Solo Decamerone or Information Detox ― 2020/03/02
Hello from a corona-infected country.
Three patients of the new coronavirus have been identified and people are frantically looking for face masks, alcohol-based disinfectants and for some strange reasons, toilet roles. Despite all these, Fukuoka is still alive and relatively calm. There are plenty food to eat and water and electricity are provided as usual.
Although there is confusion on how to handle this particular situation nationwide (as there was in 2011, just after the earthquakes and tsunami—we haven’t learnt anything from that panic!) and fear that we may not be able to host the Olympic games this summer (which means a massive embarrassment and damage on our already moribund economy), at least currently we are able to eat three times a day and take a nice walk without mask in quiet walking paths.
We are requested not to go out if it is unnecessary. Although I would argue against this ill-planned government order, it is the easiest task for me to achieve. I just do what I do everyday: being solitary, avoiding crowded places and close contact with anyone (and going nearly everywhere alone not using packed public transportations). Plus, I don't have to feel left behind not taking part in social events or gathering, which is a bonus! At the moment, I don't have to feel blamed for enjoying leisurely reading ( and snacking on something) in broad daylight, which I have found much more therapeutic than watching news on TV that is scare-mongering and checking SNSs on which everyone blames each other for doing or not doing this and that-- both of them give me extra stress.
I personally, and secretly, hope that this particular situation makes people realise we in fact do not have to get together like hamsters all the time to enjoy ourselves and being solitary will be the next trend, replacing showing off how many friends you have on SNSs. Then I would be the queen of solo outing and the trendiest person in the world!
Boy from Matsuyama ― 2020/03/03
I recently came to know and have been crazy for Masaoka Shiki a Haiku/Waka poet, editor, columnist, researcher and (I dare to say) influencer who died at the age of 34 over 100 years ago.
I used to have absolutely no idea about him. I only knew that he was a friend of Natsume Soseki and suffered a deadly illness for a long time, and his famous, literally profile, portrait.
It started with a serial novel in Nikkei newspaper (no longer continued due to the author’s ill health) depicting friendship between Soseki and him when they were young students. In the novel both men are so lively and charming that I was instantly drawn into the novel and at the same time fascinated by Shiki who seems to have all charms a young boy should have; headlong, loyal to his friends and family, and a little bit impudent.
I started reading his works. As I am unfortunately not at all familiar with Haiku or Waka which are his speciality, I read his short columns and diary mainly on his illness written in his sick (or rather, death) bed. Sound gloomy or miserable? I used to think so, too.
However, even though the most of what I read was about his unbearable pain and agony, his words are very colourful, humorous, even refreshing, and believe it or not, energetic. I don’t know why, but this young and frisky boy soothes my mind. It’s by no means an “oh, look at his miserable man, my situation is much better than this” type of feeling. I feel refreshed after reading his works as if having swam alone and freely in a big deep pool or having had a witty chat with a friend on the same wavelength.
Hankie Mask ― 2020/03/03
Today's Cat ― 2020/03/20
Washroom with a View ― 2020/03/25
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