| Because of that, my last year's travels were nearly wiped out, both
domestic and international. But my homepage “Viva, Seniors!” (Vigour for
Middle-Aged and Older Adults!) remains as “Vigorous!” as ever.
The expansion of the English Edition Square continues, with various additions,
as follows.
“Masa's Camino de Santiago”
(Notebook Square #101, English Edition, January 14, 2017) |
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My friend Mr. S completed the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain over a month from May to June the previous year. Based on his diary, I traced his journey in English.
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“The Auditorium Where Monsters Live”
(Notebook Square #102, English Edition, April 2)
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The Kanematsu Auditorium on my alma mater's campus. The history of
the school leading up to its construction was compiled into the novel “The
Story of the Auditorium Where Monsters Live.” (Notebook Square #46-48)
This is its English translation. Reading time: 11 hours 38 minutes
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“One Week in Ancient Kyoto, Early Summer 2017”
(Notebook Square #105, English Edition, September 23)
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Kyoto, which for some reason I still haven't fully seen. Feeling that,
my desire to share Japan's unique culture with the world was missing
the finishing touch, I visited again for four days in March. Its English
translation.
Conscious of aiming for a proud introduction to Japanese culture, I considered
this piece the provisional goal for my personal style of introducing Japan
in English. The photo below is of Byodoin Temple.
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“Tour around Morocco for 10 Days, 2010”
(Notebook Square #106, English Edition, November 1)
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English translation of Notebook Square #59, “Morocco Travelogue, 2010.”
Driven by a desire to share not only Japan but also the foreign cultures I've witnessed firsthand, I translated this travelogue into English. The photo below is from Aït Benhaddou.
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“4 Days around Shirahone Spa”
(Notebook Square #108, English Edition, December 28)
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Visited this hot spring town advertised as near Matsumoto Castle in Shinshu
(Nagano Prefecture, photo below), which was my main destination.
It turned out to be a remote area, practically an isolated island. Unexpectedly,
it was a pleasant surprise.
Its English translation. I felt like sharing it overseas.
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“Current Affairs English Course Textbook and Japanese Translation”
(English Edition: January 13th - December 17th)
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This small plaza was opened in December of the previous year. This year
covers Chapters 4 to 34 of the course textbook. Lecturer Tanaka-sensei
selects breaking news from CNN, BBC, New York Times, and other media outlets,
notifying us two days in advance. Students prepare in advance for the lectures.
I incorporated corrections made during the lectures into my own preparation
notes and posted them on the homepage.
( ) indicates the posting location and date.
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………………………………
I launched the website “Viva, Seniors!” in 1998. This year marks exactly 20 years.
Looking back at the update history, the website is the one precious thing
I've enthusiastically maintained every year. Just in terms of written works,
there are 108 entries in the ‘Notebook Square’ and 60 in the “Short Stories
Square.” Most of the works are long forgotten. But for me, all of them
are a good memento.
The desire to share my mountain hiking travelogues with fellow members
of the “Fukagawa Mountain Walking Club” led to the website's creation.
Indeed, for the first three years until 2000, mountain hiking accounts
dominated the content.
Alongside the squares, “Notebook,” “Short Stories,” and “Mountain Hiking,”
the photo collection “Some Day @ Some Place” has been a lively cornerstone
since the beginning.
Later, I spun off the hometown introduction “Nanki Kumano” into its own
square and added “Haiku Poet's Preferences,” mindful of my wife's interests.
For a self-indulgent world, it began to take on a respectable form.
To those, I added the “English Edition Square” – my own English introduction
to Japan, a country I believe possesses unique international landscapes,
traditions, and culture – leading to the current “Viva, Seniors!”
………………………………
So, the Year of the Dog has begun. What now?
Though I have free time around the clock, the New Year mood lingers. My
motivation alone is strong. I want to travel overseas at least once, take
several domestic trips, and continue translating essays and travelogues
into English...
For now, this essay is my first outing.
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