秋の散歩は最高 — Taking Walks in Autumn

Dec 3

Walking Diary / ウォーキング日記, 個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメントなし

オラ、年中、いつでもウオーキングするけんど、やっぱ秋が一番きもちいいかも。こん間、駒沢公園を通りながら、いい紅葉が見えた。他の皆さんも、紅葉狩りしていたみたい。また、鶴巻の辺りを歩いてみたら、桜新町駅にわりと近い丘の上に不思議な建築物を遠目で発見。近くまで行ってみたら、浄水場だった。なんだか、お城みたいな建物。

I like walking any season of the year, but maybe Autumn is my favorite. I recently strolled through Komazawa Park in Setagaya Ward and saw some beautiful maple leaves turning color.  Looks like everybody else was enjoying them too.  (Disclaimer : I’m from southern California where leaves never do anything, let alone change color, so forgive me if I seem overly impressed with this kind of stuff.) Wandering further, I spotted in the distance what looked like a castle on a slight hill in the Tsurumaki part of Setagaya Ward.  Getting closer, I found it was actually two very large water towers obviously built quite some time ago, back when people appreciated cool architecture.  Neat find.

お城っぽいか、モスクっぽいか、なんか面白いデザイン

お城みたいな浄水場も発見・鶴巻の丘の上



キーワード: ,

長野さ行って来た — Went to Nagano

Dec 3

個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメントなし

番組の取材のため、長野さ行って来た。てんてんと県北部の村を回りながら、「ご年配の方の元気さ」と「長野の食文化」のつながりを調べています。取材はまだ終っていない。来週また行く。放送日は後ほど、お知らせします。

取材中は善光寺と青鬼村の農家の写真を撮ってみた。




横から見る善光寺。T字の形をしている建築が非常にめずらしい






Went to northern Nagano for a TV gig a few days ago.  We are doing a report on the connection between the local diet and the fact that the elderly folks in this part of Japan are so healthy. Should be interesting when we get done.  Gotta go again next week.  I’ll post the broadcast date as soon as I know. In the meantime, I took a couple of photos of world-famous Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano City and the (formerly) thatched roof farm houses of Aoni Village, WAAAAAY up in the hills.






Now THAT'S what I'M talking about.





キーワード: , , ,

世田谷通りと多摩川ウオーキング

Nov 23

Walking Diary / ウォーキング日記, 個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメント 3

今日はちょっと頑張った。三軒茶屋をスタートして、まんづ世田谷通りを多摩川まで歩いて見た。馬事公苑とか、東京農業大学とかその辺までは何十回歩いた事があったが、世田谷通りは、どこまで続くものかなって、疑問でした。環八を超えたら、東京都内ちゅうなのに、だんだん田舎っぽくなる。なんだか東北の４号線を歩いているような感じになった。しばらくすると、狛江市に入った。オラ、狛江は年に一回必ず行くとこだ。いかだレースに参加するため。市内に入ったら、世田谷通り沿いの眼鏡屋さんの屋上に、なんと、キング・コング親子にばったり。

鉢巻きのコングは、なぜか、葉巻を吸う

I took quite a long stroll today. The weather was perfect, so I started from Sangenjaya and walked along Seatagaya Dori (Road) to see where it ended.  I’d been out past Baji (Equest- rian) Park and the Tokyo Agricultural University many times before, but I didn’t know how far out Setagaya Dori actually went.

After passing Kan-pachi (Concentric Loop Highway No. 8), the scenery along Setagaya Dori turns a bit rustic.  Sort of  reminds me of Highway  No. 4 up in the Northeast (Tohoku).

I entered Komae City and stumbled upon King Kong and son on top of an optomitrist shop.  Not exactly sure of the significance of that, but it sure grabs one’s attention.


この親子もいた。稲荷神社のガード・フォックス

Came across a nice little Inari Shrine too. Stopped by and took a pic.

Inari Shrine are dedicated to the god(s) who deal with agricultural issues.  Everybody prays here to wish for a good harvest.   Obviously, Komae City and the surrounding areas were once much more rural than today.

This shrine guardian fox, a rather feisty looking sort, also brought his/her kid along to teach him the ropes I suppose.  You can the kid underfoot.  A local parishoner has gone to the trouble of providing “bibs” for both.  A nice touch.


