私：あれ蛙の声？ そんなはず、ありませんよね。
ゆき：あなたが首をひねるのも無理ないわね。東京で蛙の声が聞こえるなんて、不思議でしよう？
Kubi wo Hineru
(Yujin dooshi no kaiwa)
Watashi: Are kaeru no koe? Sonna hazu, arimasen yo ne.
Yukei: Anata ga kubi wo hineru no mo muri nai wa ne. Tokyo de kaeru no koe ga kikoeru nante, fushigi desho?
(A conversation between friends)
Me: Is that the sound of a frog? It couldn't be, could it?
Yuki: I'm not surprised you find that puzzling. Being able to hear a frog croaking here in Tokyo...strange, don't you think?
* * *
Kubi wo hineru is to be puzzled by something, to wonder, to muse or brood over something.
The voices, the sounds of nature, are no longer heard in Tokyo. We hear instead the sounds of the air conditioner, the automobile, the telephone, the radio, the television-all the electronic gadgetry of modernity. To hear the lapping of waves, the murmur ofa gentle breeze one must leave the asphalt jungle called Tokyo.
While taking an evening stroll near a friend's home in a Tokyo suburb the other day, however, the distinct croaking of a frog descended upon my ears. The sound reminded me of my childhood. But could it be?
Watashi wa omowazu, kubi wo hinetta (I unconsciously turned my head sideways in an expression of doubt). It was true, though. The frog lived in the small pond next to my friend's house.
A long time ago, people taught about the months and days by referring to the rich collection of changes that occur in nature when the seasons change. Risshun-about Feb. 2, when the first signs of spring are in the air. Keichitsu-about March 6, when the insects that have been hibernating begin to emerge. Shunbun-about March 21, when day and night are of equal length. Kokuu-about April 20, when the spring rains have gone and various grains begin to show their buds. Rikka-about May 6, when summer is in the air and the frogs are beginning to croak. In total they divided the year into 24 different parts based on natures' changes. When most people hear the word kokuu, however, omowazu kubi wo hinette shimau (they inevitably twist their head in puzzlement). Surrounded by asphalt it's hard to imagine what buds of grain look like.
And it all makes me wonder. In exchange for the convenience of the car haven't we had to make too many sacrifices? Everything and everyone seem to end up in Tokyo. The population increases still. People are hounded by time schedules and have their time stolen by The Company. It seems all who enter the city must sacrifice something vital in exchange for their pilgrimage. In such an environment, who can notice the changing of the seasons? Sonna iki-kata ni kubi wo hineritakunaru hito mo ooi hazu desu (One expects there are many people who would like to take a good long look at such a lifestyle). Though it's said the development of civilization brings happiness, I for one must shake my head in disbelief at such an idea (so iu kangae-kata ni wa, kubi wo hinerazaru wo enai).
Nature is so gorgeous at this time of the year.
There's nowhere else I'd like to.be than caught up in its magic.