A Sad Discovery at Sasao Beach 笹尾ビーチでの悲しい発見

 

After an early dinner, I went to my usual spot at Sasao Beach on the Aji Peninsula to play the shakuhachi and look out over the Seto Inland Sea. 

Soon, I noticed the smell of a dead animal.

I wondered if it was a dog or a wild boar, but I was wrong. 

It was a sea turtle (possibly a loggerhead) washed up on the shore. 

This is actually the second time I have found a sea turtle at this beach.

It was large, measuring over one meter in length. 

A rope was wrapped around its body, and its head and tail were already starting to decompose. 

It was a heartbreaking sight, so I immediately contacted the Sea Turtle Association of Japan.

早めの夕食を済ませて、いつもの庵治半島・笹尾ビーチへ向かいました。

尺八を吹きながら瀬戸内海を眺めていると、どこからか動物の死骸のような匂いが漂ってきました。

「犬やイノシシの死体かな？」と思いましたが、違いました。

そこに打ち上げられていたのは、ウミガメ（アカウミガメ？）1頭でした。

笹尾ビーチでウミガメを発見したのは、これで2回目です。

大きさは1メートルを超えていました。

胴体にはロープが巻き付けられており、頭や尻尾はすでに腐り始めていました。

あまりに悲しい姿でしたが、早速「日本ウミガメ協議会」へ連絡を済ませました。

First skin diving of 2026 初のスキンダイビング

My first skin diving of 2026 after recovering from surgery!

The underwater world is just magical.

I was pretty moved to be back in the sea that I love.

It's been a while, so I carefully checked my gear and weights first.

A little bit of current and swell early in the morning, but good visibility!

My favorite Nabeka-chan (elegant blenny) welcomed me back, and the Koke-ginpo (mosshead blenny) and Kuroshitanashi-umiushi (black dorid nudibranch) were super cute as always.

Life is good! ❣❣❣

手術から体調が回復して、2026年、初のスキンダイビング。

水中はやっぱり別世界ですね。

「またこうして大好きな海に潜れたんだ」と、じんわり感動が込み上げてきました。

しばらくダイブしていなかったので、まず器材やウェイトの確認から。

早朝の海は、流れとうねりが少々ありましたが、透明度は良好！

お馴染みのナベカちゃんは「お帰りなさい！」と言ってくれたよう〜。

コケギンポやクロシタナシウミウシも、相変わらず可愛かったです。

最高❣❣❣

Pumpkin flower petal soup カボチャ花びらスープ

 

Craving for hot soup in the peak of summer.

My early morning routine: patrolling the garden.

After hand-pollinating the pumpkins, collected the petals.

Tried adding them to my morning egg soup.

The petals absorb the flavor beautifully—soft texture and a deeply comforting taste❣

真夏こそ、スープが飲みたい。

毎朝の早朝畑パトロール。

カボチャの受粉後、花びらを回収。

朝食の卵スープに入れてみた。

スープが染みたトロッとした食感、滋味深い味わい❣

Green pepper leaves ピーマンの葉

 

Growing 4 green pepper plants and they are doing great! 🌱

I raised these babies all the way from seeds.

The branches were getting a bit crowded, so I gave them a prune.

Since they are home-grown and completely pesticide-free, I couldn't let the pruned leaves go to waste—so I threw them into my red miso soup!

It was so delicious! 

A truly rich and unique flavor.

⚠️ Note: Eating pepper leaves is best for seed-grown plants. 

Store-bought seedlings might have pesticides on the leaves, so please be careful!

ピーマン4株が順調に成長中！🌱

種から育てたお気に入りの子たちです。

枝が込み合ってきたので剪定しました。

自分流の無農薬栽培なので、剪定した葉っぱも無駄にせず赤味噌汁へ投入！

旨かったです〜！贅沢な味わいでした。

⚠️ピーマンの葉を食べるお楽しみは、種から（または食用専用に）育てた特権ですね。市販の苗をお持ちの方は農薬の影響があるためご注意ください。

Pumpkin leaves カボチャの葉

 Recently discovered that pumpkin leaves could be consumed. 

I am beginning to love the taste of it... crunchy, and so refreshing.

I think no other vegetable can offer this type of taste.

Once the plant is establised, there are leaves that can be harvested almost daily.

My missus normally stir-fry them with some meat and condiments.

最近、カボチャの葉が食べられることを知りました。

その味がすっかり気に入ってしまいました…シャキシャキしていて、とても爽やかです。

他の野菜では、こんな味は味わえないと思います。

一度根付いてしまえば、ほぼ毎日収穫できます。

妻は普段、肉や調味料と一緒に炒めて食べています。

My First Surgery Experience 人生初の手術

 

コミュニティだより『あじ』に第16回目の連載を投稿しました。今回は「人生初の手術」について執筆しました。

My First Surgery Experience

"The only way to cure this is surgery." That is what the doctor told me.

