Japanese Surgeon's Daily Life

Shimonoseki

　　I visited Shimonoseki City, located at the westernmost part of Honshu, the biggest island of Japan, to run the Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon on Nov. 3rd. This city has been prosperous since long ago by taking advantage of its location. The peace treaty between Japan and the Qing dynasty was tied in Shimonoseki after the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95). During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) Shimonoseki was the most important supply base. My late grandfather was waiting for deployment to the Chinese Continent as a cavalry soldier in Shimonoseki when the war ended. Anyway I'll eat local specialties and go sightseeing around today.
　　My friend and I were eating "Kawara-soba" in the first picture. Soba noodles on the heated kawara roof tile were delicious, though I didn't know why people started grilling soba on the kawara roof tiles. Then we headed for Ganryujima island which was famous as the duel site for two historic master swordsmen. The statue of the duel stood on a small hill. This tiny island is on the Kan'mon channel, which is so narrow and has a rapid ocean current. Ship handling would be so difficult there. The last picture shows the Kan'mon'kyo bridge straddling the Kan'mon channel.

(Vocabulary)
cavalry (現代の陸軍の) 機甲部隊; 騎兵隊, 騎馬隊
swordsman 剣士、剣客

３日に開催される下関海峡マラソンに参加するため下関へ向かった。この町は古くから栄えた港町。本州の最西端に位置しており、九州は目の前に見える。今日は地元の名物を食べ、この辺りの観光をする。
１枚目の写真で食べているのは瓦そば。瓦の上にそばを置いて焼いている。なぜこのようなスタイルが生まれたのかは知らないが、美味しい。そして日本を代表する剣豪の血統で有名な場所、巌流島へ。この小さな島は関門海峡にある。とても狭い海峡で、流れの速さ、操船の難しさで有名な場所。５枚目が本州と九州を繋ぐ橋、関門大橋である。

Imamiya Jinja Shrine

　　Hearing about "Tama no Koshi" as I wrote in the last entry, we visited that shrine, Imamiya Jinja Shrine. It was surrounded by forest even in a big city, Kyoto. The path from Souken-in Temple to the shrine was comfortable, covered by the mystic atmosphere.
　　Along the former approach to the shrine there lined up a few candy stores who only sold "Aburi-mochi" rice cakes. These rice cakes have a long history and the stores have been run by several generations. I was moved by the appearance of the stores which had been used since hundreds of years ago with some restorations. FYI, there are so many businesses in Japan handed down from generation to generation. An oldest construction company started their business in 578 i.e. 6th century! It's estimated that the number of more than 100 year-old companies in Japan surpasses 100,000. Visiting this shrine, I understood that I just only scratched the surface of Japan's history though I meant to have learned it thoroughly.
　　My friend saw me off at Kyoto Station. I got on a Shinkansen Bullet Train for the first time in ten years or so. The car was upgraded since my last ride. I wondered how far the train would develop. Kyoto is always new and old at the same time. I hope I'll visit again and again.

http://www.imamiyajinja.org/eng/imamiya_ENG/TOP.html

玉の輿の話を聞いてその神社へやって来た。この神社のことは全く知らなかった。大都市京都にありながら森に囲まれていて歴史を感じさせる。総見院からここまでの散歩も荘厳な雰囲気に包まれて心地よかった。旧参道には名物「あぶり餅」を売る店が並んでいて一服した。美味しかった。もう何代もに渡って営まれている古い店のたたずまいに感動。日本には代々継がれる企業・店舗が多い。六世紀から続く建築会社も・・・・・・ある。１００年以上続く企業は１０万社以上あると推定されている。自分なりに歴史を勉強してきたつもりだったが、この神社を見て、上っ面を少しかじった程度でしかないことを思い知った。京都駅まで送ってもらって新幹線を利用した。久しぶりの新幹線で、乗るたびにアップグレードしている。古くて新しい街、京都、また何度も訪れたい。

