Japanese Surgeon's Daily Life

Eminoe Prospect

　　Eminoe Prospect was on my rough road map and we assumed that the prospect was for the rugged coastline of the island. The path to the prospect was partially so narrow and winding that cars couldn't pass each other. Having passed the section of the expansion work of the road, we found ourselves in the parking lot, which seemed to be new. I imagined that the parking space was recently built.
　　We were surprised to see the scenery from the prospect. The coastline was naturally wonderful, but the rocket launching site was just in front of us. The prospect was located out of the off-limits area during the launching and I thought that this place would be ideal for the launching viewing site.
　　A few benches were set on the elevated site and there was a signboard aside as you see in the following picture. It read that the pair ticket for these benches and a parking ticket will be issued to the taxpayers who paid tax to the town under the new tax system. I've already written about this new tax system. I admired it. It's a really smart idea. The town office can receive the tax from people who live out of the town without any actual expenditure.
　　One thing, the sign on the public restroom. See the pictures below. You can easily imagine that this place is for viewing the rocket launching and its site.

 

https://kumo.typepad.jp/weblog/2017/04/new-system-on-tax.html

恵美之江展望公園

手元のラフな地図に展望公園とあるので島の東海岸を眺める場所かと思って恵美之江展望公園に立ち寄った。舗装はされているものの離合の難しい細い道を登っていき、拡張工事中の場所を過ぎると、駐車場があった。設備がきれいなのでこの２～３年以内に出来た施設だと思う。

到着して景色を見て驚いた。海岸線はもちろん見事なのだが、ロケット発射場が目の前だ。この公園はロケット発射時には立入禁止とされる範囲の外にあり、ロケット発射の見物には最適地と思われた。そして、一段高い位置にベンチがセットしてあった。そして、写真のような看板が、、、ふるさと納税の高額納税者にはこの場所のペアチケットが発行されるとある。調べてみると３０万円。利用価値あり！この納税については過去に説明したのでそちらをご覧ください。

愉快だったのが、便所のマーク。誰の発案だろうか、面白い！そのユーモアに脱帽！

Caves at Seashore, "Chikura no Iwaya"

　　We took a small inn, Shimayado HOPE, located in the south of the island, as there are many sightseeing spots in the southern area. This inn was not bad, but there were several other attractive inns, so we'd like to stay at some other inns.
　　If "Chikura no Iwaya" was translated into English literally and correctly, it means lots of caves. The expression, "Chikura" appears in Japanese mythologies and most Japanese wouldn't know that. I was interested in who had named that. He or she must have been a man or woman of education.
　　F.Y.I. the U.S. deprived Japanese of its mythology after the war, but now not a few people started to learn their own mythology and history by themselves. I'm very glad to know that. As for me, my grandfather was highly educated and he was my teacher of Japanese culture.
　　By the way, these caves are at the seaside and sightseers must take time into account to visit the site. When we were walking in the caves, tides were starting to flood. We left there in fluster. We'll revisit tomorrow, taking the ebb and flow time into consideration.

島宿ＨＯＰＥ

千座の岩屋 （ちくらのいわや）

　今回は島の南部にある島宿ＨＯＰＥという宿に泊まった。観光スポットが多いからこの地域を選んだが、宿の写真を撮り忘れた。この宿の周辺には他にもいろいろな宿がある。この宿も良かったがまた他の宿にも泊まってみたい。
　千座の岩屋とはたくさんの洞窟という意味だが、この漢字を書いて「ちくら」と読ませるのは日本神話に詳しい人物の命名か？戦後、アメリカにより日本の神話は奪われかけたが、今また独力で学ぶ人が増えてきている。喜ばしいことだ。
　観光には潮の満ち引きを計算していかなければならない。我々は潮が満ち始める時間に行ったので、慌てて退散した。宿から１０分なので明日もう一度来て見よう。

Shipwreck of Bark Cashmere

　　Using a rough map for sightseers, which I got at the airport, as a reference, we went south along the east coast. A small signpost caught my eye on the way and we stopped by at a tiny fisherman's port. Walking on the small path, I found a monument describing the half-abandoned wooden house behind the monument as the house in which local people took care of crew members of the Bark Cashmere. Immediately I looked for information on Bark Cashmere on the net and found a historical fact. The ship was involved in a severe storm in September 1885. American Bark Cashmere was washed ashore at this village. People on the island got together and took sincere care of them. Consequently, all crew members and passengers were able to return their hometown.
　　Thinking of the times of the incident, they would have encountered the typhoon. Tanegashima island is on the routine route of typhoons from early summer to fall.