It all started around the summer of 2022. I was trying to lift a large stone in my home garden when I heard a distinct "pop" near my lower back. Later, at the end of December, it happened while I was walking up the stairs. A sudden, sharp pain shot through me, and I collapsed on the spot. Since then, a persistent numbness and pain spread from my right buttock down to my toes. At its worst, I could barely walk even a few meters.

I visited various places, including clinics, orthopedic clinics, and chiropractors, but nothing improved. Believing I had to fix it myself, I dedicated myself to yoga, tai chi, stretching, and walking. Yet, the pain remained, and working in my beloved garden became increasingly difficult. I was completely at a loss for what to do.

Then one day, the numbness started spreading to my left buttock and thigh as well. Realizing how serious this was, I decided to do some deep research using AI (Artificial Intelligence) on my computer. Based on my symptoms, the AI actually guided me to a specific hospital and specialist right here in the city of Takamatsu.

I immediately visited that hospital for a thorough examination. The diagnosis was lumbar spinal stenosis. I successfully underwent surgery on 2nd June. Rehabilitation immediately commenced on 3rd June. I was discharged on 12th June and am now taking my time to rehabilitate at home, working towards full recovery. I should be able to resume my normal activities once again in early autumn.

Sakura Sakura on the Shakuhachi

Played Sakura Sakura under our Somei Yoshino Sakura tree with the birds chirping along...  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzfcuyIpoTc

2026 Somei Yoshino Sakura blooms

Our Somei Yoshino Sakura tree in full bloom. 
 うちのソメイヨシノの満開です。

Trip back home to Malaysia (2026)

 ちょこちょこばなし

～庵治町とケダ州─遠くて近い「ふるさと」の今～

よろしかったら、読んでみて下さい。

Here is a translation of the Japanese write-out of my last trip back home to Malaysia. You are welcomed to read if you have time. 

**************

I returned to my hometown in Malaysia after two years. It was a short two-week trip, but I was able to escape the Japanese cold and completely relax.

This time, for the first time, I used Hong Kong Express from Takamatsu Airport, transiting through Hong Kong to Penang Airport in northern Malaysia. Previously, I had used Kansai International Airport or Haneda International Airport, but this route was far easier.

Malaysia is a country of eternal summer. Although I arrived in the middle of the night, the temperature was a comfortable 27 degrees Celsius. My hometown is in Kedah state, which borders Penang state. It's a peaceful region with vast rice paddies, and the rice was just growing, creating a green carpet across the landscape. Seeing this scenery soothed my soul. As a child, I often went into the rice paddies and helped with tasks like planting and weeding. I even caught fish in the paddies. However, I hated being bitten by leeches.

Back then, the population of my hometown was much larger, but now it's significantly smaller. Like Aji-cho, most of the residents are elderly, and children are rarely seen.

I stayed in my hometown for about a week, enjoying short day trips to nearby towns by car every day, savoring local cuisine and durian, often called the "king of fruits."

I stayed in Penang for several days. For me, Penang is a place I never tire of visiting. It has a rich history, and delicious restaurants are scattered throughout the city. It's hot during the day, but strolling around the city in the morning or evening is very pleasant.

Penang's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular long-stay destination for Japanese people. The reasons for this seem to be its warm climate, good safety record, friendly atmosphere towards Japanese people, and excellent Japanese language support.

Shakuhachi at Aji Wai Marche

Playing the shakuhachi at the Aji Wai Marche event. 庵治わいマルシェで、尺八を吹かせてもらいました。（写真提供：藤岡つよかず）

Outdoor photo exhibition Kaiganji Temple

Participated in an event at Kaiganji Temple with an outdoor photo exhibition of Beautiful Fish. Was happy that the members of the hula dance group Imua Noa Makani came to see it. 真魚のみた里山里海プロジェクト（会場：海岸寺）で、美魚の写真展示で参加させて頂きました。フラダンスImua Noa Makaniの皆さんは見て下さって、うれしかったです。（写真提供：Imua Noa Makani）

First time to change tire 初めてのタイヤ交換

67 years old, and first time in my life to change a flat tire by myself. Oh, the joy of learning new things... 67歳、人生で初めて自分でパンクしたタイヤを交換しました。あぁ～、新しいことを学ぶ喜び…

Metal-frame car shed re-assembled 鉄パイプ車庫の再組立て

 

Strong gales dislocated the metal-frame car shed the other day.

Lucky to have some good friends helping me to re-assemble it.

Thank you so much!! 鉄パイプで作られた車庫は先日の暴風に倒されました。

再組立ては、良き友人たちに手伝ってもらいました。

サンキューベリーマッチ

Balik kampong trip to Malaysia マレーシア、年に一度の帰郷

Just returned from a relaxing two-week vacation in Malaysia. Spent quality time in my village in Kedah, and drove around the small towns nearby for short day trips. Also spent a few days wonderful days in Penang.

