07-22T17:30:00.007+09:00

My YouTube Channel ♪
Night Lights (1963 Version) Gerry Mulligan

More skies from all over the world can be found here.

Signal Flags Vividly Flying

2011-07-18T16:15:00.016+09:00

The system of international maritime signal flags is one system of flag signals

representing individual letters of the alphabet in signals to or from ships.

国際信号旗

“U” “W”の順に並べて掲げると（二字信号）「御安航を祈る」の意になります。

Along the streets of the port of Yokohama,

A pair of these signal flags are vividly flying under the summer sun at the moment.

横浜の街路に添って、今真夏の太陽の下この旗が鮮やかに掲げられています。

Scandia Restaurant Since 1963

I enjoyed the movie with my whole family in ages after Sunday brunch.

From Kokuriko Hill

I hope this town will not lose its brightness forever.

いつまでも　この街が輝いていますように。

An impressive animation movie set in beautiful Yokohama

is now screening in cinemas throughout Japan.

さよならの夏　～　コクリコ坂から　～
手蔦　葵

Renewable Energy / Cat's Power

2011-07-16T00:01:00.013+09:00

Renewable Energy
Mainstream forms of it.

Don't Forge Cat's Power !

It might be a remarkable renewable energy !?

Toy Go Round Cat Exercise Wheel.

$299.99

That seems much expensive.

Bengal Cats, Flash and Pixel are very gorgeous cats !

They show us cat's power is their remarkable beauty.

再生可能ｴﾈﾙギーとは

●　自然界で起こっている現象から取り出すことができ、

一度利用しても再生可能な、枯渇することのないエネルギー資源のこと。

●　短期間・自発的に再生される自然現象に由来し、枯渇しないｴﾈﾙｷﾞｰ源のこと。

バイオ燃料
バイオマス
地熱発電
太陽エネルギー
水力発電
潮力発電
波力発電
海流発電
風力発電

猫発電もあると思います！？

Summer Crossing

2011-07-15T01:46:00.028+09:00

Cat vs Dog　（It just being play）

Summer Crossing

「真夏の妨害」

by Ann & Natsu

It's difficult approaches.
This is my attempt to create at once an homage to and parody of his novel.
ｵﾏｰｼﾞｭ　も　ﾊﾟﾛﾃﾞｨｰ　も　難しいものですね。

Summer Crossing

「真夏の航海」 by

Summer is come !

2011-07-10T17:11:00.019+09:00

Summer Greetings.
暑中お見舞い申し上げます。

PLEASE TAKE ONE.

Summer Greeting Cards 2011
presented by Ann & Natsu.

①

② gains ☆☆☆

③　gains ☆

⑤　gains ☆☆
Sorry, Natsu !

⑥　gains ☆☆

⑦

⑧　gains ☆

Please Let Me Know
Which one do you like best ?

Have A Nice Summer !

The Radiant Sea 光る海

2011-07-06T18:42:00.031+09:00

Kobe Port View / Feb. 10th 2011.

During the early morning navigation, the brilliantly scintillating sea was cut into a ship.
今年の二月冬の神戸港。
　早起きした朝、ホテルの窓からキラキラ光輝く海を滑るように走る船が見えました。

See the pre-war post cards
of Suma seashore landscape (須磨海岸),

that while producing a magical and nostalgic atmosphere

overflows with imagery of old days' life in hometown Kobe.
神戸市須磨海岸の様子を写した　戦前の絵葉書です。
私の子供の頃のものではありません。（笑）

In my childhood I used to play around this seashore
with my brother during our summer vacation.

Even now, it's my favorite time while I'm looking at the sea

extends as far as the eye can see
from the train's window running along the sea.
Those days, there were a few pine trees like the ones in the photos.
幼い頃　夏休みになると、ここ須磨の海岸で弟と一緒によく遊びました。
今でも海岸沿いを走る電車の窓から、光輝く海を見るのが大好きです。
当時はまだ、写真に写る松も数本ありました。

Beach Bar / 海の家.

I have a desire to be gazing absently into the radiant sea
just like the old days on the beach.
あの日に帰って、海辺でぼんやりと光る海を眺めていたいなぁと思うことがあります。

While we're eating a bowl of shaved ice with strawberry syrup.
苺シロップのかかった　かき氷でも食べながら。

Please Enjoy My YouTube
included my old days scenery by the sea.
ﾋﾞﾃﾞｵに私の原風景を含みます。

How Deep is the Ocean ? by Bill Evans

Be sure to carry

2011-07-01T17:57:00.030+09:00

When you leave the house on sultry days of summer,

Be sure to carry " Tenugui " （手拭） a thin Japanese hand towel made of cotton,

and "Uchiwa" （団扇） or folding fan / "Sensu" （扇子） with you.

