April 2007: Joined the Urayasu City Senior Citizens' Group AA Net
August 2009: In connection with this group, served as public relations officer at the Urayasu City-sponsored “Comprehensive Forum for Nurturing the Heart”.

May 2009: Joined the Urayasu International Friendship Association (UIFA)
September 2009: In connection with this association, served as photographer and secretary at a lecture by the Ukrainian ambassador

February 2009: Seven-day trip to Singapore with spouse
October 2009: Ten-day trip to four Central European countries with spouse

Reading, listening to rakugo in bed, and listening to classical music in the study continue to these days.
The usual breakfast, as shown here (the pattern from that time remains the same today in 2023)

In 2011, reflecting on the previous year (my 70th birthday)
(Short Story Collection No. 45-2)

Paying attention to physical health (taking blood pressure and blood flow medication every morning). Practicing tennis and golf at Fellows once a week.
Novel “The Tale of Kyozou Uozumi” completed (later changed the title to “The Life of a Seafarer” with significant revisions and additions).
Novel “Auditorium Where Monsters Live” nearing completion.
New square: “Haiku Poets' Favorites” (Basho, Issa, Ryoukan, Buson, Shiki, Soseki, and “The Woman Who Knows”).
New square: “Learning about America through Famous Speeches.”
November 2010: 10-day couple tour around Morocco
May 2011: 11-day couple journey across Japan

Autumn 2011, Nowadays
(Zakkicho No. 65)

March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake
April, Farewell to the Golf Lesson at Fellows
May, End of a 10-Year Tennis School at Fellows
June, Started going to the Sports Plaza within 5-minute walk.
Walking machine, stretching exercises, soft aerobics. About an hour of exercise on weekdays, occasional swimming
September: withdrew from AA Net. Activities at UIFA also became less active. Social interactions seems to be on a downward spiral.
November: 12-day trip to the Baltic States and Poland with my spouse

The year 2012: Three-day Hospital Stay for Tests
(Short Stories Collection, Episode 52)

October 2012: Hospitalized for three days for tests due to suspected prostate cancer.
Mild inflammatory cell proliferation was observed, but surgery was deemed unnecessary.
October 2012: Encountered the “Lupin Literary Circle.”

The year 2013: New Year's reflections
(Zakkicho No. 73)

Five years ago (2008), sold my beloved X-Trail and stopped sending New Year's cards.
On New Year's Eve 2012, I went to bed at 7 p.m. I listened to Shinsho's “Oyako-zake,” “Sanmai-kishou,” and “Chihaya-furu” while drifting off to sleep.
On New Year's Day, our couple visited Fukagawa Fudo-son and Tomioka Hachiman-gu shrines for the first shrine visit of the year.
Reflecting on the recent circumstances of my homepage friend, I am placing my hopes for the year in my first work, “New Year's Reflections.”
Eating and drinking remain the same. The photos below are from morning and noon. The evening ones are omitted.

The world has entered the smartphone era, centered around young people, or rather, people of all ages. Even while waiting for the bus and inside the bus or train. I still use a mobile phone, only for communication with my wife. I lament the drastic decrease in email exchanges.
The audio equipment in the corner of my workroom is as shown.

One Day in September, 2013
(Zakkicho No. 76)

I do physical exercises at the sports plaza, mixing stretching exercises, soft aerobics, ball exercises, and tai chi. I do them four days a week in the morning for about an hour each time.
Breakfast is the same as before, and lunch today is my favorite curry rice. I am struggling with my weight in the 72 kg range. 　

I returned my driver's license and received a “Driving History Certificate” in exchange, dated May 16, 2012.
During the day and even in bed, I listen to “American Spoken English Textbook” instead of rakugo and classical music. I am striving to improve my English conversation skills.
I have started writing an autobiographical novel titled “My Hayatama Steel Days.” It will eventually be completed under the title “25 Years as a Salaryman: Looking Back with a Wry Smile.”

Autumn 2014, Two Dreams
(Short Story Collection No. 60)

I am currently working on the translation of the travelogues and essays I have written about various regions in Japan into English.

“Introduction to My Hometown, Nanki Kumano (New English Corner),” ‘Journey to Japan's Farthest Capes’ (2011), ‘Winter in Hokkaido’ (2010), ‘Basho's Journey through the Tohoku Region,’ ‘Nikko and Senjogahara,’ ‘Okunoto and Gokayama Gassho-zukuri Village’ (2012), “Lake Biwa and the Omi Region” (2014), ‘Izumo Taisha Shrine and Its Surroundings’ (2013), ‘San'in and San'yo’ (2012), and ‘Boso Peninsula.’