Bark Cashmere

(Vocabulary)
bark   バーク船（3本マストで前2本は横帆）

カシミヤ号遭難

空港で見つけた簡単な地図を頼りに最北端から南下していて小さな看板を見つけたので左折して海岸に出てみた。写真は車を駐めて海岸に出る道の途中で見つけた記念碑。その場でネット上の情報を探した。今から１３５年前の１８８５年９月、種子島の沖でアメリカの商船・カシミア号が嵐にあい、乗組員が西之表市の立山海岸などに漂着した。集落民全員で救助に当たり、手厚く介抱した結果、乗組員は無事帰国することができ、海岸には、救助の石碑が建てられ、その史実を語り継いでいる。とのこと。

９月ということは恐らく台風に遭遇したのだろう。前に書いたポルトガル人のみならず、多くの船がこれまで漂着したのだろうなあ。

Kisikazaki Lighthouse

　　We arrived at Kisikazaki Lighthouse located at the northernmost point of the island. When the sky is clear, you can see Kyushu, but we couldn't. I found the ruin of the cannon base at the same place. This place must surely have been an important point of water transport. Any ruin of the war didn't read on the map for tourists, but I wondered that lots of things associated with the war would remain on the island.

喜志鹿埼灯台（きしかざき）に到着。種子島の最北端。曇っていて九州は確認できなかった。戦争中の砲台跡が残されていた。手元のパンフレットには載っていないがこの島にも戦跡も多く残っているのではないだろうか。

Urata Beach

　　Going up north along the west coast, I headed for the northernmost point of the island. I stopped by a beautiful beach called Urata Beach. Very fine white sand, calm waves in the cove, surrounded by the forest, but there were few people. Stalls were closed. It might be due to the Wuhan virus crisis.

島の西海岸を北上して最北端に向かった。途中立ち寄ったビーチは浦田海水浴場。細かい白い砂、穏やかな波、周りを森林に囲まれた入江となっていて、きれいなビーチだったが、人はほとんどいない。海の店は閉店。これも武漢ウイルスのためなのだろう。

An Old Folk House, Gessoutei

　　Next was an old folk house, "Gessoutei," in which the lord of Tanegashima had lived in the early Meiji Era. This old wooden house was built in 1793, but well-preserved. Some local volunteer guides showed us how to use a matchlock gun and they let me handle the gun. It was considerably heavy and it required troublesome procedures to shoot another shot after every single shot. If it rains, you need to make sure the fire does not go out. I imagined that people of other days would be spending harder days in many ways.

(Vocabulary)
put out (明かり、火など）を消す
people of other days 　昔の人々

次に訪れたのが月窓亭。種子島の主が住んでいたという建物。１７９３年に建てられた木造の家だが、保存状態が良く、内部の広間で地元のボランティアが建物の由来と火縄銃の扱いについて説明してくれた。火縄銃に初めて触れたが、重い！一発撃ったら次に撃つまでの手順が長い。雨が降ったら使いづらい、、、など昔の人は何でも大変だったなあと感慨にふける。

Introduction of Guns

　　I headed for the Gun Museum. This island is well known as the place to which guns had been brought from Portugal in 1543. A Ming's ship on which the Portuguese were on board was washed ashore at Kadokura Cape at the southernmost tip of Tanegashima Island. The feudal lord of the island, Tanegashima Tokitaka, spent a fortune for two guns from the Portuguese and ordered his subordinates to produce the same one. Consequently, more powerful guns than the original began to be produced within a year. The technologies about guns were informed to the nerve center of those days, present Osaka, and mass production of the guns started. Not only the history of the guns, but other cultural assets of this island were also displayed.
　　A funny story is handed down. Other Portuguese came to the island with lots of guns to make money a few years later. The lord paid huge money for only two guns, so they'd expect that they would get a lot of money, but their offer was rejected. There were already more sophisticated guns in Japan.