Souken-in Temple

　　I put up at my friend's house last night. Chatting with him and his family, time went by really fast to us. We knew each other at a crammer for a junior high school. We both passed the exam and spent six years in the same school. Then he proceeded to Kyoto University. We parted at that time, but have kept in touch since then. Our friendship would become more than 50 years.
　　I was taken to Souken-in Temple, which is open to the public for a limited term yearly. Do you know Hideyoshi or Nobunaga? They are prominent figures in Japan's history. This temple was built by Hideyoshi for Nobunaga, whose tomb was set in the grounds of this temple. A variety of things concerning Nobunaga were exhibited in the main building, but taking pictures was prohibited. Knowing that this temple was open to the public on this day, my friend apparently took me to this temple. I'm interested in the history and culture of Japan, and his selection was great.
　　I found an unusual tomb near Nobunaga's and took some pictures. It looked like a famous musician's, whom I didn't know. The tomb was equipped with a music machine and illuminations. I searched him on the internet later and knew that he was a pioneer of Japan's jazz scene.

(Vocabulary)
crammer a special school that prepares people quickly for examinations

昨夜は友人宅に泊めてもらい、楽しい夜だった。お互いの状況を話しながら時間の経つのを忘れた。地元の有名中学を受験するための予備校で知り合い、ともに合格し、彼は京都大学へ進学したので大学からは別だったが、連絡を絶やさず、もう５０年以上の付き合いになる。

今日はまず、総見院を見学することとした。信長の菩提寺が特別に公開されているという。撮影禁止のものが多くて紹介できないが、よくぞ保存してきたものだと驚く。茶室も見学して寺をあとにしたが、奇抜な墓を発見したので載せておく。信長の墓から３０メートルくらいの距離にあった。有名なジャズバンドの構成員らしい。機械は壊れていたが、ボタンを押すと音楽が流れるようにつくってあったのだろうと思われた。

One of the busiest tourist destinations

　　After the last part of the parade had passed by us, I walked toward Chion-in Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, listening to my friend's explanation. I wondered about the huge number of tourists. Judging from their conversation or appearance, 80% of them were overseas visitors. Also there, Chinese people's naughty behaviour was eye-catching. They litter. Lots of souvenir shops used to offer something for test tasting or to try using on the shops' front, but food for test-tasting had disappeared. They seemed to grab and take them in bags to enjoy later. Needless to say, test-tasting should not be "grab", but "pick up with fingers". I recalled my next cruise trip to Taiwan and a headache started, being afraid about confinement among lots of Chinese people.

Jidaisai, Traditional Costume Festival

　　The purpose of this trip was to view "Jidaisai", the traditional Costume Festival. I had planned this trip half a year ago. I'd also like to see my longtime friend at that time. This festival has been held on Oct. 22nd every year, but the day of this year was assigned to the 126th Ten'noh's enthronement ceremony and this festival was to be held on Saturday this weekend. If the weather was not ideal for the festival, the festival was supposed to be postponed to the next day, Sunday, so I understood that I would view the parade of lots of performers wrapped up with traditional clothes even if Saturday was rainy.
　　The parade of Jidaisai started at Kyoto Imperial Palace and continued more than two hours. We set two folding chairs on the roadside and got on standby. The 50th Ten'noh, Kanmu (781- 806 on the throne) started to live in Kyoto in 794 and Kyoto became the principal place in Japan at that time. 1200 years have already passed since then, and the banner which 8th century's ladies had was the slogan to get together to preserve ancient traditions and to develop at the same time toward the 1300th years.
　　Tastelessly, the top runner of the parade was a police car, but the next were mounted policemen specially outfitted with 8th century noble people's costume who were usually positioned in the Kyoto Imperial Palace. I didn't understand the role of the following man in the first picture, but I got it after a while. Several staff members were collecting the feces of horses and cows. Thank you for cleaning!
　　Starting with the Meiji Period (1868 to 1911), the periods were getting old. Ordinary people, adults and kids, nobles, samurai-warriors, famous historical figures, and so on. I enjoyed it very much.

