Japanese Surgeon's Daily Life

Reunion

　　My junior and high school, which was established by the Dominican Order, celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation. A time span of 60 years is really important for Japanese people. Do you know why? I wonder whether my English skills will be good enough to make the notion successfully understood, but I'll try to explain the Oriental Zodiac, which is a common concept for Asian people, but would be unfamiliar to Western people.
　　In some Asian countries, like Japan and China, 12 kinds of animal symbols are assigned to every single year by rotation; a mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog, or boar. Once the boar finishes, it revolves back to the mouse. I was born in the year of the dog and I'm referred to as a man of the year in the year of dog, i.e. every 12 years. Every year, people at the age of multiples of 12 such as 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108 and 120 (if alive) are called a man or woman of the year, because they were born in the same Zodiac symbol's year. 2012 is the year of the dragon and next year will be the year of the snake. Snakes are considered auspicious in 2013 and lots of items associated with them would be found across the country.
　　Additionally, there's another system that rotates 10 kinds of symbols. One system has 12 kinds of animal symbols and the other has 10 kinds. Considering the combination of both systems, all the years come to rotate every 60 years. The age of 60 is called "Kanreki", which means the full rotation of the years, and is regarded as auspicious.
　　Did you understand the rough explanation of 60 years, Kanreki in Japanese?
　　The picture shows the second party of the 19th graduates. All of them are leading figures in their respective fields.

Umimori, Guard Of Coast 海守

　　Arrogant China is desirous of taking control of the Japanese territory of Senkaku Islands, which are located in the southwest of Japan. On the islands, before the last war, more than hundreds of Japanese people used to live for processing marine products like dried bonitos and feather from albatross. Due to the outbreak of the Greater East Asian War, the residents had to give up their work. No Chinese had ever lived on the islands. Additionally there is lots of evidence to prove the validity of Japan's ownership.
　　On the other hand, China has made lots of effort to eliminate old maps of their own from Japan since the seventies, because those maps, although they were printed in China, clearly indicate Japanese sovereignty over the islands. Every one of the old maps printed in China, imported into Japan and stored in used bookstores in Japan, have been bought up by Chinese agents. Even maps stored in the National Diet Library were stolen or damaged.
　　The arrogance of China woke up lots of Japanese people, who had been sleeping under the long-lasting peace. Then, they came to know the importance of the defense of the coast. That's why a number of people, including me, joined a voluntary body, "Umimori", literally the guard of the coast. The members sometimes get together to clean up the beach, or constantly pay attention to the changes of the sea. The picture shows my membership card.

(Vocabulary)
desirous of sth (フォーマル) ＜…＞を望んで
National Diet Library〔【略】NDL〕 国立国会図書館
validity  正当性, 妥当性; (切符・文書などの) 有効性; 法的な有効性, 合法性
body [C] 団体, 組織
The American Medical Association is the doctors' main professional body. 米国医師会は医師の主要な職業団体である．

Kamikaze, Special Attack Force

　　More than 2600 years have passed since the foundation of Japan. However, Japan hasn't always stayed independent during this span of existence. Japan was governed by the U.S. for 6 years and 8 months about 60 years ago. The products manufactured in Japan during the governed period were stamped as "Made in Occupied Japan". That is to say, Japan wasn't independent for nearly seven years. Japan was forced to take a major role of minesweeping around the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War. It led to the successful invasion of U.N. troops onto the coast of Incheon and consequently the restoration of South Korea, but there are no appreciative words for Japan on the monument standing at Panmunjom, but it's natural because the independent nation of Japan didn't exist at that time.
　　In 1952, Japan finally attained its independence after all sorts of troubles and difficulties. However, Japan has completely changed. We were brainwashed and our Constitution, which was drawn up and forced on us by the U.S. 60 years ago, is still highly prized, while Germany, which had likewise lost the war, has modified their Constitution more than 50 times.
　　Oct. 25th is the day when the suicide attacks by fighters started. The leader of the first attack team was from Saijo City near my hometown. He left his newly-wed wife, charged toward an aircraft carrier and sank it.
　　What impressions will people have about the Greater East Asian War several hundreds years from now?

