Swan magnifying glass

 We look forward to walking through the old town and going to vintage shops in the countryside. Some of those stores are full of really old rubbish, and I don't think I'll ever come back. Nevertheless however, sometimes I can find something really good. Authentic, antique and vintage items from the good old days. What I found the other day is this lovely swan of magnifying glass. 

This is not only cute, but also not fake like the modern ones. The price was about the same as one lunch with coffee. With my swan you can see smiling girl among the serious-looking guys in the picture.  ( This old photo was in an old poetry book. Perhaps the first owner used it as a bookmark. )

So, be brave enough to entre an old store in an old town. You might even find something wonderful from a far-off era. Items made in the past are good quality. And I think, things you discover like them are like small bonuses in the life.  

　古い町並みの骨董店やビンテージショップに入るのが好きです。なかには本当にガラクタばかりなのもあって、そういう時は、もう二度と来ないだろうと思う。でも時々やっぱりいい物を見つけるのです。先日は白鳥の形をした虫眼鏡を見つけました。とても気に入ったのは可愛いだけでもなく、現代のような偽物でもないところ。上の写真の中の真面目な顔をした男たちに交じって一人、笑顔の女の子がいるのがわかりますか。（ちなみにこの写真は古い詩集に挟まっていたもので、最初の持ち主がたぶんシオリに使ったと思われます。

こんなふうに見つける物は人生の中のちょっとしたボーナスみたいなものじゃないでしょうか、古いお店があったら勇気をもって入ってみてください。遥か遠い昔からの、なにか素晴らしい物が見つかるかもしれませんよ

Harvest

 I hope you enjoy the summer days. Suddenly became hot here in Japan, The heat get tired. 

 Introduce some fruits within the last month. "Loquat" ( we say Biwa) is not a Japanese original fruit. It came from China in ancient times. This fruit can be lined up in a supermarket for a short period of time. You may have a chance to eat, if you were here. Pest and eat, very juicy and good taste. It takes a long time for a tree to bear fruit. We say that the planter cannot eat while he is alive. it takes so long to grow a tree. Dried wood swords are hard enough to bend iron. 

Our tree is a tree planted by an old parson. This year was delicious. 

Biwa, Loquat

and  "Yamamomo" it similar to other berry but different in taste. Our tree made fruit for first time this year. probably the tree has grown large and it has become easier to accept pollen. Unfortunately, this fruit does not line up in a supermarket ( because it is easily damaged ) However, it's planted a lot in parks and street trees, if you have a chance, you will be able to taste it. Wait until it turns red like blood. Otherwise, more sour than lemon. Raw eat or take seeds and make jam, it tastes unique. The recommendation is to pickle with brandy and the same amount of rock candy ( Crystal sugar ) Mature for about a year,  and it's made into a sauce such as chicken or shrimp, it is sweet and very delicious.  

ひどい暑さですね。最近の収穫の写真です。だいぶ昔の人が植えたうちの琵琶、今年はなぜか美味しかったです。ヤマモモは初めて実をつけました。見たことがない人も多いようです。スーパーに並ばないのですが、公園や街路樹で見かけますね。そのまま食べられるのですが、血のように赤くなるまで待たないと、えらく酸っぱいです。苦労して絞ってジャムにすると、かき氷につけるシロップみたいな味になります。私の一番のお勧めはヤマモモ酒にしてステーキソースにすることです。ブランデーと氷砂糖で数年は寝かせます。塩コショウをしたチキン、または殻付きのエビなど、このお酒を入れ蒸し焼きにすると、めちゃくちゃ美味しいですよ。

Pottery market in Mashiko

We are in holiday of about 10 days, and went to a pottery market of Mashiko 益子 in Tochigi 栃木.

There is a lot of pottery kind in Japan.

Mashiko is  125 km on the Joban highway from Tokyo.
The market held consecutive holidays in May is very big, and it takes 1 day to see.

益子の陶器市に行って来ました。
益子焼はあまり有名ではないので、関東以外の方は知らないかもしれませんね。
とても大きな市がゴールデンウィークに開催されていて、１日では見きれないくらいです

I forgot to take a picture of market …

The shade which repeated color many times is the feature for Mashiko pottery .

益子焼きの特徴はこの何度も塗り重ねた色合いでしょうか

I bought….

Rice bowl. 500yen

Small vase ( H 10cm and 5cm) 400yen

Flowerpot 600yen

Flowerpot

Mashiko pottery can be broken easily, so it's necessary to be careful.
Even if it doesn't go well for your dish, flowerpot or vase would be a fun gift for you :)


主人が真剣に花瓶を選んでいるのが意外でした。私は、植木鉢を見るのが楽しかったです。　機会があったら行ってみて下さいね