http://www.heianjingu.or.jp/festival/jidaisai.html

京都へ来た理由は時代祭を見るため。半年前から予定していた。長く会っていなかった友人にも会いたかったし。毎年１０月２２日に開催されてきたが、今年は新天皇の即位の礼のため、２６日土曜日に変更された。万一雨の場合翌日に延期なので、雨でも翌日に見ることができる。時代祭は御所を出発し２時間以上のパレード。京都に天皇が住むようになったのは７９４年。その後、１２００年が過ぎ、パレードの先頭には遷都１３００年に向けて頑張っていこうという横断幕。パレードの先頭は、パトカーだった。風情の無いことだと思っていたら次に来たのは、御所を護る警察騎馬隊。後ろを歩く人の役割が不明だったが、ずっと後に続くパレードを見ていてわかった。馬の糞を回収する警察官の人だった。ご苦労様。明治時代の衣装に始まり、だんだんと古くなる。庶民、貴族、その時代の衣装に身を包んだ人たち、歴史上の有名人などの列が２時間も続いた。楽しめた。

In the Grounds

　　While wandering in the grounds of Nanzen-ji Temple, I came across a well-remembered scene. You see the bridge-like building in the following pictures, which was a part of Biwako Sosui that I wrote about in the previous entries. This place has often been utilized in various TV dramas as murder scenes, like this situation; someone finds a body while jogging in the early morning. I uttered "Those films were taken here!" Climbing up the nearby slope, more than 100 year-old waterway worked even today. I felt that all the people concerned in this big project were great to leave a benefit to posterity. Then we entered the main building of Nanzen-ji Temple. Its national treasure-class properties and garden were really wonderful and I was thankful for the efforts of preservation by those who have gone before us.

(Vocabulary)
posterity 子孫, 後世の人々

Nanzen-ji Zen Temple

　　After I saw and admired the achievement of a century ago, I took a walk and found myself in front of "Sanmon Gate" in the premise of Nanzen-ji Zen Temple. I didn't know about "Sanmon Gate", one of the iconic buildings in this temple and my friend explained its history. The most notorious thief in Japan's history, Ishikawa Goemon, utters a cry twice on this gate, "What beautiful scenery", in the also famous Kabuki program. I heard that and climbed up to the lookout floor. The scenery from there was really beautiful!

http://www.nanzen.net/english/

１００年あまり前の偉大な業績を見た後、南禅寺へ。この寺の名前だけは知っていたが、散歩をするうちに気がついたら三門の前に立っていた。名前を知るだけで詳しいことは知らなかったが、友人が説明してくれた。歌舞伎の中で日本の歴史に残る大泥棒がこの三門の上で発する台詞は、歌舞伎を知らない日本人の間でも知られている。『絶景かな、絶景かな』　我々もこの上に上ってみたが、確かに良い景色だった。

Biwako Sosui

　　We climbed up the dead track and reached the end of a small canal, which connects Biwako Lake and Kyoto. The dead track seemed to have been utilized to lift boats to the surface of the canal. This canal was built as the solution of water shortage in Kyoto, and it was apparently also used as the route of transportation of commodities. The former logistics or distribution route is now open to visitors. You can travel on the canal in a boat. When I reached the canal end, a small sightseeing boat was about to start. I wanted to get on the boat someday. The last picture shows a small scale hydroelectric power station. This facility is also run by the water from Biwako Lake.

A Dead Track

　　As soon as my ferry arrived at the Osaka port early in the morning, I headed for Otsu City where my lifelong friend lived. Otsu City is 20km away from Kyoto and is located by Biwako Lake, which is the largest lake in Japan. I left my baggage in his home and went out to Kyoto with him.
　　We changed trains at Yamashina and got off at Keage station. This area was new to me and a dead track in front of the station caught my eye. My friend told me that this area was one of the popular tourist destinations in Kyoto (http://en.biwako-sosui.jp/). He guided me around.

