2018/07/02 A&B @ Lake Biwa

Hey, is that Oki-no-Shiraishi?

I think so. Oki-no-Shiraishi is near the center of the lake.

I see. I still can't believe how big this lake is.

I’m Akito. Today, Ben and I are on a boat on Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. This boat is does a one-day tour around Lake Biwa’s islands.

Akito, what was the name of the first island we went to?

Okishima.

Oh, right. And this is called Oki-no-Shiraishi. They sound similar, but Okishima is bigger.

It's the biggest island on Lake Biwa. About two hundred eighty people live there. In Japan, it is the only island on a lake that people live on. Oki-no-shiraishi is actually just a group of large rocks.

So can we go on those rocks?

I don't think so.

Too bad. I wanted to juggle on top of the rocks.

Ben and I are a street performance duo called A&B. We are traveling aroud Japan to become better performers.

Hello. Is this your first time visiting Lake Biwa?

Yes.

Well then, let me give you a quiz. How big is Lake Biwa.

Is it about half the size of Shiga Prefecture?

I think it's bigger. It must cover about 70 percent of Shiga.

No. Lake Biwa covers only about 16 percent of Shiga Prefecture.

Really? I thought it was bigger.

Well, it is the biggest lake in Japan. Most of the water used in the Kansai area is taken from Lake Biwa. If people say bad things about Shiga, we say, We're going to stop Lake Biwa’s water.

You can stop the water?

No, no. it's just the a joke.

Oh, okay. Anyway, can you tell us about the next island, Chikubujima?

Sure. I think most people from Shiga have been to it. Since a long time ago, people have said the gods live there.

Wow.

We arrived at Chikubujima. After walking around for a while, we stop at a place with a nice view.

Hey, what's that? People are throwing things.

That’s kawarake throwing.

Kawarake? What's that.

Kawarake is the a small white plate made of clay. You write your wish on it, and throw it toward that torii gate down there. If it goes through the torii, your wish come true.

Let me try it. My with is to become the best street performer in the world.

Oh, no.

To become the best, you'll have to work much harder.

Oh, don't tell me what to do.

After leaving Chikubujima, we go to Takeshima.

This island I really strange. It looks like a different island from each direction.

Yeah, it's famous for that. And the whole island is a temple.

Really? Actually, this whole lake feels like a temple to me.

Ah, maybe you're right.

Soon, the sun goes down. The view is amazing. It's too bad we can't stya at Lake Biwa longer.

2018/06/29 The restaurant with many orders E３

The two gentlemen were shaking with fear. They were in a restaurant that would not serve them food. It was them that would be served as food.

We are going to be made into western-style food. Run.

The two men tried to get out using the previous door. But it wouldn’t open. Just then, they saw another door on the other side of the room. There were two big keyholes and words that said, Thank you for all your hard work. Now please come in. Two blue eyes looked at the men through the big keyholes.

Oh, no.

The two started to cry. Then, they heard voices behind the door.

Oh, no. They know. And they haven’t put salt on themselves.

It's a our boss’s fault. He made the mistake to ride write, we are very sorry for all the orders. That was stupid.

I don't care of if they know now. He is not going to let us eat them anyway. Not even their boss bones.

But if they don't come in, the boss will say it is our mistake.

Okay, let's talk to them. Hello, guests. Hurry and come in. We have washed the plates for you. The vegetables are ready. We just need to mix you with the vegetables to make a salad.

If you don't want to become a salad, we can fry you. come, quickly.

The two men’s faces became full of wrinkles just like a crushed ball of paper. They cried silently.

No, no. don't cry. The cream will come off. What? Yes, sir. They will be ready soon.

Did you hear that? Our boss is waiting for you. His napkin is ready, and he has a knife in his hand. Now, come.

Oh, no.

I don't want to die.

The men cried and cried. Then, suddenly.

Their two big white dogs broke down the door and ran into the room. The blue eyeballs disappeard. The dogs ran back and forth the in the hallway. But after one big bark, they jumped at the door with the big keyholes. The door broke, and the dog ran into the darkness.

Then, the room disappeared like smoke. The two were left shaking without their clothes. They looked around and saw their clothes, shoes and everything they took off hanging on tree branches. Then, strong winds blew, grass moved, leaves rustled and the trees made strange sounds. Soon their dogs came back. The two men heard a voice.

Masters. Masters.

We're here.

Come. Quickly.

The two men called out to the guide they lost in the forest. They were saved. The two men ate sweet dumplings their guide brought them. Then, they bought mountain birds at the hotel and went home. But even when they got home and took a hot bath, their faces were still full of wrinkles. And those never disappeared.

2018/06/28 Chile

Nice to meet you. you can't stop looking at me, can you? Oh, I know. Everyone is interested in my long, thin shape. Well, sit down and let me tell you about myself.

I am the Republic of Chile. My capital is Santiago, and my population is about 18 million. My neighbors are Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. The Pacific Ocean is on my west. As you noticed, I am very long and thin. Can anyone guess how long I am? The answer is 4329 kilometers. I am about twice as big as Japan.

You'll love the beautiful scenery of the Andes Mountains. That’s the world’s longest mountain range, you know. The wet air from the tropical forests of the Amazon can't go over the Andes, and the sea is cold, so not much water goes into the air. Because of these two factors, there are no clouds. You can't have rain without clouds. That is why you can find the driest place on the Earth, the Atacama Desert, right here.

