When I recall new things that happened to my life last year, I instantly think of several kinds of what you might call “art marchés” I was allowed to participate in.  I found out each marché had its character and clientele.

I had always believed that my calligraphy was of a certain level because I practiced under a distinguished calligrapher for a long time since childhood.

However, to my great pleasure, it turned out that I enjoyed more appreciation than I had expected from many people in a number of occasions.

Now, I am once again reminded of my good fortune to have met a renowned calligrapher and his wife, equally a splendid calligrapher herself, as my teachers; and that my late parents let me go to their school for a long time.

So, this is “delight (happiness), confidence, gratitude”.

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昨年を振り返ってまず思うのは、参加を許されたいくつかの所謂『アートマルシェ』です。それぞれがそれぞれの特質や客層を持っていました。

私は幼い頃から長い間、格の高い先生に習いましたから、自分の字はそれなりだとずっと思ってはいました。

けれどもありがたいことに、いくつもの場で多くの人たちから予想していた以上の評価をいただきました。

そこで今また思うのは、その著名な書家と、同様に立派な書家であった奥さまに出会えたことと、長い間その先生の教室に通わせてくれた今は亡き両親への感謝です。

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Two of my “Facebook friends” probably with no connection at all happened to have posted videos of “Lion dance” or 獅子舞 recently.  Because I didn’t know it was still around, I was a bit surprised.  Seeing it at my mother’s parents’ home when I was a child was the last time.  I hear my grandpa was living large when young.  So, various kinds of peddlers came to his house to sell high priced produce; and street performers, as well, for good gift money.

Thinking of it now, seeing Lion dance up close was a unique experience, however, as I was a little child, I just got terrified and cried terribly.

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『フェイスブックのお友達』の恐らく何も接点のない二人が少し前にたまたま獅子舞の動画を投稿されました。獅子舞がまだあるとは知りませんでしたので、びっくりしました。

子供の頃母の実家で見たのが最後でした。母の父は昔は羽振りが良かったらしく、高い品物を売ろうとする様々な行商人やご祝儀が目当ての大道芸人がよく来ていました。

今思えば獅子舞を間近に見るというのは珍しい体験だったはずですが、幼かった私はただ恐ろしくてぎゃん泣きしただけでした。

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O seas, mountains, rivers/

Of hometown/

Lion’s mask of the New Year lion dance/

Translation and calligraphy by Chio

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A neighborhood lady gave me big, fresh Iyokan (Iyo citrus fruits).  Then I remembered that I wrote “auspicious dream” a while back, and noticed “auspicious” and “fresh” are expressed with the same kanji character or Chinese character.

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ご近所さんから瑞々しくて大きな伊予柑をいただきました。そこでふと思ったのは、少し前に書いた『縁起のいい夢』の縁起がいいを表す漢字と瑞々しいという漢字が同じものだということです。

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Old things appear one after another.  For those who know or remember my first calligraphy teacher and his wife should find these goods ever so meaningful and valuable.

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古いものが次々と出てきます。私の書の初めの先生とその奥さまをご存知の方々、または覚えておられる方々にはまことに意義深く、価値のある品々です。

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I did some practice with the old models given to me by my first teacher when I was a six grader of my elementary school, wondering how I worked at them in those days.

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小学6年のときにいただいたお手本で練習。当時、これをどれだけこなせていたのかしら？　と考えながら。

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Cleaning the house brings many old things from somewhere.  I remember very well that I had a lot of fun playing with this.  But it also shows how my parents (maybe, my grandpa, as well) were keen on their daughter’s education from the first, doesn’t it?

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家を片付けると次々に古いものが出てきます。幼かった頃にこれで遊んだのを覚えています。でも、初めから教育熱心な親（祖父も含めて？）だったということがよく分かりますよね。

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For voices of late parents/

Expecting so eagerly/

O winter geese/

Translation and calligraphy by Chio

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I found this small piece of wood, the size of a postcard, at a stationery shop.  I believe this is for carving a prototype for New Year cards and what not.  I found it is quite easy to write on with a brush.  The two letters are 波動 meaning “wave motion” or “energy”.

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文房具屋さんでハガキ大の小さな木を見つけました。年賀状などを刷る原型を作るためのものだと思います。それが、筆で書きやすいと判ったんです。

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It has been raining quite steadily since early morning, and it is the first rain in a long time.

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今日は未明から冷たい雨がしっかりと降っています。なかなか久しぶりのことです。

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The moment the rain in cold season/

Stops/

A soul ascends to heaven/

Translation and calligraphy by Chio

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