Orange Ferry

　　Japan consists of four main islands which are connected by various transportation. One of them is the ferry boat. A ferry company newly installed two ferry boats between Shikoku, my home, and Osaka last year. I've been eager to get on and I made it eventually. My purpose was fantastic and I'm going to write about it in the next entry. When I arrived at the port, it was dark, so I wasn't able to take pictures of the overall appearance of the ferry. I'll show you inside below. As soon as I entered my room, I opened my bag, grabbed stuff for the bath, and made a beeline to the public bath. It was clean, large, and relaxing. Needless to say, beer after the bath was superfine!

Orange Ferry
https://www.orange-ferry.co.jp/pdf/en_shikoku.pdf

World's Only Emperor's Enthronement in the World's Oldest Country

　　The 126th Ten'noh, who has been frequently translated into "Emperor", proclaimed his enthronement globally today. Lots of people were invited to the ceremony. Precisely saying, 1999 people were in attendance including overseas dignitaries from 191 countries and organizations. Counting only kings, there were nine kings from Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Tonga. Keenly being interested worldwide, CNN broadcast the ceremony live and several international news agencies reported promptly. There would be no other domestic occasions that collect such dignitaries and celebrities, and attracts interest from all over the world.
　　It would be due to the positioning of Ten'noh which is listed as the emperor class, i.e. higher than that of kings in addition to the efforts of the Japanese Royal Household to build friendly relationships with lots of counties in the world. It was the enthronement of the single emperor of the world that we watched today.
　　However, FYI, "Emperor" means having absolute power, just like the emperors of the Roman Empire and Chinese Dynasties, whose nature is completely and totally different from that of Ten'noh. I'm thankful that Ten'noh is highly and globally evaluated, but we Japanese should spread the essential qualities of Ten'noh, saying "Ten'noh" is "Ten'noh", not "Emperor". I raised national flags at the entrance and the living room in my house.

　１０月２２日、即位礼正殿の儀が開かれ、参列者は1999人、海外からも１９１カ国・機関の元首・首脳級が参加した。国王だけでも、オランダ・ウィレム・アレクサンダー国王夫妻、ベルギー・フィリップ国王夫妻、スウェーデン・カール１６世グスタフ国王、スペイン・フェリペ６世国王夫妻、ブータン・ワンチュク国王夫妻、ブルネイ・ボルキア国王、カンボジア・ノロドム・シハモニ国王、マレーシア・アブドラ第１６代国王夫妻、トンガ・ツポウ６世国王夫妻が参列。
　国際的な関心も高く、アメリカのＣＮＮは儀式の模様を中継し、海外の通信社も次々と速報を発した。およそ、一国内の儀式でこれほど多くの元首・首脳級が集まり、国際的にも関心を集めるものはないのではないか。
　これも戦後日本が世界各国と友好関係を築いてきた事に加えて、日本の天皇が国際社会で唯一のエンペラー(皇帝)級、すなわちキング(国王)よりも格式が高いと位置づけられている事も一因だろう。我々が目の当たりにしたのは、世界一古い国の、世界で唯一のエンペラーの即位式なのであろう。
　もっとも、エンペラーとはローマ帝国や中華帝国の皇帝という「権力者」であり、その本質は天皇とはまるで違う。国際社会が高く評価してくれるのは良いが、天皇の本質の理解をもっと広める必要がある。そのためにも、まずは国民の間での理解を深めることが必要だろう。

Kinuyama District

　　One of the high-ranked preparatory schools in western Japan was transferred from the city center of Matsuyama to the outskirts 47 years ago. At the same time, the railroad station was built nearby for students and an increasing number of folk houses were built around the station. This district was originally the place where many poor populations resided and there was an elementary and junior high combined school for North Korean kids which had been built by North Korea or the municipal nursing facility for government welfare-payment recipients. The area was very inconvenient for living, so the price of land was cheap. Though the area was such a place, the housing land development started taking this opportunity. When the school was transferred, I carried something with my teachers and friends. I remember it just like it only happened yesterday. One of my daughters and I graduated from this school. I recall the rural and deserted scenery of half a century ago. When I think of those days, I feel I'm living in a completely different age.
　　However, there is something which didn't change for half a century one way or the other. I dropped in at one of them, the ruins of Kinuyama executing grounds, which is currently maintained by Matsuyama prison. I'd like to write about this site.

