This is the entrance hall of 伊豆榮梅川亭, Izuei-Umegawa-tei. They serve you delicious 鰻=unagi, baked eels and other Japanese cuisine. It reminds us of Shin’s father who passed away 16 years ago. He was a public servant for Tokyo Metropolitan Government, often contacted his son to dine there. Mei-Shun was always happy to hear his invitation, never interrupted their good communication. Dad-in-law kindly understood her thoughts, always handed Shin 2 cups of 餡蜜, an-mitsu sweets on his way home.
To you, Mikan-chan. Mom wishes she could go anywhere with you — sorry to bring you up as a lonely girl. She had to leave you at home to visit her mother today, since it is the only day available for them to enjoy chatting on handmade ohagi sweets. Yes, your human grandma will go to 草津 again soon. Thank you so much for staying a good girl every time. Oh, you are turning around following a long, fluffy pole. Sweetest baby, it is your own lovely tail.
Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. F. They are friendly owners of parking space we rent for guests. Tall and gray-haired Mr. F appears in person to bring summer gift to us, always greets touching his hat while small and gentle Mrs. F does for winter. Oh, please stop bowing so much. The former told Mei-Shun in June to give new rice, and really did today. Speaking of which, she found all rice harvested on walking way the other day. Does it mean she has used their private lane between paddies for free?
It makes us feel real beginning of autumn to see golden rice harvest. However, attacked by extraordinary summer typhoons, some of rice ears lean to the ground, looked disappointed this year. Mei-Shun sympathized with them walking along. Now it is over by half: she found them dried on 稲木=inagi or inaki, bamboo hangers constructed on rice paddies after harvest. Bundled ears are spread under sunlight for longer shelflife and better taste.
Oh, poor gingko nuts. Chanthu and Mindulle have blown you down on the ground, still premature. Mei-Shun wishes she could pick you up to eat, yet they say you have amygdalin, a harmful toxin. You remind her of their own gingko, whose green leaves have been torn from branches to land onto balcony floor. Both of you left home too soon, yet had no choice.
Madoka-chan remembers Mei-Shun as her “refreshment mom”, asks treats every time when the latter approaches her stall. Sure, here’s horse cookies today. You will see an apple, your favorite on Wednesday. R. mom heard that you are too thin in the back to let us ride. We therefore plan to serve rich foods to you. Now, shall we go to the dressing space? Wishing your forelock were a bit bushier, r. mom chose this browband. Oh, how cute you look with it!
We have 立秋=risshu, the 13th of 二十四節気 yesterday. It means autumn has come, while nobody could recognize it in the middle of summer. Still, we find it in these ripe golden ears of rice, bowing themselves into the same direction. 案山子, kakashi started their bulwark against flocks of little birds with big appetite.
昇仙峡, Shosenkyo is one of the most beautiful places Mei-Shun recommend you to visit. White, uniquely shaped rocks give wonderful contrast with clean, emerald water especially in winter followed by simmering hoto. It is a miso stew with various vegetables including pumpkin, Japanese white radish, carrot, leak, etc. while meat and hoto noodle. We found it nice in summer as well with egg plant, cucumber, tomato and okra today.
… to you mom, in 草津, Kusatsu on one-month summer vacation there for these several years. She often told Mei-Shun that her birthday gift was a watermelon in her childhood. She and her two younger brothers were so happy to see it cooled in a well. Yes, that fruit worked as a birthday cake for children. Even today, big watermelons seem to symbolize joy of summer, especially for big boys including Shin, his late father and Mei-Shun’s. Shall we go to a greengrocer’s shop to buy one?
鮎, ayu tastes the best from June to August. Mei-Shun has a propensity for it, asked Shin to arrange a lunch date at their favorite Japanese food restaurant in Shinagawa. They know well what she covets, serving a course featuring grilled one. This genuine delicacy is edible from top of head to edge of tail, except for white-salted fins. Oh, rainy season is over in Kanto area. Thank you so much for bringing real summer to us.
meishunkikunoe 