Could ‘Viva, Seniors!’ be useful in introducing Japan's natural environment and rural culture through both Japanese and English texts, including an ‘English Edition’?

In November, a five-day tour of Okinawa Island.

Nowadays in Autumn 2015
(Zakkicho No. 91)

After my birthday in May, I received a new health insurance card from the city hall. It was a “Senior Citizen Medical Insurance Card.” At 75 years old, I have joined the rank of the elderly.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in the morning, I do various exercises at the sports plaza for a total of one hour each time. The English conversation class on Tuesday evenings and the “casual English chat with two volunteers” on Friday evenings continue.
My weight remains around 72 kg. Blood pressure is high but stable thanks to medication. Due to cavities and periodontal disease, I visit the dentist every three months. My nose is congested. I'm concerned about blurred vision, too.
We went to Bali, Indonesia, two years ago. Maybe the last overseas trip of our couple.
In May last year, I launched the “English Edition” square. I am currently working on translating my works in “Miscellaneous Notes” and “Short Stories” squares into English.
I met a Spanish woman on Facebook. She lives in Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the three major Christian pilgrimage routes, and is dedicated to fostering friendship between Santiago de Compostela and the Kumano Kodo. She is deeply fond of Japanese gardens, and her home reportedly features a Japanese garden.
I am still revising “The Story of the Auditorium Where Monsters Live” and “My Hayatama Steel Days, and going to add them to my autobiographical novels.”

Nowadays in 2017,
the year of my 77th birthday
(Zakkicho No. 103)

Exercises at the sports plaza have been reduced to twice a week. However, chatting with friends there, regardless of gender, is enjoyable. In particular, I have become close with Mr. H, an Edo-period researcher. Once a month, we spend about two hours chatting at a nearby Chinese noodle shop. My wife is obsessed with tennis.
Travel is limited within Japan. I am not very outgoing. To avoid becoming a recluse (cocooning), I make an effort to go out.
My hearty breakfast, lunch, and evening drink remain unchanged. My weight also remains unchanged at 73 kg range.
The English conversation group with two women continues. We meet every Friday evening for an hour. The first half is for sharing recent updates, and the second half is for studying common topics and English texts.

Since October last year, I have been attending a “Current Affairs English Course” (every other week). Therefore, the “Senior English Conversation” class has been suspended. I submit a Japanese translation of the lesson material to the teacher in advance. I have set up a “Current English Class” section in the “English Edition” square, where I post the original articles and my translations.
I continue to exchange emails in English with Ms. I, whom I started communicating with three years ago. I have also added my emails to the “English Edition” square as an email diary. (As mentioned in the previous chapter, in 2018, due to Ms. I's passing, both the email diary and the “Three-Person English Chat Session” came to an end.)

From my encounter with the December Club to my friendship with Senior N, “The Story of the Auditorium Where Monsters Live” (the latter half of the book below, originally titled “Romanesque and the Four Guardian Deities”). I also attempted its English translation.
Novel content: Exploring the origins of the architecture and hidden history of the university campus, the Kanematsu Auditorium, which adorns the Kunitachi Campus of my alma mater.

New Year's Days in 2018
(Zakkicho No. 109)

On New Year's Day, we visited Tsukuba Shrine with our eldest daughter's family and her mother-in-law.
I'm concerned about my blurred vision, stuffy nose, and phlegm.
Our last year's trips were three days in Kyoto (March), seven days in Kyoto (May), and four days in Shirahone Onsen, Nagano (November). No overseas trips.

The expansion of the “English Edition” is progressing. Last year, ...

“Masa's Camino de Santiago”
"The Auditorium Where Monsters Live”
“One Week in Ancient Kyoto, Early Summer 2017“
”Tour around Morocco for 10 Days, 2010“
”Four Days around Shirahone Spa“
”Current Affairs English Lecture: English Articles and Japanese Translations"

My signature breakfast remains unchanged.

Lunch is my signature curry rice about twice or three times a month. Dinner is an evening drink.

In 2018, at 78 years and six months old
(Zakkicho No. 118)

In October, our couple participated in a four-day tour to Toyama Kintarō Onsen.
I reviewed the following four autobiographical novels (both Japanese and English versions).