４７年前、西日本有数の進学校が松山市中央部から郊外に移転した。それと同時に生徒の便を考え電車の駅が作られ、周辺には住宅が建ち並ぶようになった。 僕の母校であり、長女も通った学校だ。４７年前、移転時に荷物を運んだ覚えがある。また、発展する前のこの地域の様子もはっきりと覚えている。朝鮮学校、生活保護受給者のための介護施設などの施設があった貧しい地区で、元々人の住むような場所では無かったのだが、学校の移転により地域の開発が本格化したのだ。 隔世の感がする。
しかし、この半世紀に変わらなかったものもある。その一つ、衣山刑場跡地にジョギングの途中寄ってみた。なんら変わっていなかった。この場所のことは、いずれ書きたいと思っている。

Ryoma-Dappan marathon (10km)

　　I ran the Ryoma-Dappan marathon (10km category) which might have been canceled due to the rain from the typhoon. Luckily for us however, the typhoon had sheered away eastbound, though it ended up in devastating some areas in eastern Japan a few days later. Anyway, this marathon was held in a mountainous region of Shikoku - one of four big islands of Japan - and its route ran through deep in the forest. As you imagine, its route had a few steep slopes. As I was climbing up a slope, I found a former Defense Minister walking up the slope. I wanted to speak to him, but he was puffing and panting like me. We were mutually not in the condition to talk to each other. I just bowed slightly and passed him. One thing, I admired him for challenging this 10km roadrace for his age. My friends and I were welcomed by local people and we were thankful for their kindness. If I could have time next year, I'll join this marathon.

Parting With my Mercedes SLK200

　　The odometer of my car, SLK200, showed 88000km the other day. It seems that European cars tend to go wrong in various parts when their total mileage goes over 100000km. In addition to that, my car will have to get through an official maintenance four months later, which requires much money. Moreover, two front tires got dangerously worn. I had an option to replace them with new ones and continue to use the car until the delivery of the next car, a TESLA. But, I don't want to buy new tires for my car which I would part with in a few months, so I decided to give up my car now due to the dangerous tires before the delivery of the TESLA.
　　I've been fully satisfied with my car and want to keep it, but it's too luxurious for me to keep two high quality cars at the same time. I'll sell my car to a used car dealer today though I have to put up with a cheap small car until the arrival of the next car.

Last Drive

　　I drove my car for fun in the central region of Shikoku. This mountainous area has the biggest dam in Shikoku, which sustains the population of Kagawa Prefecture. Japan is listed as one of the industrial countries, but Japan is rich also in such rural scenery. I'm going to part with my Mercedes SLK200 soon and this will be the last long drive with it. When driving, an unfamiliar sound from the air suddenly caught my ear. My car was open at that time. I pulled up my car and looked up and found 3 or 4 ospreys were flying from south to north. I've seen more than 10 ospreys parked in the Futenma Air Station in Okinawa. I wish I could ride on them!

Imotaki, Taro Potato Party

　　Japan has four distinct seasons and every season has its own amusement. One of the autumnal events in Ehime prefecture is "Imotaki" party. "Imo" means potato and "taki" means boiling. My colleagues and I ate a huge pot of hot and sweet soup with all kinds of root vegetables, including taro potato and chicken.
　　To tell the truth, and originally the party should be so, I wanted to enjoy them outside viewing the moon, but it was cloudy and chilly, so the party was held indoors. The party was also an annual event of my hospital and all the fee was paid by the company. That means, all the meals and drinks were free. The following first picture was shot when I went to the pot to take another helping. Everyone is smiling!

