I hope this finds you safe and happy.
Three terrible years have passed since our Good Earth started to suffer
from the invisible enemy COVID.
Are we now seeing the vague light at the end of this long tunnel? I really
wish that.
As the greeting of the new year, I would like to tell you how we passed
the days of 2022.
During the Corona period, which still continues, we had only few guests.
No e-mail came. No telephone call. No visitors. Friends could not visit
each other.
Only flowers come and go with the passing of the seasons.
We were not flying, jumping, nor running any more. We were walking slowly.
I know I will soon start toddling.
Before that, we wanted to have small trips in near districts.
We wanted to see our old friends again before it gets too late.
So, we stepped out.
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| Mrs. Yamaguchi Taishoya-Shiiba-Sanso (center) |
In January to Ureshino hot spring district. Stayed at Shiiba Sanso. Saw Mr. and Mrs.
Yamaguchi, the owners. Their deceased mother was our good friend.
In April to Saga City. Met Mr. and Mrs. Otonari, long friends of us. We had a happy
time with them, laughing so much because Mr.Otonari was a professional
Pun talker. Who would imagine that Mr. Otonari would die suddenly only
one week after our reunion.
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| Mr. Otonari, my husband, me, Mrs. Otonari |
April. We visited Aso, Uchinomaki. Stayed at Sozankyo.
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| Mr. and Mrs. Nagata Sozankyo |
Very gorgeous ryokan. Mr. and Mrs. Nagata are old friends of us.
Their building was heavily damaged by the flood and the earthquake. But
it was renovated beautifully.
Their son is now doing the business very successfully.
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| Mr. and Mrs. Kawazu , Komeya Bessou, Tsuetate |
Then went to Tsuetate and stayed with Komeya Bessou. The young owner is
also
our friend.
Saw Kumamoto Castle. The terrible earthquake, April 2016, damaged National
treasure castle heavily, and now it is on the long way of reconstruction.
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| Mrs. Satomi Horio Hitoyoshi Ryokan |
May, we went to Hitoyoshi and stayed at Hitoyoshi Ryokan. The River Kuma violated
this old traditional ryokan in July, 2020. They have almost repaired the
ryokan and now it is re-opened. We went there to cheer up Mr. and Mrs.
Horio who are struggling to stand up again.
We crossed the bay and visited Amakusa Islands. I have long wanted to come
here. These islands are the place where the underground Christians kept
their religious faith during the long period of Prohibition in the feudal
time of Japan.
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| Masaomi, Shoshiro, Akihiko, Harumi, Sanae |
In July, five of us made a two-day trip to Sasebo district. My husband Akihiko,
age 88, younger brother Shoshiro, 82, youngest brother Masaomi 81, youngest
brother's wife Sanae 73, and me Harumi, 78.
Five young-at-hearts made a noisy travel, talking, laughing, quarreling.
This is the first trip for the brothers to go together. How I wish we could
go again before it gets too late.
October. We invited our friends to go together to Yufuin to see "Gramophone Bunraku" held in Tsukanoma.
Two same sets of old SP records of Joruri were played incessantly on two
100 year-old gramophones. And to this accompaniment, Joruri puppets were
moved by the players. It was a fabulous performance. We stayed at Tsukanoma,
a unique, artistic accommodation with a super-luxurious hot spring of pale-blue
water!
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| Tsukanoma owner Mr. Yoichiro Horie |
November. We visited the suburbs of our own city. The Kodomo Beach of Yobuko town.
We have never been there before. In June every year, there is a festival
here on this small beach. Men carry the festival floats on their shoulders
and step into the water. They go round the shallow bay. Audience see the
parade from the beach. Maybe this June, we can see it (hopefully).
We spend the last day of year 2022 in a hotel near the Munakata Shrine
in Fukuoka Prefecture. We enjoyed our 2022 though there were many restrictions.
Good bye, Tiger, and welcome Rabbit
We wish you a very carrot-ful Rabbit Year of 2023.
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Thank you for visiting this page.
I hope you will return.
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