Life of a Seafarer (My Father's Life)... Zakkicho, No. 110

My 25 Years as a Salaryman with Hayatama Steel (Until Age 48)... Zakkicho, Episode 114

Pea-chan and My Fifties ... Zakkicho, Episode 111

I am Pea-chan, the Parakeet

Auditorium Where Monsters Live （60s） ... Zakkicho, Episode 116

The year 2020, a pastime for my 80th birthday
(Zakkicho No. 133)

I attempted to translate the English translation of Shiba Ryotaro's original novel “The Last Shogun” (最後の将軍) into Japanese without having read the original. I managed to complete the translation. I was able to experience the astonishing changes of the late Edo period. Comparing it to the original would be rude.
One of the characters featured here is Eiichi Shibusawa. He is an indispensable figure in my novel “The Story of the Auditorium Where Monsters Live.” He is set to become the face of the new 10,000-yen note in the near future.

Heart rhythm abnormality, requiring a pacemaker implant?
As always, my pride and joy breakfast. Take a look at my freshly baked bread.

November, a two-day trip around the Izu Peninsula. Doi Gold Mine Historical Site, Irouzaki Cape, Jōren Waterfall, and the Shuzenji area.

The year 2021, My Friend “Viva, Seniors!”
(Zakkicho No. 134)

Last February, our couple stayed at Kira no Sato in Izu heights for two nights and enjoyed the Shaboten Park and Jogasaki Coast. Around that time, rumors about COVID-19 began to spread in Japan, and now (March 2021), my wife and I are also trying to avoid the “three Cs” (crowded and confined spaces with poor ventilation) every day.
I continue to attend the sports club three times a week for about an hour to stretch my body.
With the public announcement urging people to “refrain from unnecessary outings for the time being,” my hobby of writing has been progressing smoothly. The Japanese translation of the English novel “The Last Shogun” was completed in October last year after about a year of work. At the same time, I established the “Half-Life Memoirs” square. Since then, I have been reflecting on my homepage friend's “a path that leads to his present situation” every day.

Mountain hiking → Senior computer class instructor → Website “Viva, Seniors!” (http://chukonen.com) officially launched → Encounter with the December Club → Supported the launch of a website for university seniors → Deepened friendship with Senior N → Accompanied by Senior N, traced the hidden history of my alma mater → Learned novel-writing techniques at the writing circle “Sōkyū” → In 2006 (Heisei 18), the novel “Romance and the Four Divine Beings” was completed and published (later renamed “In Pursuit of the Auditorium Where Monsters Live”)

As a result of completing the novel, I resumed our couple's travels and travelogues that had been put on hold. The travelogues from 2007-08 are as follows:

France, Egypt-Turkey, Shiga Highlands, Kusatsu Onsen, Tsumagoi, Karuizawa, Nara, Kumano Kodo, Ise, Yamagata Hijiori Onsen

From 2009 onwards, overseas trips continued at a pace of once or twice a year until 2014: Singapore, four Central European countries, Taiwan, Morocco, the Baltic States and Poland, the Shanghai area, the Benelux countries, Bali and Yogyakarta). After that, they ceased.
Domestic trips continued at a rate of three or four times a year until the COVID-19 pandemic. 　

I must not forget the people who supported me at every turning point in my life up to my 80th birthday.
My parents, who barely received any elementary education, worked together to live a strong life and passed on their honest way of life to their children through their actions.
And one after another, the people I think of are: Mr. N, the senior of my alma mater, Dr. T at Juntendo Hospital, missionary Mr. GS, Mr. Y of MIDI music, and many others too numerous to mention.
Of course, Emiko, my wife, who has supported me since our marriage, goes without saying. The parakeet Pea-chan, who comforted me during my 50s of obscurity, also comes to mind.

The year 2021, Nowadays at the age of 81　(Zakkicho No. 145)

On October 20, I underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker to address an irregular heartbeat.
During the 9-day hospitalization, I passed the time with a portable radio, a smartphone, and former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's book “Music Journey” (Nikkei Premium Series).
On the 28th (10th day), I was discharged. Upon returning home, I immersed myself in classical music on the stereo (inspired by Koizumi's book).

In 2022, Establishment of the new square “Chronicle of My Half-Life
(Zakkicho, episode 146)

Two months after the pacemaker implantation surgery, I have not resumed exercises at the sports club. My physical activities are limited to morning radio calisthenics and walking.
To pass the time, I reflected on our married life and established the “Chronicle of My Half-Life” square.

Four autobiographical novels
Four stories 　“The Life of a Seafarer,” ‘My 25 Years as a Salaryman,’ ‘Pea-chan and My 50s,’ and ‘The Story of the Auditrium Where Monsters Live.’

　Our married life so far
Post-60s couple's traveling (domestic and overseas), daily life in our 70s, haiku poems by a woman we know, and a photo album of our parents and us.

Various things across the 80s
Pastimes at the age of 80, Reflecting on my friend “Viva, Seniors!,” Various things nowadays, and The Japanese translation of the English novel “The Last Shogun.”

