The day of Winter Solstice and "Yuzu"...

今日は北半球で冬至を迎えた。実に冬至らしい天気の曇り空だ！気温もかなり冷え込んでいる。

１３：１９

この時間に昼の長さが最も短くなり、明日以降に少しずつ昼が長くなっていく。太陽はその時刻の前にもっとも力が弱まり、そしてその時刻以降に少しずつ夏至へ向けてその力を強めていく。

自然界もそれを敏感に感じ取っていることだろう。感覚が鈍ってしまった人間も無意識にこの変化を、どんより多く灰色の雲と肌にしみいる寒さに感じるのかもしれない。

We have "Touji" (Winter Solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere today. The weather today is definitely representing "Touji" in its gloomy clouds. It is also chilly outside.

13:19

As of the time, the length of daytime will become the shortest, and it is going to be longer little by little from tomorrow. And the power of the Sun will also become the weakest then. And later, it is becoming stronger.  

All the creatures of Natural world except for human-beings may catch the hint quickly and sensitively. On the other hand, even our dull senses may catch it feeling the grayish weather and the coldness.  

いつものスタバでコーヒーを飲んで、月例の写経に一心寺へ足を運んだ。月に2枚写経を父方、母方の先祖供養のためにしている。今月は各々が２２巻目になる月だ。つまりほぼ2年継続したことになる。

１２月２２日という日付けと２２巻目という、「２」という数字の羅列が重なった。

After one coffee as routine at a Starbucks, I went to Isshinji-Temple to do a monthly "Heart Sutra" writing. I make it a rule to write it 2 times per month for my father's and mother's ancestors. It will be the 22nd  of my Heart Sutra writing this month which means that I've been doing it for almost 2 years. 

The date "22nd of December" and the 22nd writing which is my favorite sequence numbers of 2. 

写経を終えて、受付で和袈裟と数珠をかえすと、馴染みの係りの人が案内状が届いたかと確認された。ここで写経を始めてしばらくして、写経を継続で続けるなら登録をしたら良いと親切に教えてくれた。ある一定枚数の写経を書き上げると、表彰と記念品が頂けるそうだ。その最初の区切りが11月末付けで２５巻だそうだ。すでにその数字は超えている。

でも、最終のゴールは１０８巻だ。人間の煩悩の数のあの「１０８」という数字。かなり気が遠くなる数字だ。一か月に一枚かいても、９年はかかる。自分のゴールもあと７年ほど先にある。

I went down to the reception to return a "Wagesa" and a "Jyuzu" after writing, one regular staff asked me if I'd already received an Invitation latter for the ceremony. A bit while after I had started writing Heart Sutra in this temple, she suggested me that I better register as a regular visitor because I'm qualified to get an award with a special gift after a certain number of writings. And the first is going to after 25th writing as of the end of November. Of course, I'm reaching more than that. 

However, the final goal is going to be 108th which is representing the number of human-being's 108 Kleshas (or evil passions/desires) in Buddhism. It is a big number, and will take me 9 years if I keep writing one per month. Now 7 years left. 

冬至には湯船に柚子を浸して入る伝統がある。あとで近くの先頭にゆず湯に入りに行くつもりだ。午前の写経の帰り道、饅頭屋でゆず饅頭が売られていた。折角だし、季節感を感じるために買うことにした。

In the day of "Touji", we are traditionally taking "Yuzu Bath" in which a Citrus kind "Yuzu" is soaked. I'm going to a "Sento" (Public Bath) later to enjoy it. On the way home, I found "Yuzu Manjyu" at a shop, and bought one to feel this seasonal moment. 

ゆずの香りがきいている。その上に、かなり甘い！

そうこうブログを書き上げている内に１３時１９分を過ぎている。本当は三輪山に登りに行こうかと思ったけど、遠慮して正解だな・・・。

今日は静かに家ですごし、冬至を感じるに限る。ゆず湯の湯船のなかでしっかりと体を温めながら・・・。

Very strong smell of "Yuzu" and very sweet!

The time "13:19" has already passed writing this post. I was thinking of going to Mt. Miwa today, but better I didn't. 

I better spend the day at home quietly feeling the moment of "Touji". Definitely in the hot "Yuzu Bath".