狛江市を通ったら、多摩川に出た。川を渡って、神奈川県に入ったら、世田谷通りの名前が変わって、「津久井道」になる（つくいみち）。その点から、南へ（下流に向かって）。二子玉川駅にたどり着いたら、もうすっかり暗くなってしまった。全体的に歩きやすいコースでした。世田谷通りのところどころで、排気ガスはちょっと心配でしたが、大丈夫でした。寄り道も含んで、トータルで、２２KMでした。After crossing the Tama River, I headed south (downstream) about 6 KM to the Futako Tamagawa Station. Altogether, it was a 22KM course.

Good exercise.

The Tama River from Komae City

Near Futako Tamagawa Station - on the Kanagawa side

キーワード: , , , ,

ウオーキングで世田谷区の森巌寺（しんがんじ）

Nov 20

Walking Diary / ウォーキング日記, 個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメントなし

東急田園都市線(旧名：新玉川線）の池尻大橋駅の北口を５０M先に歩けば、緑道があります。梅が丘方面へ目黒川の上流を沿うと、茶沢通りのひとつ手前の道を北へ約１３０M歩けば、世田谷区の「ヒッデン・トレジャー」（隠れ遺産）がある。森巌寺（しんがんじ）です。住宅街のど真ん中の御陰か、とても大都会だと思わぬ静けさはポイント。

四季ともいいオアシスだが、秋は見頃かも。非常に大きなイチョウの木が何本かあって、秋になると、「黄金」という色を描写する光景になります。今年のタイミングは多分来週（１１月下旬）。



A supremely quiet place, not far from Shimo-Kitazawa



I ventured out for a long walk today and decided to visit an old favorite. Shingan-ji in Setagaya-ku. Being situated in the middle of a residential area, this is a nice temple to visit anytime of year. It’s so peaceful.

But Fall is really special. The grounds feature several very old, very large “Icho” (Gingko) trees that literally define the word “golden”. They are absolutely gorgeous. I stopped by today to check on their progress. I believe next week (the last week of November) they will be at their most beautiful this year.


森巌寺は仏像を楽しむ人も喜ぶ。ちっとめんづらしいものがあります。エマ様、不動明王、また数本の腕を持つ弁財天。こんな弁天様は初めて見た。




Ema-sama & Fudo-Myo-o





Benzai-ten or Benten-sama










Shingan-ji is also a treat if you’re into Buddhist statuary. Along with the rather ferocious looking Fudo-Myo-o, they’ve got an absolutely HUGE, and rather ticked-off looking Ema-sama, the guardian of the gates to the afterlife (the dude you REALLY do NOT want to annoy). That combination alone was enough to satisfy me, but today I think I stumbled upon a special airing out of their Benzai-ten (other wise known as “Benten-sama”). She is the Buddhist deity in charge of music, the arts, wisdom, and beauty, and is a member of the “Seven Gods of Happiness” in Japan. I’ve seen quite a number of Benten-sama over the years, but this one has, like, ten arms. Don’t think I’ve ever come across one quite like her.

とにかく、お寺好きなオラにとっては、満喫出来たひとときでした。あと何点か写真をどうぞ。

Anyway, it was a nice afternoon. I leave you with a few more shots.



江戸時代から針供養で有名ですよ





来週のイチョウの木、楽しみだな〜




キーワード: , , ,

Sacred Heart School Festival

Nov 15

個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメントなし


Intercultural coomunication


On Saturday, the Sacred Heart School in Tokyo held its annual festival. I had never been there before, so when a friend invited me, I thought I’d check it out.

As school festivals go, it was awesome. Lots and lots of people there. Dozens of booths selling all kinds of great ethnic food, lots of activities and games for young children, and a dose of live music in the main courtyard.

My favorite part, I think, was the Swedish booth. They were serving something called “Aquavit” which is sort of like schnapps in little, tiny shot glasses. If you buy a glass, the Swedish fellows running the booth sing a sort of chug-a-lug song for you. Good, clean fun. Going to Sweden one day is now DEFINITELY on my bucket list.


Or, as we say in Yamagata . . .






