On January 10th, when I returned to the island to take down the New Year's altar decorations, I realized that I hadn't changed the "Onigui" on the Shinto altar for three or four years. After Setsubun, I returned to the island to change the "Onigui" and to see the house at this time of year.
On the way back to the island, I encountered a rare accident and was stuck there for about an hour.
I had a quick lunch, prepared some food for tomorrow evening, and started drinking. The book I chose was Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea," which was featured in President's "Classic Quotes" section, published in late January. I have several foreign novels translated by Haruki Murakami, but I've given up on them all midway through. Perhaps it's because of differences in values, but I feel like I can't get into the story.
The story is about an old man who hasn't caught anything in 84 days, but goes out fishing for a big fish, and after a three-day and night-long struggle, finally catches one. It depicts his subsequent battle with the sharks that prey on his fish for two days and nights until he returns to the island. In the end, the shark tears the fish to shreds, and all that remains is a sense of spiritual satisfaction. As I read on, imagining the old man as my father, it really touched my heart. His words, "Humans are not made to lose," and "Humans may be killed, but they will not lose," really resonated with me. In today's society, there is a growing trend to say, "You don't have to try hard." However, I think it's also important to maintain a fighting spirit, even if it's small, deep in your heart...
The next day, on the 6th, the wind was weak so the New Year's decorations that had been taken down were burned in Seto. Afterwards, the Japanese goldenrod that had been harvested over the New Year holidays was packed into bags and collected in preparation for burning on another occasion.
I had a lot of accumulated work to do, so I transcribed my newspaper columns and wrote in my diary, and by the time I'd finished it was 11 o'clock. I went for a walk to the site of the former junior high school. In some places there were only a few plum blossoms, and in others they had only been in bloom for about 50 percent. Above the temple, below the Taishido Hall, the Washington cherry blossoms were in bloom for about 70 percent. I remember them being in full bloom when I returned to the island in March last year. I'm looking forward to seeing what they'll look like the next time I return in March. I walked up to the Taishido Hall. The steps were raised, probably because the cherry blossom tree beside them had taken root. The drooping plum blossoms had several flowers. At the site of the former junior high school, the Kawazu cherry blossoms were showing pink buds and were close to blooming.
It was warm and a pleasant return to the island.
I've been thinking about starting preparations for the Kamuro Party, but I can't seem to get myself started. Last time I wrote that it would be held on Saturday, May 16th, but I'm thinking of moving forward with it the next day, Sunday, May 17th.
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