光希まさとの創造の世界へようこそ！

七月二十四日、土用の丑の日なり。

何事も、なきににたるこそ、いみじくあはれなれ。されば、年に数度の土用の丑の日こそ、心待ちにせらるるものなれ。

今宵、鰻を賞味せんと思い立ちぬ。世に珍しからぬ食べ物なれど、この日ばかりは格別の味わいあり。高価なれば、日頃は遠慮するもの。されど、誕生日に劣らぬ大切な日と心得て、思い切りて求めたり。

鰻の香ばしき薫り、口に含めば、とろけゆく味わい。舌の上にて、夏の暑さを忘れしむるほどの涼やかさあり。かくも贅沢なるものを、しばしば食するは、かえって味わいを損なうものか。

一年に幾度もあらぬこの日を、心して楽しむこそ、人生の愉しみというべきか。日々の暮らしに追われ、ともすれば忘れがちなる、生きることの喜びを思い出させてくれるなり。

食ふ物など、さらにおほくあらんは、さばかり飽かぬ心地もせで、あなあさましと覚ゆるぞかし。（現代語訳）
何事も、ないに等しいほどわずかであることこそ、とても味わい深いものだ。食べ物などが、たくさんあるのはそれほど満足感もなく、むしろあきれるほどだ。

されど、この土用の丑の日の鰻は、まことに尊き食べ物にて、心に深く刻まるるものなり。

来年の土用の丑の日も、かくありたしと思いつつ、満ち足りて筆を擱く。

つれづれなるままに　光希まさと

Tsurezuregusa-style: A Diary Entry on Doyo no Ushi no Hi

July 24th, the day of Doyo no Ushi no Hi.

It is in the scarcity of things that we find their true beauty and poignancy. Thus, the few days of Doyo no Ushi no Hi each year are occasions to be eagerly anticipated.

This evening, I resolved to savor unagi. Though not a rare delicacy in the world, on this day it holds a special flavor. Its high price usually gives me pause, but considering this day as important as one’s birthday, I indulged without hesitation.

The fragrant aroma of the eel, its taste melting in my mouth – on my tongue, it brings a coolness that makes me forget the summer heat. Perhaps partaking of such luxury too often would diminish its pleasure.

To mindfully enjoy these few days in a year – is this not one of life’s true pleasures? It reminds us of the joy of living, so easily forgotten in our daily routines.

As for food, having too much can lead to a lack of satisfaction and even disgust. However, the unagi on this Doyo no Ushi no Hi is truly a precious meal, one that leaves a deep impression on the heart.

As I set down my brush, feeling content, I find myself already looking forward to next year’s Doyo no Ushi no Hi, hoping it will be as delightful as today.

Reflections in leisure, by Koki Masato