Barack Obama's Visit to Hiroshima - オバマ大統領の広島訪問

Mainich Shinbun article cover page

In the recent, long-waited visit to Hiroshima by Mr. President, Obama made a 17-minute speech, which was memorable to many "Hibakushas". Local newspapers posted its full text with their own translation, and it is amusing to read some of them to compare the subtle differences in the choice of words. Mainichi Shinbun's web site is probably most comprehensive as it post the full video with the Japanese subtitle as well as the text in both languages:

http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160528/k00/00m/040/171000c

広島では長く待たれていた米大統領の被爆地訪問が実現し、オバマ大統領が17分に及ぶ所感を述べた。内容についての思いはこもごもだが、被爆者たちにとっては記憶に残るものとなっただろう。新聞各紙にはその全文が掲載され、それぞれの翻訳に訳語の選び方などの違いを比較して読むのも楽しい部分だ。毎日新聞サイトには字幕付き映像の完全版も掲載されているので、まとまりとしては良いアーカイブだと思う。

足利フラワーパーク - Wisteria at Ashikaga

HISのバスツアーで世界最大級の藤棚を誇る足利フラワーパークに行った。ゴールデンウィーク明けでも昼間ではなくライトアップのツアーなら確保できた。紫色の藤は既に見頃を過ぎて終盤だったが、それでも見事なもの。大移植の末、ここまで育てたスタッフの方々には敬意を表するばかり。次回、来年以降は時期を吟味して訪問だ。

Right after the Golden Week holidays, we joined the HIS bus tour to Ashikaga Flower Park to watch their renowned world's largest wisteria shelves. Because the daytime tours were not available, we took a lit-up visit plan. The peak of violet color blossoms was already over, but their views were still amazing and magnificent. White and yellow blossoms seemed in the right timing. Next time, we will carefully choose the season. If you are interested in how the park will turn out ultimately, watch the link below:
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/03/ashikaga-flower-park-japan.html

若冲展 - Jakuchu Exhibition, Prelude

開場前の朝9 時に都美術館に行ってみたら、連休中の平日と言えど、列の蛇行が入口前の広場を埋め尽くして2時間待ちくらいの異常な様相。他の用事に切り替えて、後日出直ししよう。カラヴァッジォ展の行列は20m程度だったが今日は観ない。

I went to Ueno Park at 9 in the morning, a weekday in the midst of Golden Week holidays, hoping to see Jakuchu Exhibition at Metropolitan Art Museum, but the curving queue (like a snake) occupied the entire open space of the entrance. It would take some 2 hours to go in, which was insane to me, and I decided try on a later day, perhaps Friday evening. The line for Caravaggio was only 20 meters long, but I was not inclined to see it today either.

小海線沿いの桜道 - Izumi Line

小海線の甲斐小泉と甲斐大泉間を線路と並走する道に桜の木がちらほらと列車の中から目に入り、帰り道に歩いてみようと思い立った。全行程は約6.5kmほど。車道の端を歩くので車の往来には注意が必要。ゴールデンウィークだったが、交通量はさほど多くはなかった。泉郷を抜ける気持ちよいくねくね道だ。

*1: Ayako Fuji's Cafe

*2 Pie and bakery shop

*3 

*4

*5

*6 The best tree on the road

*7 It is said Izumi Line

Kai-Koizumi was the goal.

Between Kai-Koizumi and Kai-Oizumi on Koumi Line, I could see beautiful cherry tree still in full bloom from the train on the road that ran along the railway, and I thought of walking on my way back. It is about 6.5km between the two stations, and you have to walk the side end of the road avoiding the running cars, but the traffic was not so heavy even in the Golden Week holidays. A comfortable winding road.