The Atacama Desert is a little smaller than Hokkaido, and it rains less than ten millimeters per year. Yes, that’s right. Ten millimeters a year, not a day. It is said that there's even a place which hasn’t had rain for more than 40 years. Can you imagine?

But even in such a place, you will find an oasis. An oasis is a place in a desert with green plants. In the Atacama Desert, the plants get water from the longest river here, the Loa River. And the water of the Loa River comes from the melted snow of the Andes Mountains. It's all connected, you see.

Recently, the river’s water level is getting lower. One reason is the large amout of water used at copper mines. I am the world’s biggest producer of copper.

Copper is important for my country’s economy, but water is important, too. without water from the river, people cannot live. So there are places that have turned into ghost towns. Other towns are in trouble, too. One old man said, We have to keep taking care of the land. If we stop, the land will become completely dry. Thank you sir for taking care of my land.

Lastly, I want to tell you about my night sky. You will be able to see the star pattern of the Southern Cross very clearly in the Atacama Desert. Some places in the desert are in a very high place over 2000 meters above sea level and very dry. That is why you can see the stars so clearly.

If you want to see the bluest blue sky and a night sky full of twinkling stars, come visit me one day. I know you will fall in love with me. Bye.

2018/06/27 A friend of mine

Hey, Megumi, where will we go for a our club’s summer training camp?

I’m still thinking about it. Hotels are so expensive.

A friend of mine is the leader of a tennis club at a different university. I can ask him for suggestions.

A friend of mine. How many times has Takeshi talked about his friends?

He is really good at tennis. He came in third in the national high school tournament.

Takeshi and I are in the same tennis club at university. I’m the leader, and he is the sub-leader. He always talks about his friends.

My friend even won a match against a really famous tennis player.

Wow. But if he's so good, why is he playing in a tennis club at a university? Why doesn't he become a pro?

Well, actually, he hurt his knee.

Oh, I see. So, what's his name?

I don't think you know him.

But he came in third in the national tournament, right?

Maybe it was forth or fifth. I can't remember.

Our conversation always end like this. He never tells me who his friend is.

You know, maybe we can camp in tents instead of using a hotel.

You mean go camping and play tennis?

Yes. We can build a campfire and prepare on our own meals.

Ah, that sounds like fun.

My friend is really good at outdoor activities.

Oh, not again.

He once lived in the mountains for a month with only a knife. He's very famous and was once on the cover of the nature magazine.

Really? So, what's his name?

Oh, I don't think you know him.

That magazine is for people who really like outdoor activities.

You don't believe me?  It's true.

I believe you. Anyway, camping might be fun. We can make curry.

Speaking of curry, a friend of mine owns a curry shop. The shop was in a famous guidebook.

This time it's a curry shop? How many famous friends does Takeshi have?

His curry is so good.

So, what's his name?

He's not that famous.

You just told me his curry shop was in a famous guidebook. Why can't you tell me his name?

Well.. umm.. his name is.

His name is?

Takeshi.

Takeshi? That’s you. You were talking about yourself?

Yeah, I don't own a curry shop, but I’m good at making curry. Also, I've gone camping many times, so I’m good at setting up tents.

Why didn’t you just tell me?

I don't know. I feel shy telling you about myself. Anyway, I really want to help you. What should I do?

 Well, if we're going camping, we’ll need a big van. Could you find one for us?

Sure. My friend.. I mean , I’m good at driving, I'll drive.

Takeshi might be more talented than I thought. And he is kind of cute.

2018/06/26 The Tanishi choja part2

An old farmer and his wife had no children. So they always prayed to the rice field gods for a child. One day, a tanishi snail talked to the old farmer. He wanted to be his son. The old man thought the Tanishi Snail was a gift from the rice field gods. The Tanishi Snail became their son. He was a good son, and he helped his parents with their work. One day, he took rice to a rich man. The rich man was very impressed with this Tanishi Snail. He then decided to give one of his daughters to the Tanishi Snail as his wife.

The Tanishi Snail and his wife were very happy together. They were always laughing and having fun. They both took good care of the old man and his wife. They all lived very happily.

One day, the wife decided to go to the shrine for the rice fields gods. At the gate of the shrine, the Tanishi Snail said, You can go and pray to the gods alone. I will wait for you. Just put me down in the rice field.

The young wife was worried. She didn’t want to leave him alone. But she listened to her husband. The young wife put him down in the rice field. Then, she went to pray at the shrine.

She finished praying and came back to the rice field. Where was her husband?

Oh, no. There are so many Tanishi snails here.

The young wife checked the Tanishi snails one by one. But she did not find her husband.

She became more and more worried. The young wife went through many fields. She fell down again and again. She was crying and looking, but she still could not find him. Her beautiful yukata was not beautiful anymore. But she did not care about it. She only thought about her husband. Darling, where are you? I can't live without you.

Then, she heard a voice behind her. Dearest, dearest, here I am. It was her husband’s voice.

The young wife turned aroud and saw a handsome young man standing there. It's me. I was a tanishi snail, but thanks to your love for me, I have now become a human.

The young wife was so happy. The young couple went to the shrine and thanked the rice field gods again and again.

The young couple returned home. The old man and his wife were also surprised and happy. The news reached the rich man, and he too was very happy.

Years passed. When the rich man died, he gave all his rice fields to the young couple. They worked very hard, and the family became very, very rich. Then, people called them Tanishi Choja, or the Tanishi Snail Millionaires.