(Vocabulary)
after all sorts of troubles and difficulties  幾多の紆余曲折を乗り越えて

Seto Inland Sea

　　Seto Inland Sea, called "Setonaikai" in Japanese, is the waters between Shikoku and Honshu, both of which are the two of four main islands in Japan. In this area, there are lots of small islands and you can view the beautiful scenery composed of those small and tiny islands by several means. One of them is cycling. Honshu and Shikoku are connected by three routes which respectively consist of several bridges connecting small islands. One of these three routes has a bicycle path beside the main road for the vehicles. I enjoyed the landscapes from crossing the bridge and from a sightseeing boat later, which set off from a few ports on the route. I'll show you pictures shot from onboard. You would be amazed to see the rapid currents and beautiful sea.
　　I'd add one thing about a unique channel, called Kurushima Channel, in the area. It is unique in a way that ships sometimes could run through on the left side. As you know, ships must pass each other on the right side, regulated by  international law, when they face each other in a narrow space. However, in Kurushima Channel the route sometimes alternates between the right and the left. Kurushima Channel is the only place in the world where ships pass on the left side. The sea traffic control constantly monitors the currents and commands all the ships in the channel to run right or left.

(Vocabulary)
waters 《複数扱い》水域, 近海, 領海
the coastal waters of Alaska  アラスカの沿岸水域
They got permission to fish in Japanese waters.  日本領海内での漁が許可された．

Cycling

　　I joined an annual cycle ride event sponsored by Imabari City which is located near my hometown, Matsuyama City. As I wrote in another entry, Imabari City is the Shikoku-side terminal place of the Shimanami Kaido Route, one of three routes connecting Shikoku and Kyushu, both of which are the biggest and smallest islands of four big islands of Japan. The organizer arranged three routes, 20km, 40km and 100km. I chose the middle, 40km. I competed and successfully finished the distance of 100km last year and it was really hard. That's why.
　　Just before the departure after the ceremonial event, I came across an old friend from my elementary school, nearly a half century long friend. He was suited up in pink. Ordinary middle-aged Japanese people tend to avoid flashy colors, but the pink suited him. I'll post a picture of us.

Star Alliance Gold Member

　　I became a member of the Star Alliance Gold! I made a round trip to Canada twice this year. The destinations were Vancouver and Prince Edward Island via Toronto. I also utilized domestic flights more than usual this year. As a result, the invitation card was delivered from ANA, All Nippon Airways. I didn't know exactly how valuable its membership was and I learned about it on the website of ANA.
　　I realized how wonderful membership of Star Alliance Gold was. Each passenger has to follow the baggage allowance. When you go skiing, you have to cope with this restriction; skis, poles, ski boots, bulky clothing and other equipment, lots of items you have to carry. This membership loosens the restrictions on the number and the weight of your baggage.
　　As for my favorite, Air Canada, they handle skis, poles and ski boots as an exception and don't count the weight and the number of bags into the regulated weight and number. Naturally, they say, "Passengers shall not put anything other than skis, poles and boots in the designated bags." However, I've committed some fraudulent acts, I'm sorry! I make a confession. I have often put rice into my ski boots to save the space and weight of my suitcase, taking advantage of their courtesy. So, this membership should be helpful from now on.

(Vocabulary)
baggage allowance  [U] (特に飛行機への) 持ち込み可能手荷物（の量）
fraudulent  詐欺（行為）の, 不正の

Edible Chrysanthemum and Water

　　A parcel from an acquaintance arrived today. What the first picture shows were the contents. They were edible chrysanthemums and I've never seen that kind of chrysanthemum until today. They originated from Yamagata prefecture, which is located in the northern part of Honshu which is the biggest island of the Japanese archipelago. My acquaintance privately obtained their seeds and raised them by himself. They seems to be a highly appreciated expensive ingredient in Japanese cuisine. My wife prepared them following the way he suggested. Its crispy texture and aroma were great. Japanese cuisine must be emphasized with it.
　　Japan is a small country, but has a variety of climates due to its longitudinal shape from the subpolar to the subtropical region. Moreover, Japan has an abundant supply of water nationwide. The success of the cultivation of this kind of chrysanthemum would be attributed to the diversity of climate and abundant clean water.
　　Talking of water, when I joined an event which was held by the joint association of Japanese sake breweries around my hometown on October 5th, the bottles shown in the next picture were served at first. They were bottled water which had been used for producing sake in respective breweries. Producing nice sake absolutely requires clean water. Those bottles of water were the pride of each brewer. I am really thankful that Japan is rich in water.

Commute Route

　　I can choose one of three ways for commuting such as my scooter, my car and the train. I adopt one of them every morning depending on the weather and my work status. After night duty, because I'm afraid that I might get sleepy, I often utilize the train. On the other hand, when I can get back home in the evening and the weather is fine, I usually choose my scooter and enjoy riding it. My wife sometimes says that she can't differentiate commuting from just a fun ride seeing my preparation for commuting. Anyway, the picture was shot on the way to my office this morning.