Author Archives: NahoMouri

 
I’ve really been thinking about this lately, but Japanese people are not very expressive, huh. Even before this, I wrote a little about my thoughts on the subject entitled, "Silence is Gold." If you don’t speak up, you can go on without anything really good or bad happening. Nothing will happen at all. However, going on like this is not enough. I really miss the wealth of expression and smiling faces of the people of Hawaii.
  Continue reading →

 
In Japan, during Setsubun, we have the custom of scattering dried soybeans in each room and, after that, eating only the amount of beans that corresponds to our age in order to have an early Spring. However, in my case, it seems as though the whole bag will just disappear. I hate this.
 
 
節分
　
　日本では、節分に早く春が来ますようにと、豆を各部屋にまいた後、自分の歳の数だけ豆を食べる習慣がありますが、私の場合、豆の袋が全部なくなってしまいそうです。いやですね～
 
 
せつぶん
　
　にほん  では、せつぶん に  はやく はる が きますように と、まめ を  かく へや に まいた あと、じぶん  の  とし の かず  だけ  まめ  を たべる  しゅうかん が ありますが、 わたし の ばあい、まめ  の ふくろ が ぜんぶ なくなって しまいそうです。  いやですね～ Continue reading →

 
It has become cold. It is December, so that’s only natural, right? This year, even in Japan, it has been warm during the day until just recently. Today, as usual, I will write about how I feel about things.

The baby cradle for Japanese people is the inside of trains. In the city, it is always brisk and busy everywhere: people coming and going on the streets, at the supermarket registers, waitresses in the restaurants. People don’t make smalltalk.

Where are you all going in such a rush? For what reason? Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder about this. It may be because of my easygoing attitude, but it seems to me that the word, "leisure*" is disappearing from our vocabulary.

In the country, there are places where streetcars run leisurely along, though. Anyhow, inside the trains, the young and the old alike sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Fortunately for people who are sitting, the cushions are comfortable; they are warm and, in the winter, they feel especially good. It seems like this is our only quiet place. I, too, often doze off for an our in spite of myself. Continue reading →

 こがらし  いちばん
　
　木枯らし一番が吹き、家の前の街路樹の葉っぱは　掃いても　掃いても　落ちてきます。　そう、まる坊主になるまで掃かなければなりません。　お元気ですか。　楽しいエッセイ読ませて頂いてます。　

　先月　娘と　長崎に行って着ました。私は　九州は　初めてだったのですが、とても　ステキでした。日差しも　こちらより強くて　異国情緒たっぷりですね。　特に　グラバー邸は　眺めもよく　ちょうちょう婦人の舞台を想像すると　なんと　すばらしい景色でしょう。
　　　　
　でも　最近　特に　東京付近では、悲しい事が起きてます。　それは　この　ご時世の　せいでしょうか。　電車での　人身事故が　多いのです。　そう　ご想像のとうりです。　　１週間に２回位　　｛多い時は｝　本当に辛い事ですね。　ハワイでは　想像もつかない事ですよね。（気候が　いい　せいもあるのでしょうが）　いつかまた　元気な日本に戻りますように願っています。　青い海が　恋しい。 Continue reading →

 Are you well? In the summer here, the clear, pleasant days are becoming fewer and, around this time, it feels like summer has returned. During the day, sweat pours.

Speaking of dolphins, the grateful dolphin has become the topic of conversation. A fisherman removed a net that had become entangled in a dolphin’s tail, and the dolphin came to love people and always came around boats, returning as if to say thanks. However, it was hit by the harpoon of some heartless person and was discovered by a diver, swimming around with the harpoon still left in. After being rescued by the diver and having the dart removed, the dolphin is recovering. It seems they can understand our hearts just like dogs, huh? This year, I might not be able to go to Hawaii, but it is probably my favorite place. Take care. Continue reading →

 
Are you well? Over here it is the rainy season so the laundry doesn’t dry very well. However, one thing that is healthy are the hydrangea. At our house, flowers of many colors and varieties are blooming. Not having any smell is there only drawback. Wearing pink suits you, doesn’t it? Recently, because of my age, I am wearing more bright colors. (That is not the case with you) The blue blue ocean must be nice. Bye now.
　
　
紫陽花の家