. . . "Nommunication" ちゃん、ちゃん。










キーワード: , , , , ,

青森県八戸さ行って来た

Nov 13

個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメントなし

ちょっと久々に八戸で講演して来た。なつかしい港町だ。海の幸は言うまでもなく豊富っですが、最近B級グルメのコンテストで大ブレイクしているのは、「せんべい汁」。オラ、４〜５年前に「せんべい汁」取材したけんど、あの独特な歯ごたえの「汁せんべい」は忘れません。あの時、「これ、絶対にヒットするだ〜」って思った。

とにかく、めっちゃうまっ。

The unique "cracker stew" of Hachinohe in Aomori

I went up to Hachinohe City in Aomori for a speech this week.  As a port town, Hachinohe is justly famous for its seafood.  But another dish you just gotta try is “Sembei-jiru”, or, VERY roughly translated, “Cracker Stew”.
I believe the most common variation is a sort of chicken broth with lots of  sliced vegetables. Toward the end of the cooking process, you add in these large, round crackers, broken into quarters.
These “shiru-sembei” crackers are similar to the “Nambu Sembei” famous in neighboring Iwate Prefecture.  But they are made with no flavoring. Just plain, wheat-toasty-flavored crackers.  They are made purposefully to soak up the soup of the stew. The interesting feature of these crackers is that no matter how long they soak, they maintain a certain chewy texture which is sure to please.  Really good.
講演が終ったら、聞きに来た方がわざわざお土産を持って来てくれた。江渡さんっていう農家の方（？）が、なんと２８種類のりんごを集めて下さった。全部外国原産の実験的に栽培しているものだと思うが、とにかく、すんごい数。イギリス、スイス、フランス、ニュー・ジーランド、オーストラリア、カナダ、と、アメリカ産。
さすが、青森。　　江渡さん、おしょうしな（ありがとう）。

28 different varieties of apples

After my speech, a fellow named Mr. Eto brought me a big bag of apples.  I love apples, of course, and Aomori is famous for them.  But when I looked inside I was amazed. He had gone out and actually collected 28 DIFFERENT varieties of apples, ALL originating in either Europe or North America.  I guess he may be experimenting with new varieties to see if any of them might work well in Aomori’s climate.
People in Aomori take their apple production seriously.
Anyway, I’ll be in apple heaven for a few weeks now.
これから、何週間、りんご天国にいます。

りんごも大好きなオラ

キーワード: , , , , , , ,

和歌山・印南町さ行って来た

Nov 10

仕事ブログ / Work Blog, 講演 / Speeches I have given | コメントなし

今日、和歌山県印南町でジェッフ・バーグランド先輩と人権関係のイベントに参加してきた。

ジェッフ先輩とは久しぶりでした

I was down in Inami Town in Wakayama Prefecture today for a speech/event about human rights today.

Jeff and I go WAAAAAAY back.  He showed me the ropes when I first started working as a reporter on TV here.

It was great to see him.  It’s been maybe ten years since we last did a gig together.

ジェッフさんとは、もう１０年ぶりだったかな？

相変わらず、元気で、語り部の技は半端じゃなかった。



印南町はきれいな町。廻りの山は緑豊富で、ミカンの段々畑と梅干しで有名らしい。

印南町のシンボル・マークはこの橋だべな。遠くからも見える、超目立つこの橋は「蛙橋」。

渡る皆さんは無事に帰るように〜。

The Town of Inami is quite pretty.  It is surrounded by beautiful green mountains accented by stepped tangerine orchards.  The town is also near the center of the main “umeboshi” producing region of Japan (“umeboshi”, of course, being those overwhelmingly powerful “pickled plums” that you find in your box lunches).

But I suppose the most outstanding feature of the downtown area is this bright red, frog-shaped bridge.  It’s called the “Frog Bridge”.  The word for frog in Japanese is “kaeru”.  It is a homonyn for the verb “to return home”.  Hence, if you cross the “Frog Bridge” it is wishing you a safe return home.    Anyway, it’s kind of cute.

無事に帰れますように祈る「蛙橋」


キーワード: , , , , , , ,

NHK国際の「Your Japanese Kitchen]家で撮影

Nov 4

仕事ブログ / Work Blog | コメントなし

今日、栗原はるみ先生が家に来た。オラはNHK 国際の番組「Your Japanese Kitchen」を撮るため、先生のところで何十回もお世話になっているけど、今日、特別企画で、その番組をオラの家で撮った。いつものスタッフの皆さんなのに、なんだか緊張した〜。特に緊張したのは女房かも。


Getting ready for the shoot


The “charismatic housewife” Ms. Harumi Kurihara, known as the “Martha Stewart of Japan” came to my place today. She has published quite a number of very popular cook books in several languages.  She and I (and the very talented George Williams, of course) work together on the program called “Your Japanese Kitchen” on the NHK International Channel.

Usually, we shoot this program at her home/studio, but today we tried something different and shot the program at my apartment. I was a bit nervous even though I already knew all of the people involved.  (You never know when they might discover the odd cobweb you missed.)



