東山魁夷(=Higashi-yama Kai-i) is one of favorite artists for Shin, Mei-Shun and her late father. Since his works on fusuma, paper sliding door of 唐招提寺 are exhibited at a museum in Mito, they planned to drive there today expecting less crowd. Oh? you have a TV conference from noon? Hum, it is the first of four-day off for him. He would be allowed to do as likened, yet half tomorrow followed by none on Sunday.
Mei-Shun loves 鳩サブレー. It is popular sablé made in 鎌倉, reminds her of high school days — she made an excursion to there with several classmates in the first grade. Thank you so much, Professor K. Mei-Shun worked at a research institute as his secretary years ago. Really a gentleman and ideal boss, he once gave her a translation job. It continues to date, supports her stage performance every year.
Here is 治部椀=jibu-wan, simmered vegetables, duck meat and 簾麩=sudare-fu, wheat gluten cake shaped like a bamboo blind dressed with thick starchy sauce served in a soup bowl. This is one of favorite dishes for Shin and Mei-Shun at a restaurant in Shinagawa, while reminds the latter of a cooking book she bought in preparation for marriage. It featured 治部煮 among ABCs of Japanese cuisine.
Such a day is called 冬日和=fuyu-biyori, mom says. My favorite time in winter comes every morning: Aladdin wakes up to give out warm wind a minute before 5:00, while mom opens the cage door calling my name. Still dark outdoors, I check around my territory. Hi, Cymby, you look fine. But how freezing your realm is in stairs hall, hiss! Hunger suddenly caught me. Mom, breakfast please. By the way, I’ve not seen dad … is he all right? Coming back from the U.S. on Sunday? That’s terrific, purr.
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Mei-Shun visited 乙戸沼 Park — long time no see. Winter mornings are too cold and dark to be there after driving Shin to the nearest station, so she has used to walk to the nearest shrine since around 大雪, the third of winter 二十四節気. Amazingly beautiful it is. A flock of wild ducks play on the pond with white dots of swans. Yuri-kamome or Larus ridibundus, great to see you here. It looks like grey herons rest on each fountain nozzle, or are you cormorants?
Mei-Shun drove mom-in-law to one of major shrines in Japan 八坂神社=yasaka-jinja whose headquarters is located in Kyoto. It is called 祇園さん as well, since the famous Gion Festival is hosted by them. Our nearest branch of 八坂神社 was late dad-in-law’s favorite. He used to buy something at a food stand along a path to the shrine to warm up our hands during midnight queuing for hours. 17 years later, we quietly spend 30 minutes in sunshine to worship.
Shin never checks up pockets after coming home, makes his wife wash train tickets so often. This time, one for a bullet train accompanied him from Taiwan. Hum, amazing technique in paper and printing — not so twisted in the washing machine, readable letters. They make sense for Mei-Shun who has learned Chinese on the radio. Y/M/D, car and seat numbers, paid by a credit card, for an adult. For your safety, please do not hesitate to use elevators if you are with big luggage or elderly.
風流堂=furyu-do, based in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture is on Mei-Shun’s favorite Japanese sweets shop list. When their products were available at the nearest department store, she used to visit there to buy seasonal gifts; 御中元=o-chugen in summer, 御歳暮=o-seibo in winter. However, as informed that the store will be closed soon, she started internet shopping. 風流堂 is so kind to send her a handwritten letter and a little gift attached to ordered goods.
Following yesterday, another natural disaster might beat us tomorrow — snowstorm. If really happened in November, it would be the second record after the first one 54 years ago, they say. It rains a little, chilly in Tokyo today. Buildings on Namiki Street, Ginza are so charming adorned with Christmas lights and ornaments. Convey our warm regards to such amusement, while never to unseasonable Snow White.
It really is in Tsukuba right now. Most of main streets are trimmed by trees beautifully bloom in spring, colored in autumn. Mei-Shun’s favorite includes Japanese maple whose coats depend on daily temperature and weather in summer especially. Perhaps the latter made one yellow instead of red, with already browned leaves on the top. Another keeps green while in part turning into bright red. The only problem is that they are too attractive to keep drivers’ eyes on the road.