(Vocabulary)
the Ming dynasty 明朝
be washed ashore 漂着する

まず向かったのが、鉄砲館。この島は日本に初めて鉄砲がもたらされた島として名を知られている。１５４３年南端の門倉岬にポルトガル人を乗せた一隻の明の船が漂着した。この島を治めていた種子島時尭（ときたか）は大金をはたいて二丁の鉄砲を購入し、１年を待たずして国産化に成功。この銃は関西へ伝えられ瞬く間に大量生産が始まった。鉄砲館はこの島の文化史を知ることの出来る貴重な博物館となっている。ポルトガルから伝わった銃だけの展示かと思っていたが、国産第一号の銃を始め、国内外の鉄砲約１００丁が展示されていた。

My Wife Arrived

　　My task was done until the morning of 27th. I'd enjoy sightseeing from now on. An office clerk took me to the hotel which I booked in advance. I deposited my possessions at the hotel and went to the airport to pick my wife up by a rent-a-car. It took an hour and 35 minutes from Kagoshima to Tanegashima by a high-speed boat, but only 40 minutes by air. I took pictures of the plane which had just arrived.

２７日の朝までで仕事は終了。これからはこの島の観光を楽しむ。病院スタッフに宿まで送ってもらい荷物を預けて、宿でレンタカーを借りた。そして空港へかみさんを迎えに行く。
高速船だと所要時間は１時間３５分だが飛行機だと４０分。あっという間に着く。到着した飛行機を撮影した。

Dialysis Room

　　Everything starts early in the dialysis room. Staff members start preparation of the circuit, called priming, at 6 o'clock if not sooner. I visited the room after their priming work and before patients came in to see and say hello to my old friend and instructor at the same time. To tell the truth, a medical engineer who worked in this dialysis room used to be my instructor of dialysis, though he was a little younger than me. He reached the officially-set retirement age last year, but was still exceptionally working, his experience being rated highly. We took pictures for our shared friends in the dialysis room.
　　About 30 years ago, we had climbed the famed Hotaka mountains, ascending via Karasawa valley, standing at the summit of Mt. Okuhotaka, then descending to Kamikochi. I remembered our climbing just like yesterday. Not having enough time for chatting, we promised to meet with both wives somewhere outside the hospital.

(Vocabulary)
Dialysis Room 透析室
circuit 透析回路
if not sooner 遅くとも




透析室の朝は早い。６時頃には午前の透析のためのプライミングが始まる。この透析室に僕が２０代の頃、透析を習ったＭＥが務めている。昨年で定年になったのだが、経験を買われて今も勤務している。数日前に３０年ぶりの再会をし、当時の仲間に見てもらうために写真を撮影。彼とは穂高に一緒に登ったことがある。涸沢から上り、奧穂高へ登頂して上高地へ下山。実に懐かしい。職場ではゆっくり話が出来ないので、島を離れる前にどこかで会う約束をした。

Vegetation

　　Today is July 24th. I looked out of the window after the evening shower. There's no high mountain and the vegetation around was different from my hometown. I'd like to go and see the island, but I had to stay in the hospital a few more days.

(Vocabulary)
vegetation (集合的に) 植物, 草木,植生





今日は２４日、夕立の後、外を眺めた。高い山がない。そして植生は明らかに愛媛県とは違う。早く街を探検してみたいが、あと数日の勤務がある。

Yakushima Island

　　After I spent a hectic day, getting back to my room, the magnificent shape of Yakushima Island caught my eye. I've never been there, but some doctors who had instructed me in my resident days were living on it. I'd like to visit the island and show my gratitude to them.

夕方カーテンを開けると、昨日、鹿児島からの船からは眺められなかった屋久島が目の前にあった。あの島には世話になった先輩がいる。必ず挨拶に行きたいと思っている。

To Tanegashima

　　"Rocket 1" was the nickname of my boat, the derived type of boeing 929. I wanted to feel the sense of its floating up, but I found myself already floated a few minutes after the departure. Its speed was really high as I had heard of. Viewing Sakurajima from its southern side, Mt. Kaimondake showed up into the right side window. I know there are some hot spas at the base of this mountain. This area is also one of my favorite spa areas.
　　As the boat turned left just south of Satamisaki Cape, the wave swell got a little strong, but wasn't so hard to make me sick. The boat was making its way smoothly. Satamisaki Cape is the southernmost point of Kyushu and I've never been there. I wanted to visit there some day by land. I'll show you the pictures of Sakurajima and Mt. Kaimondake with the maps.
　　A hospital clerk picked me up at Nishinoomote Port. She told me that it would take an hour to the hospital. The island was larger than I expected. The last picture is taken from my room in the hospital. I would work here for the coming four days.

