The photos show an event relating to the traditional Dolls Festival that lasted one week until last Friday.  I find something of this sort very heartwarming, and I think they did a very good job about the event.  However, it must be really difficult and challenging to pass on tradition and culture supported by long history.  As a matter of fact, I am afraid this style of displaying dolls using stands was not very popular in Kyoto.  Still, I think it valuable to convey cultural spirits.

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写真は先週の金曜日までの一週間開かれていた雛祭り関連のイベントです。こうしたものを見ると心が温かくなります。いい展示をしてくださったと思うからです。けれども、伝統を伝えるのは容易くありません。実際、京都ではこのような段飾りは主流ではなかったのではないかと思います。それでも、長い伝統や文化を伝えようとするのは意義深いことと思います。

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Beautiful time/

Runs/

Before the tiered dolls stand/

Calligraphy and translation by Chio

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Following is what an elderly lady says who I respect deeply: “When you look up and see the sky, and if you have a bed to sleep on tonight, everything about your life is OK”

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私が尊敬してやまない年配の女性の言葉です：「上を見上げたら空が見えて、今晩寝るところがあればそれで良いのよ」

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Today I went to my late mother’s hometown, Hirakata, Osaka to visit her family grave, which I regularly do twice a year.  It is a good old place that brings me fond memories, however, I am afraid it is moving away from me little by little.  For, I think, people I used to see there have all left me.

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今日は、年に2回の亡母の枚方の実家の墓参りに行ってきました。懐かしい思い出を呼び起こしてくれる場所ですが、段々と遠ざかっているようにも思います。多分、そこにまつわる人たちが全部いなくなったからだと思います。

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Light flows through the/

Hometown to/

Be a river in spring/

Calligraphy and translation by Chio

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My important friend who brought many delicacies to the party the other day, also gave me some Sauerkraut.  I think this was not exactly the first time for me to taste it, but it was definitely the first time to have a substantial amount.  I surely enjoyed it!

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先日の女子会にたくさんご馳走を運んでくれた友人がこのザワークラウトもくれました。全く初めて食べた訳ではないと思いますが、こんなにしっかりいただいたのは初めてで、美味しかったです！

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Heard a noise of a cabbage/

Tighten up swirling/

Calligraphy and translation by Chio

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〜Copying the calligraphy by my teacher　 快活さ〜

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I have done this many times before and I am determined to continue this way of practicing as long as my life lasts.  Then, once again, I practiced copying my first teacher had left.  “It is desirable to spend days with the flow of spirits of the young.”

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こういう稽古は何度もしていますし、今後も命ある限り続けるのだと思いますが、そこで初めの師匠が遺してくれた書の臨書です。『青年の朗らかな快活さをもって日を送るということこそ相応わしい』

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I was gazing into this painting for some time at an acquaintance’s place, and she gave it to me.  I was moved and felt very happy, because it must have been given to her by her important friend.  I had a feeling it looked like a faraway place both spaciously and timewise.  And I was inspired to write “Light flows”.

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知り合いの家でこの絵に見入っていたら、プレゼントしてもらえました。きっと大事なご友人からの贈り物だったでしょうに。遥かなる時空の風景のように見えましたので、『光流れて』と書きたくなりました。

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I received a huge bouquet on a beautiful spring day.  I just put the flowers in a vase, which looked so small, indeed!  I offer my deepest thanks.

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綺麗な春の日に大きな花束が届きました。とりあえず、そのまま花瓶に入れましたが、いかにも花瓶が小さく見えました。感謝。

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Packed into a bundle are/

So many gerbera flowers of different colors/

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Calligraphy and translation by Chio

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A very good, longtime friend of mine came with a lot of homemade delicacies and quality booze; and precious antique cups for tea from ancient China around four hundred years ago, which we used as saké cups.  Despite all those good things to eat and drink; and to see and use; on the girls’ dolls festival day, our conversation was the best thing we had.

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大切な古い友人がたくさんのお手製のご馳走と上等のお酒と、そして貴重な骨董品（康熙年製）の茶器を持ってきてくれました。尤もそれを酒器に使いましたが。それでも、雛祭りの日の女子会としては、何よりも会話が尊いご馳走でした。

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Cold days of lilacs/

Nothing moves/

In the antique shop/

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O the month of February/

A dreamer/

At the antique market/

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Calligraphy and translation by Chio

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