We have clear 十三夜, a moon on lunar September 13th tonight. 十五夜, another on lunar August 15th, is rare to be like this. Although rounder, she tends to keep shy wrapped in a cloudy dress. By the way, “Twelfth Night” by Shakespeare is translated into Japanese as 十二夜. 尾上菊之助 or Kikunoe Ryu head Sensha has played it on stage in kimono, directed by late Y. Ninagawa.
beauty
Tea Room?
StandardMei-Shun’s hairdresser is a pottery lover. She often visits Kasama City, famous for good products, to choose pretty cups served to her customers. Recent one used for green tea was excellent with patterns of lotus flower, on a piece of lovely wooden coaster which looks like to be made of origami, art of folding paper. Such a space of relaxation, her shop is called a “hair room”.
Welcome Back
StandardIt continued to rain for 6 days from last Thursday. We saw beautiful sunlight only in the morning of yesterday, followed by a lot of clouds in late afternoon. That’s was why Mei-Shun rushed to walk in 乙戸沼 Park, worried a little if all leaves frozen and browned. To her great relief, a scarlet friend found the first step of her getting off the car. A flock of wild duck swam lively beside wind-distorted fountain traces.
Peaceful Lane
StandardWe would be able to see them all in gold soon at 乙戸沼 Park. Still 40%-60% in green and yellow right now, gingko lines serve walkers and joggers a clean road in early mornings. Cherry trees put on colorful coats; green, yellow, orange and red. It seems the last one means a kind of graduation, because many scarlet leaves have already fallen on the ground to make friends with Mei-Shun’s shoes.
Best Moon
StandardOh, she comes up from tree tops. Mei-Shun feels so happy to have such a clear sky, which slight shower washed crossing sunshine yesterday. We can enjoy 十五夜 or 仲秋の名月=chushu-no-meigetsu, the most beautiful moon in the middle of autumn tonight. Thanks to Shin who brought tasty 月餅 from Hong Kong on weekend, his wife passed by sweet rice dumplings this year.
Peach Princess
StandardNamed きららの極み=kirara-no-kiwami, Extremely Shiny, they arrived into Mei-Shun’s arms. How pretty, and how tasty you are left in room temperature for three days! Growers recommend to have them immediately after delivery, yet she prefers softer mouthfeel. Interested in environmental difference, she put tags on each fruit to recognize time before stored in the refrigerator.
Fragrant Olive
StandardThat sweeeet scent comes from neighborhood these days. Our horseback riding club has some trees around the field, makes lessons more romantic and comfortable especially at night. Not only give charming aroma, they also look lovely in bloom. Those little orange flowers keep beauty even after falling on the ground. Such sight reminds Mei-Shun of her high school festival held in the middle of September.
After Harvest
StandardThey have grown green again. Several 彼岸花 or 曼珠沙華, red spider lilies trim current rice paddy. According to Shin, those dried bunches of rice were for growers themselves. Such care is too high-maintenance to serve for mass consumption. Oh, regarding newly harvested rice, Mei-Shun received some the other day from a police officer who was involved in a traffic safety campaign.
Autumnal Garden
StandardOur 萩=hagi, Japanese bush clover is in 80% bloom. Roses are in half, normal pink and vine white. What attracted Mei-Shun’s attention most was that the latter looked salmon pink a few days before, turn to white with red trimming later. It has not been recognized in such unique shades. Hi, little boy, did you flush stared by a woman? Please relax and grow further to reach the brick wall facing to a street.
Postponed Project
StandardMei-Shun meant to gain a certificate in horseback riding within this month. Now, why did she failed in it? One of the reasons seems imbalance between her mind and muscle. Greed (to save money, for example) might lead to mental haste, deprive her of concentration. She should calm herself down, return to her primary purpose to go to the club; pleasure in good communication with beautiful horses.
Manifest, chestnut-brown lady
meishunkikunoe 