(Vocabulary)
swell 《常に単数形で》 (波の) うねり
by land 陸路で

船は静かに岸壁を離れた。浮上する瞬間を感じたかったが知らぬ間に浮上していた。スピードはさすがに速い。南側から桜島を眺めていたら右側の窓に開聞岳。ここにも有名な温泉がある。いつか訪れたい。

船は佐多岬を回り込んで外海へ出た。少し揺れが出てきたがたいしたことはない。船は快走している。これほど早くて乗り心地が良いとは意外。佐多岬にも陸路から行ってみたい。九州最南端の岬だ。下に船の位置を示す地図と共に、桜島、開聞岳、佐多岬の写真を載せる。

西之表の港には病院スタッフの迎えがあった。病院まで一時間かかるという。なんと、そんなに大きい島なのか？最後の写真は当直室から撮影したもの。外へ出られるのはしばらく先で、この病院に４日ほど籠もって仕事をする。

At Port

　　Getting my possessions in the hotel, I headed for the port, but I was exhausted by the extreme heat and fled into Tully's coffee shop. Then I took a taxi to the port, though the distance was only 1 km or so. After purchasing my ticket, I wasn't able to get away from beer! The jetfoils which I saw yesterday was waiting with its wing sunken.

ホテルで荷物を受け取り港へ向かうがやはり暑さに参ってしまった。タリーズコーヒーへ逃げ込み１時間を過ごし、気を取り直して港へわずか１ｋｍ程度の距離だがタクシーで。船のチケットを購入してビールを一杯！　昨日見たジェットフォイルは羽根を沈めていた。いよいよ種子島へ向かう！

Saigo Cave

　　It was burning hot also on 22nd. I searched for the information on the last few days of Saigo Takamori last night and knew that a cave in which Saigo had been hiding with his comrade for a few days was preserved. Having my possessions kept at the front desk, I headed for the cave, but I couldn't put up with the sweltering heat and took a taxi up to the hill. Viewing the Sakurajima and going down a little, there was the cave. I felt really sorry to know that Saigo spent his last few days in such a dark and gloomy place. I walked down the route along which Saigo must have walked. He was shot on the way and reached his ending place which I visited yesterday.

２２日も強烈な暑さだった。昨夜、西郷の最後の数日の様子を調べた。なくなる前の数日間隠れていた洞窟が残っていることを知り向かった。丘の上にあり、あまりの暑さに閉口。タクシーを使って丘の上まで登った。雄大な桜島を眺めて少し下ったところに洞窟を見つけた。数日間とは言えここで過ごしたとはあまりにも寂しい。洞窟を出て西郷が歩いたであろう道を下った。途中で狙撃され負傷、そして昨日も訪れた終焉の地に至る。

Wandering in Kagoshima City

　　I entered Kagoshima city by bus from the airport. About 150 years ago, Kagoshima was a nerve center to drive the Meiji Restoration. I'd like to visit several historic places associated with one of the biggest turning points of Japan. Though I got time for sightseeing by the abrupt change of my flight plan, I didn't have preparations, so I decided to walk around the hotel following the recommendation of the front desk.
　　I dropped in at some places relevant to Saigo Takamori with hasty steps. I passed his statue and reached the place of his death, where he killed himself by committing hara-kiri. I don't have enough knowledge on him to write about him. If you are interested in him, search for his records. He is still an existence to receive adoration and respect from most Japanese people.
　　My feet took me to the port of Kagoshima. Sakurajima, an active volcano and a symbol of Kagoshima, magnificently stood off the shore. I understand that we are restricted to reach its summit for security reasons, and I'd like to come to its foot some day.
　　Then I found two weird-shaped boats moored. That's the boat which I would get on board tomorrow. I checked about these boats on the net and knew that they were an improved version of a Boeing 929 Jetfoil. The whale-tale like parts jutted out from the bow, go under the sea and generate floating power like the wings of planes. Anyway, I was surprised to know that Boeing produced high-speed ships as I assumed that Boeing was an aircraft company. I wanted to go downtown at night, but I refrained and ate a simple supper at the hotel for fear of catching Covid-19.