(Vocabulary)
taro 里芋

Charging System Installation

　　I had the Tesla's charging system installed. The electricity line to my house is put together with that of cable TV, internet and security service into a single pole which is connected to the house via underground and is shown in the first picture. This pole is designed to make the appearance of the house better. I don't know its name in English, but I hope you'll understand my words from the picture.
　　The problem was how to connect between the pole and the wall of the garage on which the charging system was to be installed. The ground is concreted and digging up would be costly. The solution was to put up another pole near the garage and to make the electric line train in the air. You can see the electric line connecting two poles loosely in the 5th picture. This line doesn't come in sight when you stand in front of the house. It's nice that it doesn't affect the appearance of the house. The line was buried from the second pole and reached the wall. The installation work took two days and I'm fully satisfied with their work. I'm just waiting for the delivery of Tesla Model 3.

Numb

I was totally numb today:
　　An old university acquaintance, who was a few years senior to me, asked me to do some work in his hospital last week. He and I spent a few years together on the same campus, and he often helped me on various occasions. Currently, he runs a hospital in Hiroshima Prefecture and suffers from the shortage of surgeons. I decided to join his surgical team as a part-time surgeon at his request today. I headed for his hospital by car.
　　I dropped in at Kurushima Kaikyo Rest Area to take a short rest on the way to the destination. The following pictures were taken at that time. The bridges in the pictures connect Honshu and Shikoku. Anyway, I found several full body massage chairs set in the resting room, and anyone was allowed to freely use them within 15 minutes. I took one of them and got a massage. Its mechanical massage was really relaxing and before you know it, I fell asleep. I put my personal bag aside before the massage and when I stood up from the chair, I forgot to take it. After one hour's drive, I found that I had left my bag there. I was totally numb as several valuables were in the bag. I immediately called the information desk of the Area and knew that someone had already taken my bag to the desk. I didn't know his/her name, but I was really grateful.

(Vocabulary)
numb
〈手・足などが〉 感覚のなくなった, 麻痺(まひ)した, かじかんだ
(ショック・悲しみなどで) ぼう然とした, 頭が真っ白になった .

大学時代の先輩から手術の応援を依頼され、広島県へ向かう途中、四国から広島県へ渡る直前のサービスエリアで休憩を取った。写真はそのときに撮ったもの。ここに疲れたドライバー用に無料のマッサージ椅子があった。一人１５分まで使えたので利用することにした。そのとき、肩から掛けていたボディバッグを椅子の横へ置いて、そのまま忘れてサービスエリアを出てしまった。１時間後に気づいた。サービスエリアへ電話をしたら、誰かが届けてくれて保管されていた。助かった～～　中には現金、クレジットカードなど貴重品だらけ。現金は良いとして、免許証やらクレジットカードなどが盗られたら後の手続きがめんどい。どこの誰かはわからないが、発見者の善意に感謝！

Street Terrace

　　While wandering in the European streets, you often find street terraces, but I was afraid if it was too hot or too cool, or I hated them as an obstruction for pedestrians. Today, my family went out for dinner. The restaurant was already occupied, but outside seats were open. We preferred an air-conditioned room, but we seated at the outside terrace. My eyes often met other's who were walking by us, but it was not bad to eat on the busy street.

Kochi Gokoku-jinja Shrine

　　Gokoku-jinja Shrines are often seen across Japan. At least more than 40 shrines exist, but they might not be well known abroad. Accurately and literally translated, Gokoku-jinja means "guardian of the state shrine", or "a shrine for the war dead", i.e., it's for honoring the war dead and praying for divine protection.
　　I was asked to work at a hospital in Kochi prefecture today and visited Kochi Gokoku-jinja Shrine before work. The shrine was deeply quiet in a little chilly air. Several monuments to the dead were built. I put my hands together at every monument.