マレーシアでの2週間の旅から戻りました。 故郷のケダ州の村でゆったり過ごし、近隣の小さな町を車で巡る日帰り旅行も楽しみました。 ペナンでも素晴らしい数日間を過ごしました。

Playing Shakuhachi at the paddy fields.... 田んぼで尺八を吹く

Lucky to be able to eat durians... 幸運でドリアンを食べれた

Eating tosai, idli, vadai at a restaurant in Penang... ペナンでインド風の朝食を食べた。

Tai chi is fun!

 Hello everyone, Happy New Year! Here’s to new challenges in the new year.

Last year, I shared about my morning walks. This year, I’d like to talk about starting Tai Chi. I’ve actually wanted to try it for a long time, but never quite had the opportunity until recently. Last summer, I heard there was a Tai Chi club at the Aji Community Center and decided to go check it out. I was deeply moved by the warm welcome from the instructor and the members.

The Aji Tai Chi group has about 15 members. At 67 years old, I was told—surprisingly—that I’m actually the youngest! The instructor teaches us with great care. As a beginner, I’m currently learning "Introductory Tai Chi" and "Ten-Form Tai Chi." The movements may look simple at first glance, but they’re surprisingly challenging to master. Each movement has a poetic name inspired by animals or nature, like "Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane," "Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg," "Cloud Hands," and "Playing the Lute," which makes it even more interesting.

We practice once a week, and every session leaves me feeling energized and looking forward to the next one. I also try to practice at home (almost) every day. In early December, I participated for the first time in a performance of "Ten-Form Tai Chi" at a health and wellness festival held at Hottopiano.

Tai Chi itself is incredibly enjoyable, but what makes it even more special is the camaraderie among the members. Everyone is cheerful, and the atmosphere during practice is so relaxed that jokes are often exchanged. Members also actively engage in a kind of "barter system," swapping items like fish, sudachi (citrus), snacks, cucumbers, bell peppers, winter melon, basil, persimmons, and more.

Tai Chi at the community center is truly a joy. I hope to continue with it for a long time to come.

Fish Photo Exhibition & Talk Event @ Marugame City

Thanks to everyone's support, we were able to successfully hold the photo exhibition and talk event at "Marutasu" in Marugame City. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Marutasu and all the visitors who attended.

For the talk event, we were joined by Saki Hirose and Koji Nakano in a discussion with participants about "SDG 14: Life Below Water." It was a very meaningful initiative. Thank you all very much!

おさかな写真展＆トークイベント＠丸亀市

皆様のお陰をもちまして、丸亀市「マルタス」での写真展とトークイベントを無事に開催することができました。マルタスのスタッフの皆様をはじめ、ご来場いただいた皆様に心より感謝申し上げます。

トークイベントでは、Saki HiroseさんとKoji Nakanoさんにもご登壇いただき、参加者の皆様と「SDGs目標14（海の豊かさを守ろう）」についてディスカッション。とても有意義な取り組みとなりました。皆様、ありがとうございました！

Kimchi hotpot garden party

Today's menu was Kimchi hotpot. First time to cook this in our garden party. Lots of ingredients, taste was marvelous. To 'clean up' the pot, we had ramen noodles. We also had handmade cookies and pickled radish, sweet potato tarts, and lemon balm (from the garden) herb tea. Such a fun day. 
 今日のメニューは「キムチ鍋」です。ガーデンパーティーで初めての試み。具沢山で実にうまかった。〆はラーメンでした。他に手作りの米粉クッキーと大根の漬物、サツマイモタート、畑からのレモンバームハーブティー。全ては美味しくて、最高でした。

November 2025 Garden Party with friends

 仲間たちとガーデンパーティーをした。メニューは炊き込みうどんをはじめ、マレーシア風の汁粉、コーヒージェリー他。楽しい時間を共有できて、大変幸せでした。

Had some friends over for a cookout. Menu included udon noodles with lots of ingredients, red bean soup, coffee jelly, etc. What a fun day it was...

Winter radish, November 2025

Beautiful winter day in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan: 15 degrees, a light breeze, birds singing, and a radish harvest.香川県の冬の良き日。気温15度、穏やかな風に鳥のさえずり、そして大根の収穫。

 

Cook-out with friends from yoga class

Invited some friends from yoga class over for a cook-out. We made miso-based udon noodles with lots of vegetables and a little meat. For dessert, it was Malaysian-style red bean and sweet potato with coconut milk. We had so much fun cooking, eating, and laughing together. Showed them my vegetable garden, harvested a large winter melon, and gave each of them a piece. Also gave them some lemongrass to take home.
ヨガ同好会の友人数名をうちに招いて、屋外で料理を楽しみました。メインは味噌ベースのうどんで、野菜たっぷりに少々のお肉。デザート（マレーシア風）には、小豆とサツマイモ、ココナッツミルクのものを用意しました。一緒に料理をし、食べて、笑って、本当に楽しい時間でした。その後、私の家庭菜園を見せ、大きな冬瓜を収穫して皆に一切れずつ分け、レモングラスもお土産に差し上げました。