(Vocabulary)
adoration 熱愛, 敬慕 (文) 崇拝, 崇敬
a look of adoration 敬慕のまなざし

空港からバスで移動して夕方に鹿児島に着いた。鹿児島は明治維新の原動力となった土地柄。そのため、歴史フリークの自分としては訪れたい場所が多い。元々夜の便で到着し、一泊して船で種子島に向かう予定だったので、鹿児島市内の観光については何も考えていなかった。取りあえず、ホテルでもらった観光名所の内、近場を回ってみることにした。

とはいえ、夕暮れまでに数時間しかない。駆け足で西郷隆盛にまつわる場所を訪問した。彼の銅像の前を通り過ぎ、切腹した場所へ。今は石碑が建っている。彼のことを英語で詳しく書く知識を持ち合わせていない。興味を持たれた方は是非、自分で調べてみて欲しい。多くの日本人が尊崇の念をもつ偉人だ。

足の向くまま海岸に出た。目の前には活火山、鹿児島県の象徴、桜島がそびえていた。今は山頂までは登れない。危険があるため制限されている。ただ、麓まではいつか行ってみたい。

さらに当てもなく海岸をふらついていると、妙な形の船を見つけた。これこそ、明日乗る予定のジェットフォイル。この夜、その仕組みを調べていて知った。元々はアメリカ製、Boeing 929 Jetfoilという。現在は日本でライセンス生産されているらしい。舳先の前に突き出ているのが海中に入り、羽根となり揚力を生み出す。明日が楽しみだ。夜は街に飲みに出かけたいところだが、ウイルス対策でホテルでじっと我慢、一人飲み。

An Influence Of The Wuhan Virus

　　I was to leave Matsuyama for Kagoshima on the evening direct flight on July 21st, but my flight was cancelled. JAL didn't announce the reason, but I thought it might be due to the small number of passengers. Finally I moved to Fukuoka, then headed for Kagoshima. It would be one of the influences of the Chinese origin virus. It was before the pandemic when I booked the flight. However, I was able to enjoy two flights without any additional fee. I was happy, as I like flights.
　　The plane which I got on at Fukuoka airport was new to me. Its door was set in the rear and it was curious for me just due to my lack of experience, but as far as the plane is secure, it's no problem. One thing, my seat was next to its propeller. It was a nuisance and uneasy to me that such awfully rapidly rotating equipment was beside me. On-flight service was so-so. Only a wet towel and a small bottle of tea were delivered. CAs were mostly seated to avoid the closeness to passengers.

　夜の便で鹿児島へ移動して、翌日の船便で種子島へ行くつもりだったが昼前に出発して福岡空港を経由して鹿児島へ到着。中国発のウイルスによる減便の影響を受けた。飛行機が好きなので追加料金なく２回乗れたのは悪くは無かったが。
　福岡からの飛行機は初めて乗る機材。後ろからの乗り降りにはビックリしたが、安全で効率的ならどの位置から乗っても問題は無い。ただ、座席は写真のような場所。離陸するとプロペラは視界の妨げにはならなかったが、こんなものがすぐそばにあると落ち着かない。
　機内サービスはやはりウイルスのせいで最小限。写真にあるお茶を飲みながら眼下に広がる九州を眺めて過ごした。

 

Ask For Help

　　About half a year ago, I was asked to work for a few days from a municipality operating hospital on a small island located to the south of Kyushu. That island, Tanegashima, is badly off for doctors, and they wanted me to stay at the hospital for four days in July. They'll offer transportation expenses except my salary. The best thing was that I was able to see one of my old friends living on this island. I decided to accept this offer promptly and I was looking forward to the day.
　　Hearing the name of the island, average Japanese people recall the rocket launching site and guns. Tanegashima has two images of cutting-edge technologies and its glorious history. I'll write about my two weeks' trip to Tanegashima, which is called the closest island to the universe.

