Relax and Enjoy!

Wouldn't it be nice to have soothing and relaxing "live" music in the middle of a formal public convention or such an occasion?

We will make it happen. Daichi, who have appeared in this blog several times, and I am going to perform on Thursday, 3rd September from 12:45 to 1:30 at one of the best concert halls in the area for Hokkaido Public Health Convention 2009. (No admission, Free!)

Although I am also running some slideshows while we perform, I recommend that you close your eyes and listen carefully to his voice.

ちょっと堅苦しい「公衆衛生大会」のようなイベントの真ん中に、気持ちがなごむようなゆったりとした音楽が聴けるなんてどうでしょう？

やってみせます。何度かこのブログに登場している吉野大地さんと、9/3（木）地域でも最高のコンサートホールで開催される「第58回北海道公衆衛生大会」の最中、12:45 -1:30に登場しますよ。入場無料ですよ!!

演奏中にスライドショーも流すつもりだけれども、ゆっくりと目を閉じて彼の声に聴き入るのもいいかも。

Hanabi: Fireworks

One of the most extravagant firework festivals in the nation, "Kachimai Hanabi Taikai" is an annual function here. Thanks to my friends who own a house near the less crowded side of the riverbanks, I could relax and enjoy a nice summer evening this year.

But I just wonder why they needed those "laser beam show" and "dance music" in the main stage which was fortunately away from where I was... They probably spoiled the peaceful and quiet evening with the beautiful starry skies above, didn't they? Am I just getting older?

国内でも有数の絢爛豪華な花火大会「勝毎花火大会」は、ここでは年中行事。メインスタンドの反対側の混雑していない河原の近くに家を構える友人のおかげで、今年はゆっくりと夏の宵を楽しめた。

しかしながら、なぜレーザーショーやダンスミュージックをがんがんやっているのかがよく理解できなかった。すでに美しい星空に平和で静かな夕闇があるのに...。年をとっただけかな？

Four-Leaf Clover

Here is my recent discovery of a four-leaf clover in response to my friend's posting. Take a close look and find another one behind it too. I found this in Obihiro-no Mori (Forest) when I was testing my new (second hand) camera last week. Will this be a sign of "double" good luck?

It also reminds me of the front page of "lonely planet" Ireland, country of clovers.

友人のブログ投稿に応えて、私の見つけた「四つ葉のクローバー」もこちらに。先週帯広の森で新しい（中古）カメラをテストしていて見つけたけれど、よく見るともう一つ後ろにありますよ〜。ダブル幸運の前兆だといいけれど。

lonely planetのアイルランド版の表紙も思い出す。

Something Unusual?

Earlier in August, I visited Saito Farm on the outskirts of Asahikawa, where another music festival called Celebration of Oneness 2009 is going to be held on Sunday, September 27th.

I am very happy to find this farm very peaceful and full of lives. It will surely be great for me to perform music "outdoors" here with a whole bunch of great artists.

Great smile! The owner, Akira Saito has been practicing his own way of sustainable farming style consistently and stubbornly for more than 60 years!

The milk produced here is thick and rich, which instantly reminded me of that good old flavor of Trappist Monastery Butter Candy.

However, there are some things very unusual with the cattle grazing on this farm. Look at this photo!

In Japan, it is hard to find such dairy farms. Have you noticed?

For more photos, please visit my gallery page on this farm.

8月初旬、旭川郊外の「斎藤牧場」を訪ねた。ここでも9/27（日）に音楽祭「いのちの響宴2009」が開催されるからだ。

とても平和で生命力にあふれた牧場。こんなところで野外ライブ、それも名だたるアーチストたちと一緒にできるなんてきっとすばらしいに違いない。

この笑顔！牧場主の斎藤晶氏、60年以上もこだわりの（今でいう）持続可能な牧畜スタイルを貫いてきた。

牛乳も一飲みで懐かしいトラピストバター飴の風味を思い出させるほど、濃くてリッチ。

そして、この牛の写真。日本の牧場ではかなり普通じゃない風景。気がつきましたか？

他にもたくさん写真をこちらでどうぞ。