　お元気でいらっしゃいますか。　こちらは梅雨、なかなか洗濯物が乾きません。　でも、元気がいいのはアジサイ。　我が家ではいろんな色、種類の花が咲いています。　香りがないのが難点ですね。　ピンクの ｗｅａｒ が良くお似合いですね。　私などは　最近、歳のせいですか　明るい色を着る様にしています。（あなたは違いますよ）　青い青い海は　いいですね。～～　それでは　また～～ Continue reading →

 
Are you well? The war in Iraq seems to be over, but I want to believe that Nathan, who is in the Navy, is safe. I, too, am getting homesick for Hawaii. But frightening diseases like SARS are spreading so it’s scary, huh? All kinds of things keep happening.

I, too, dislike kitchen work so I understand how you feel. I really like the carefree way of thinking of the people of Hawaii and the way they find pleasure in life. I want to live in Hawaii… I want to swim in the ocean till I get sick of it. It is so different from Japan. Until we meet again. Take care.
 
 
ハワイの人の生き方、大好きです。

　お元気ですか。　イラク戦争も終った様ですが　ネイビーの彼はきっと無事だと信じたいです。　私もそろそろハワイ病がでかかっているのですが　サーズとか言う恐ろしい病が流行っていて怖いですね。　いろいろとつづききます。　私も台所は嫌いな方で何か良くわかります。　ハワイの人々の楽な考え方や楽しみを見つける生き方は大好きです。　もうハワイに　住みたい～～～ 　飽きるほど　海で遊びたい～～～　（日本とは違いすぎる）　いつの日にか、また、お元気で。 Continue reading →

 
I guess it’s (the war in Iraq) finally started. What in the world should be done? I hope the day will come soon when I can live my life with a happy face. By the way, my 75 year-old mother lives by herself near me. (I have a younger brother) If we get the chance, can we discuss things like the life of elderly people over there or family problems of the elderly? In these times, I’ll send pleasant letters.
　
　
やっぱりーーー
　
　やっぱり 始まってしまいましたね。　いったい どうする事が 一番良いのでしょう？　早く 明るい顔で 暮らせる日が来るといいのに・・・ 　ところで 、私には ７５になる母が一人、近くに いますが （弟が 一人です 。） そちらでの 老人の 生活や 家族老人問題 等の事も 機会が あったら テーマ に取り上げてみて頂けますでしょうか。　こんなとき ですが 楽しい メール お送りします。 Continue reading →

 
It is still cold here, but the plum blossoms are in full bloom. The other day, I read your letter and just burst out laughing. The reason for that was that I, too, have a weak throat so I always have something wrapped around my neck. At night I’m just like you (having something wrapped around my neck) and there are times when my neck is sore in the morning. That is not the case in the summer but, no matter what you say, I hate winter. It might be because I was born in May. From now on, because it is the season for pollen, there will be many people who will be inconvenienced by this. How are you over there? The Nagaya (website) has changed quite a bit, hasn’t it?
　
　
冬は嫌ですね。
　
　まだ　まだ寒いこちらですが　梅の花々は満開です。先日のお便りを見て思わず笑ってしまいました。それと言うのは、私ものどが弱くて、いつも首に何か巻いているのですが　夜は、正に同じ状態で　朝、首が痛い時があるのです。　夏にはそうでもないのですが　なんと言っても冬は嫌ですね。　５月生まれのせいかもしれません。　今からは花粉の季節で困ってしまう人が多いです。　そちらは如何ですか。 長屋の様子が、ずい分と変わりましたね。 Continue reading →

 
Because it gets hot and cold here, many people catch colds. In addition to this, every day there are the problems with Iraq and North Korea (the abduction issue)… What is it all coming to? How are things over there? I wonder if this will ever become a peaceful world. I continue to pray for world peace. Please continue to be well.
　
　
平和を祈りつつ・・・
 
　こちらは、寒かったり暖かかったりで、風邪をひいている人が多いです。　それに連日、イラクの事とか、北朝鮮の事 「拉致問題」 やら・・・　本当にどうなってしまうのでしょうか？　そちらではどうですか？　 いつになったら平和な世界になるのでしょうね。　世界の平和を祈りつつ・・・　　お元気でお過ごしくださいね。 Continue reading →