I purchased a “bone conduction headset,” a wireless headphone that does not block external sounds, deciding to listen to my own readings on the website while walking via my smartphone.
My friend “Viva, Seniors!” seems like a lone house beyond the outer space. Without realizing it, the world has become a smartphone-dominated society. Emails and desk phones are already minor. Computers too.

My pride and joy breakfast remains unchanged.

January 11, 2022 Homemade smoothie Homemade brewed coffee Homemade raisin bread Homemade yogurt Mandarins and apples

The year 2022, six months after surgery
(Zakkicho, No. 147)

Now in June 2022, I am 82 years and one month old. I passed my 70th (古希) birthday 12 years ago, celebrated my 77th (喜寿) birthday five years ago, and am now in my 80s (八十路).
In late October last year, I underwent pacemaker implantation surgery at Juntendo Urayasu Hospital (a 3cm-square protrusion on the left side of the chest). I strictly followed the doctor's instruction to “refrain from strenuous activity for three weeks after discharge.” I received a Lifetime Welfare Handbook from the Chiba Prefectural Government, which clearly states, “Disability Grade 1” according to the Disability Grade Classification Table.
On June 1st of this year, I underwent a six-month follow-up examination after the surgery. After a resting electrocardiogram and a check with specialized equipment, the cardiologist's diagnosis was, “Extremely good, I hope it stays this way for another eight years.”

I have resumed walking, carrying my wife's shopping bags, and going to the sports plaza twice a week. When can I say goodbye to the mask?
The alcohol-fueled discussion group of the three men that has been ongoing for about ten years was named “Monomida-kai (meaning 'to be curious').” However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become difficult to gather.
Listening to classical music in the working room has also slowed down. The stereo system is now this small.

At least I can listen to AM, FM, CD, MD, and my own readings from the website

The year 2023, three years past the age of eighty
(Zakkicho No. 165)

On March 14, cherry blossoms were confirmed at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. Early blooming, the seasons cycle as they should (?).
My range of activities is shrinking. Our couple's trips abroad have ceased since our 2014 trip to Bali, Indonesia. Our passports will expire next summer. Should we renew them? Domestic trips have ceased since our 2020 trip to Izu Kirano Sato.
To maintain my physical strength, I walk 5,000 steps a day and also use the walking machine at the sports club.
In April of this year, there was a city council election in Urayasu City. Early in the New Year, Ms. S announced her candidacy and requested my support. For the month leading up to the election, I dedicated myself to campaigning. Unfortunately, she was not elected

The year 2023, Continued:
Beyond 80 Years Old
(Zakkicho, Episode 166)

“Chasing the Monster-Haunted Lecture Hall” (怪獣の棲む講堂を追う) was published as a paperback by Company B. My encounters with the December Club, my friendship with Senior Nakamura, and my exploration of the hidden history of my alma mater — these are my proud memories I cherish as I reflect on my 60s. The book will be released in June. I received 50 copies and donated 15 to my alma mater.

Is there any residual energy left in my mind and body?
My eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are not in perfect condition. Additionally, despite sleeping for long hours, my sleep is shallow, and the difficulty breathing upon waking has been a recent concern. Various social interactions have also ceased.

Today (May 19, 2023), looking down from the 11th-floor balcony at the spacious courtyard, it looks like a bubble holiday.

At the end of May, a three-day trip with my spouse around Sendai.
On Respect for the Aged Day in September, my spouse and I watched the latest film by director Yoji Yamada, “Hello, Mother,” at Ikspiari in Disney Resort.

The year 2023, the rest of my life
(Zakkicho No. 169)

In October, I reapplied to join the “Slow-Paced Senior English Conversation Class” that starts with the new school year, but after much deliberation, I canceled. Ms. G and everyone, I'm sorry.
I do radio calisthenics every morning without fail. I resumed physical fitness lessons at the sports plaza three times a week. Additionally, I continue my usual walking. This should help maintain my health.
While I enjoy eating and drinking, I struggle with sleep. My pride and joy, curry rice, looks like this on this November day.

To avoid being left behind in the smartphone society, I resolved to pursue self-improvement. I’m relying on the books piled up on my bookshelf. One of them is “The Book to Open When You’re Stuck with Your Smartphone.” (Asahi Shimbun Publishing)
I won’t consider decluttering for now. My wife doesn’t seem to have any intention of “letting go” of her husband, so for now, things are peaceful.
What lies ahead for my homepage friend “Viva, Seniors!”?
I’m striving to ensure this essay isn’t my final work. It’s my greatest source of fulfillment. Old soldiers never die; they still have some heat left.

Part 2 Reading 42：28