How to use a Tenugui.

Yokohama Summer Cats Festival !!

My Big Brother, Natsu is cool !

でも、夏は暑い。

歌麿画：『汗を拭く女』。
歌川国芳画：『夕寿豆美』

Which articles do you like ?

Tenugui

Wow ! Lovely Goldfish.

Uchiwa.↑

Folding fan.

団扇と手拭持参で、暑い日本の夏を楽しみましょう !

Let's enjoy this hot summer !

Don't forget to carry a Uchiwa / Fan and a Tenugui / Towel !!

The season for giving summer gifts

2011-06-29T17:23:00.036+09:00

お中元を贈る季節になりました。
It is currently the season for giving summer gifts or "ochugen."

日本人は、年末にお歳暮、夏にはお中元という季節の贈り物をします。

例えば先生、上司、両親、親類といった、家族の為に何かしてくれた人に贈ります。

Japanese send seasonal gifts called oseibo at the end of the year, and ochugen in summer.

It's a gift for someone who has done something for your family,

like a teacher, a boss, parents and other relatives.

また、日本人は包装紙にこだわります。

中元・歳暮にはデパート包装が好ましいでしょう。

さらに贈り物に熨斗紙を添えます。

Also, Japanese are particular about choosing a style of wrapping paper.

Department store's wrapping papers are suitable for Ochugen or Oseibo.

And then these gifts are wrapped in paper called noshi.

It's noshi written a little note that Summer Gift

/Ochugen. 御中元

ところでこのお中元、品物選びが結構大変。

However, the choosing of articles during the mid-year season is fairly difficult.

ちょっと昼寝してから考えよう・・・

Let's get on with it after a short nap ・・・

We, Cats prefer to lie down on
Newspapers which you haven't yet read.

This is information that you should know.
Cats would really like your summer gift wrapped in newspaper

which you haven't yet read.

猫の行動ﾊﾟﾀｰﾝ
①　飼い主が新聞を広げ読み始めると、彼らは今暇であると勝手に思い込む。
②　この静かなひと時にかまってもらおうと思う。
③　新聞の上で、飼い主を見つめながら座り込む。
④　柔らかいお腹を出して寝転がり、たぁんとなでてもらう。
⑤　今日も作戦成功。

Oh, darn.

2011-06-26T01:58:00.012+09:00

Momma ! Is it ever hot.

Please turn the temperature settings down.

Natsu ! now, listen.

The government recommended a setting of 28 degrees.

Try to save electricity ! Switch on the ceiling fan.

You mean it ?

Oh, darn.

心頭滅却すれば火もまた涼しいって？

うそだろう！

経済産業資源ｴﾈﾙｷﾞｰ庁が、首都圏での節電ｷｬﾝﾍﾟｰﾝを始めた。

The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy in the Ministry of Economy,

Trade and Industry started a campaign to save electricity in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

7月と8月の夏の間の昼間の数時間だけは火力と水力だけでは電力が足りなくなります。

During the afternoon hours in July and August,

thermal and hydroelectric power may not be sufficient.

Ann & Natsu (ФwФ) Uo･ｪ･oU (ФwФ) ♣

Papa was a rolling stone

Papa was a Rolling Stone - Wikipedia

Business manners

Danny Boy

Start Again from Scratch

My New Branching

Look for the silver lining

Thanks from Yokohama

I Wish A Happy Ending

A Christmas Story

The Boy Next Door

The fallen leaves swirled in the wind

Empty heart, empty glass, empty room

Night Views of Factories

Had fun today ?

While I was lost in thought

The Samurai Spirit

Tukumogami 付喪神

I Fall In Love Too Easily

Across Yokohama Galaxy

A Dog A Day Keeps

A falsh of Daydream

As Old As My Fear

You don't know what love is

Tasteful Autumn Day

Head To Head

Official Rugby World Cup 2011

Where has the moon gone ?

From a car window

The same as usual

Willow Weep For Me

An Incense Burner

Hiiragiya

Late-Summer Greeting

【茶道具】 水指 紫交趾 偕楽園焼写

Such a life, such a death

Fly to Taiwan

My Little Collection

Night Picnic

Bottled Love Cat

Where Has My Hat Gone ?

Fantasmo Downtown Osaka

Moonlight Cat's Jazz

Signal Flags Vividly Flying

Renewable Energy / Cat's Power

Summer Crossing

Summer is come !

The Radiant Sea 光る海

Be sure to carry

The season for giving summer gifts

Oh, darn.

Graph of Tokyo Electricity Use (within TEPCO's 東京電力 service area)

Tukumogami　付喪神

【茶道具】　水指　紫交趾　偕楽園焼写