We had 立冬=ritto, the first of winter 二十四節気 today. And it really was — might be rare for these warming days. In cold wind surfed on water, Mei-Shun walked around乙戸沼. Flocks of waterfowl have already flown onto the pond, lively chatting with each other. However, once look up, vivid colors dressed by tall ladies jump into your eyes. Many gingko trees changed into yellow while some are still in green. Several Japanese zelkova put on brown-red coats.
It was lucky for Mei-Shun to see them on the back of T.T. — Tosen Treasure, a thoroughbred boy with pretty eyes and a round star on forehead. Still single digit years old, he is very kind and friendly, let her feel relaxed after two weeks. Well, does it mean a little progress in her technique? You are supposed to look up while keeping your back straighten up on horses, which is not so easy for beginners. Oh, please wait until next lesson for photos; merciless shower began to beat lovely flowers.
Sonate (sonata quasi una Fantasia) Op. 27 by Beethoven,
Clair de Lune by Debussy,
… share top of Mei-Shun’s favorite piano score list. Mov. III of the former was the last for her to play in front of audience when she was 17. Such difficult one never let her relax, that Mov. I and II are among her repertoire. They tend to appear on Ms. Piano in rainy days, while it rarely does this month. It is why Mei-Shun makes it an excuse to choose these soothing scores that we see the moon later at night after 十五夜.
It is great honor for Mei-Shun to have a chance to visit a mosque for the first time led by Professor S, who is major in interfaith dialogue. Tokyo Camii & Turkish Culture Center is in Shibuya Ward, an amazing place of Islam and art. Marble walls and stairs with an impressive dome and minarets suddenly appear among tall trees. Now indoors taking off shoes, shining stained glasses and arabesque patterns jump into your eyes. Adhan by an imam sounds incredible, just like fantastic music.
Mei-Shun visited 旧古河庭園 with Professor S. They applied for a tour to enjoy autumnal roses there, fortunately won in the drawing. Starting from 9:00, they gave us a 5-minute lecture. It is very interesting that the flower originates in the Middle East, which seems one of the reasons for popularity of rose water around the region. Today’s Ms. Scent is 春芳=shumpo, with lovely silver-pink color and fascinating tea fragrance while Ms. Beauty White Christmas below in creamy white, round petals and fruity aroma.
To be continued to 21st, Fri.
2016 had 十五夜 or the best moon on September 15 while 十三夜 tonight, with thick clouds and “Clair de Lune” by Ms. Piano. It is interesting that both months start from 朔=saku, a new moon, making it easy to count her beautiful shapes. The latter is said to be clearer than the former, one of the reasons our ancestors held moon-watching party twice. Well, we could not have seen either this year. Shall we expect Saturday, a bona fide full moon?
A bit smelly, it prevents Mei-Shun from walking on fallen fruits. 乙戸沼 Park is a public one, which Tsuchiura City is in charge of, regularly cleaned and treated. Weeds are well cut in summer to avoid vexatious flies and mosquitoes, serve us a fine environment to walk and jog. However, this autumn has much rain. Many of workers who take care of parks are gray-haired maybe, give labor in clear days only. Thanks to it, beautiful cherry leaves turned into red were kept under the trees.
金木犀=kin-mokusei is one of Mei-Shun’s most favorite flowers. It reminds her of childhood, or accurately happy school days. Festival season used to come with that sweet scent, followed by tiny yellow flowers in bloom. Her parents also love it, planted the other breed of white flowers as well called 銀木犀=gin-mokusei, meaning fragrant olive with silver flowers. Original one means golden flowers with 金, giving young Mei-Shun treasures in garden.
How beautiful! Under this miraculous phenomenon, cicadas sang, humid and hot air held us. Summer seems to postpone his departure. Fiery sunset with orange and red gradation in winter is nice, yet it makes us a bit lonely, doesn’t it? Mei-Shun, who prefers lively pink, blue and green combination, was lucky to see it on walking way to home in the evening. The lane between harvested rice paddies was tinged with scarlet of 彼岸花 here and there.
One year has passed since Shin brought his wife to the horse-riding club. At first, just seeing horseies satisfied her. Their kindness to let her ride on gave the happiest entertainment. Now getting used to it, she wants more: she would like to be friends with that beautiful animal. She has only admired them so far, allowed them to do as they like. However, it might not be the right attitude toward her partners. On an equal footing, a horse and a human being should combine with each other to create great performances.
meishunkikunoe 