April 3, 1998

We have joined a walking of the alumnus club of my husband's company. About 120 members joined at the parking lot of "Utagenka-hashi", or "Quarrel song bridge." We enjoyed healthy walking by looking around the full bloom of cherry blossoms and fresh green landscape of the hills under the shining sun. I met with many friends who were once lived together in company housing and enjoyed chatting. After the walking, I stopped at a spot called "Totoro" now popular in TV and local papers on my way to home.

April 9, 1998

I went to Oita Castle Park by bus to compose haiku. The peak of the bloom has already gone, but it was still splendid view. I felt as if I became a spirit of flower when I was standing under the fluttering cherry petals. As I lost myself in the flower snow flake, it was somewhat hard to compose the haiku.

April 15, 1998

When I was working at a herb garden, I got acquainted with Mrs. Hara, a garden designer. She has recently organized "Chersy Club" after open garden system in the UK. The purpose of the club is to exchange through viewing beautiful gardens of the members. Upon her request, I introduced some close friends of mine. A lot of flower lovers came up next by next for three days to enjoy the gardens and chatting with the owners.

April 21, 1998

My parent, father 88 and mother 80 years old, have come to Oita all the way from Hyougo prefecture. I asked them if there were some places to visit. Father said he wanted to see "Kote-e." Soon I checked it through the Internet and found some places such as Ajimu, Hiji, and Yamaga in which we could see them. We drove out. Each town office provided us of plentiful brochures and leaflets along with kind explanation of the people in charge. Thanks to them, we could take a look at many Kote-es. "Kote-e" is an art of plaster. From late Edo era through early Showa era, plasterers sometimes created unusual plaster works on the gable of the housing using trowels. It is a sort of good-luck charm to keep fire or evil spirits away from home. There were many of them throughout the country, but today most of them are intensively preserved in Oita prefecture.

April 22, 1998

It is raining from the morning. We could enjoy a calm morning hours. In the afternoon, I took my old parents who visited us all the way from the distance to view wisteria flower now in full bloom. Then we drove down to Yunohira hot spring to visit Shimizu Inn run by one of my friends. The inn has a unusual hot spring called "Cavern." Unfortunately young landlady Michan was out but her husband welcomed us. A new music saloon "Lindenbaum" has already opened. We toasted for it after the warm bathing.

April 23, 1998

The kick-off party of the 24th Yufuin Music Festival was held at a restaurant called "Nenrin", literally meaning "tree ring", renting the evening. There is a saloon at the entrance and a big fireplace at the center. It is a nice place. Many dishes like sushi and hors d'oeuvres are beautifully arranged on the counter board around the fireplace. Some 40 people joined the party. Mr. Masakuni Kato, general secretariat of YMF, first introduced the music program of the year. Those people who joined today will play major roles in the festival. I hope the festival will become a pleasant one for all the people who take part in.