　半年ほど前、九州の南に浮かぶ小さな島の病院から救援依頼が来た。元々医師の少ない島であるが、医師不足のため7月の半ばに4日ほど勤務して欲しいという。その島は種子島。給料をもらい、往復の運賃も支給される。そしてこの島には研修医時代に苦楽を共にした仲間がいる。彼らにも会いたい。即断した。そしてその日がやって来た。
種子島と聞いて平均的な日本人なら、ロケットと鉄砲を思い浮かべるだろう。最先端技術と古い歴史の同居する島。観光もしてみたい。しばらく、宇宙に一番近い島と言われる種子島の旅行記を綴っていく。

Westerdam & Diamond Princess

　　The novel pneumonia, which derived from Wuhan, China, plunges the globe into a pit of misery. The new type of coronavirus is taken as the cause of this pneumonia. In relation to this virus, two cruise ships, the Westerdam and the Diamond Princess, collect strong public attention. Both ships were suspected that there might be some infected persons with this virus on board, but the aftermath of both ships were completely different.
　　In the case of the Westerdam, it was refused to land at several ports and drifted around the South and East China Sea, or North Pacific Ocean for more than one week to seek a port which welcomes it. Unable to stand by any longer, Cambodia reached its helping hand to the ship and all the passengers were able to step out on the soil. Then they left Cambodia for their home countries. However, an infected person was detected later, but no nations would ever be able to accuse developing Cambodia of passing them without any quarantine. Each country which received passengers from the Westerdam would have to check their medical check and quarantine.
　　On the other hand, in the case of the Diamond Princess, Japan, by itself, took on the quarantine of about 3700 passengers and crew members and medical treatments of infected people. Japan, as one of the developed countries, naturally lead the way in the process of the control of the infection, but I wondered why the U.S., which owns this cruise ship, and the U.K., where the Diamond Princess is registered, retreated into silence. A few countries like the U.S. and Canada decided to take their countries' passengers home. The U.S. responded to the American passengers who were tired of living in confinement. Canada was willing to mitigate the burden of Japan.
　　I heard that there's no international rule against such conditions. I think the international society requires some resolution against the next outbreak of some pathogenic organisms.

(Vocabulary)
retreat 引き下がる, 立ち去る, 逃げる
retreat to/into/from etc. sth ＜場所＞へ［の中から，から］逃げる

 

Infected Diamond Princess

　　Chinese originated pneumonia causes havoc in the northern hemisphere. The Japanese Government always ends up reacting after the event because they are concerned for China and trying not to dishonour the Chinese Government. However, the one thing that they have to do is protect the lives of their people, Japanese. I hope that the Government will take strong actions against the virus.
　　The Yokohama-based cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, came back to its home port, Yokohama city, on Feb 3rd, but almost all the passengers and crew members were stranded in the ship. It carried a Chinese from Yokohama to Hong Kong two weeks ago, who later developed the novel pneumonia in Hong Kong. Therefore, the Government suspected that there might be some people affected with pneumonia. Actually the new type of coronavirus was detected in the specimens from passengers. Both passengers and crew members are confined to their rooms until the end of the latent period of 14 days.I'm so sorry to hear that. Honestly, I had been on board this ship from Dec. 15th to 23rd last year. I can't afford to be indifferent to this incident.
　　The four pandemics occurred only in 20th century. All of their epicenters were the southern part of present China; Spanish, Asian, and Hong Kong flu, then SARS. From my viewpoint, the social conditions in China are too dirty for me to live, though I'm not going to live in China at all. I hope the virus will be confined soon.

(Vocabulary)
havoc 　大混乱, 大損害
end up reacting after the event　後手後手になる
latent 　隠れている, 潜在的な

Guinomi

　　I'm a thirsty soul. Every time I visit strange places across Japan, I drink local sake and buy "Guinomi", a small glass for Japanese sake, which is crafted by local potters as a memory of the trip. They are small and not bulky in my suitcase and they don't take up so much space in my house.
Today's sake is a gift from my second daughter's fiance and I feel happy and sad at the same time. I picked 4 guinomis up for this sake. I'm wondering which guinomi to use now.

僕は無類の酒好きで、日本各地を旅行するとその地方の地酒を飲み、記念に土地土地の土で出来たぐい呑みを買って帰る。小さいものなので、荷物にはならず、置き場所にもそう困らない。さて今日はどのぐい呑みで飲もうか、、、酒は次女のフィアンセが送ってくれたもの。嬉しいような悲しいような酒を飲むことにしよう。