Getting into it


だって、栗原先生は、料理研究家で有名だもん。女房は自分の料理テクニックに先生がなんか文句付けるなのかな〜って心配していたみたい。無意識でも。

でも、心配する事はなかった。先生はテレビに出る時と変わらない、そのまんまの人間じゃ。冗談言ったり、やさしく教えたりする。女房がリラックスしてはるみ先生と楽しく料理の話しとか（オラに対しての不満話しとか）出来た。

I think maybe my wife was more nervous than I was.  I mean, gosh, Ms. Kurihara is -like- the biggest star in the cooking world over here in Japan. What if she spots something mistaken about the way my wife cooked?

What if my wife cuts the vegetables at a 47 degree angle rather than a 42 degree angle?

Egads! We’d NEVER live that down.


Coming up on the finale


But, of course, I jest.  Ms. Kurihara’s way of cooking is actually very similar to my wife’s.  They are both very busy, career oriented women.  As such, it is imperative that they strive to be efficient in every aspect of their lives — including cooking.  They both use quality ingredients and flavorings.  They don’t spend much time measuring things or cutting to precision.  They already know where they want to go BEFORE they begin.  Like I said, they are organized.
今日の一番面白いポイントは料理スタイルだったかな。栗原先生と女房はすごく似ているな〜と思った。
二人とも仕事で忙しく、料理するときはやっぱ速い。いい材料と調味料を使ってるから、あまり細かく測ったりしないね。こだわりはあるけど、なんちゅうか、大体「かん」で動く。
それだ。二人とも、料理の上手な母親から料理を習ったから、なんだか「本能」みたいなもんかな？


今日の御馳走はこれ


Both my wife and Ms. Kurihara were taught cooking by their formidable mothers, so they don’t waste any time while cooking. “Get it done, and move on the next chore”
would seem to have been their motto.
It’s almost instinctive.  And it’s a joy to watch.  I wish I had half of their skill.
Anyway, here are the two dishes we introduced on the program today (right hand side).
Beef and eggplant simmered in miso AND Natto-jiru.
See the NHK website for all the details.


豚となすの味噌煮



なつかしい納豆汁



gochiso-sama deshita


キーワード: , ,

岐阜県土岐市さ行って来たWent to Toki in Gifu

Oct 29

個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメント 3

岐阜県の土岐市さ行って来た。土岐市の消防団の皆さんのインタービューのためだ。 I visited Toki City in Gifu Prefecture to interview the members of the local Volunteer Fire Fighters.

消防団の皆さん

土岐市下石（おろし）の消防署、はっぴの彩り




土岐市を中心に周辺で生産される陶磁器は「美濃焼」と呼ばれ、台所・食卓用品における日本の陶磁器生産量の６０％以上を占めています。すごい。Toki city has  been a center for ceramics for centuries. The local products is called “Mino Ware”, and Toki produces roughly 60% of Japan’s kitchenware.

でっけ〜 Now that is one huge sake flask!


橋までも陶磁器で飾られる



消防団のインタービュー前後はちょっと町中をぶりっとしてみると、どっこ見ても手作りの陶磁器が現れる。さすが、陶磁器の町だ。橋の上、消防署の前、等々。　Both before and after my interview of the Fire Fighters, I strolled around the town.  There are hand-made samples of their wares EVERYWHERE you look.  On bridges, in front of the Fire Station, all over the place.

Fire fighting sake flasks?








Fire fighting sake flask with hook.

Fire Fighting Sake Flask with Hose

キーワード: , , , ,

沖縄さ行って来た、えがった〜

Oct 29

個人ブログ / Personal Blog | コメントなし

沖縄さ行って来た。日銀の関連の講演だったけんど、首里城の観光も出来た。台風の雨でちっと大変でしたけんど、皆さん頑張って下さった御陰さまで、無事にOKでした。お疲れサッマでした。



お世話になりました皆さん



ツーリストだなっす





首里城のガードしっかりしている




色も形も格別の首里城





改善中の首里城、２０１１年４月で完成




今、まだ改善中だが、来年４月で出来上がりだそうです。

皆さん、見に来てけらっしゃらい。めんそーれ。

Went to Okinawa for a speech recently, There was a typhoon in the area so it rained all day. But we braved it to visit Shuri Castle, the place where the old Ryukyu Kingdom held court. They are in the middle of refurbishing the main buildings, buit it should be done by April 2011. Ya’ll come over for a visit.

キーワード: , , , , ,

WordPress SEO