Some words by which to remember October

Japanese horse chestnut trees, or tochinoki, in a neighborhood park copse have shed most of their leaves, creating pools of dappled light on the leaf-blanketed ground. Here are some words by which to remember the month of October.

East Japan Railway Co.'s Yamanote Line that loops around central Tokyo got its name 100 years ago. Yoshiko Sonobe, 68, has been working at a soba noodle stand at Shinagawa Station for 33 years and has watched society through steam from the bowls of noodles.

"People seemed less harried before, even those who came in for a quick slurp for breakfast," she noted. "When they were done and ready to leave, they always had friendly parting words for me, like 'see you later' or 'have a good one.' Nowadays, most customers come and leave without a word."

Five years have passed since the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake occurred. In the former village of Yamakoshi, Niigata Prefecture, an eatery specializing in home-style dishes, prepared and served by local "mothers," is now doing a thriving business.

Natsuko Igarashi, 58, who works there, said, "I want everyone who comes all the way to our village to have a relaxing and enjoyable meal here. All of us want to repay the generous help we received after the quake." Customers here can enjoy extra servings of local Koshihikari brand rice with their meal for free.

Edson Silva Barbosa, a 48-year-old Brazilian who teaches judo in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, was ecstatic when Rio de Janeiro was awarded the 2016 Summer Olympics. His young students include Brazilians of Japanese descent. As he watched them practice on the tatami mat, Barbosa beamed, "I'm so excited that these kids, who are now living in Japan and learning this Japanese martial art, are getting their chance to perform on the Olympic stage in their home country."

A softball team for seniors in Yokohama has five members in their 80s. The team's name of Balloon Elderly implies that, in a manner of speech, these seniors can soar into the sky like balloons. Takahisa Kondo, 66, is called a "youngster" by his teammates. "Being called that puts just the right kind of pressure on me," he said.

Ryoko Matsumoto, a 61-year-old resident of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, has extensive physical disabilities. Using her right hand which she can still move slightly, Matsumoto has been writing haiku poems during the past quarter century. One work goes: "A matron cooking/ Chestnut rice/ Reminds me of my mother." And another: "A fallen camellia bloom/ A glimpse of the sea/ Makes me homesick."

Matsumoto has already compiled a collection of her poetry. She is working hard every day, aiming to win a national-level haiku contest.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 31(IHT/Asahi: November 10,2009)