After the snow melts

This winter, we had a lot of snow here in Kyushu and Fukuoka.

Unexpected heavy snow can disrupt work and plans, and cause fears of disasters.

I think there must have been a few people who were upset.

For me personally, it was great that a cold wave came and the sea water temperature dropped significantly.

I was so happy I could jump for joy!

(In recent years, in the marine world

Various changes and effects caused by the seawater temperature no longer dropping in winter have become evident.

Thinking back, it was only about 20 years ago

When I was a child

Even in Fukuoka, winters are very cold and there are days when it snows.

What grade were you in elementary school?

I can't forget the story I wrote in Japanese class, "The Thaw and the Butterbur Shoots."

Although I say I can't forget it, I can't remember the title or the exact words.

For some reason, the scenery and atmosphere of the story often play out in my mind.

That day, I read about the trees slowly pushing up the piled up snow and sprouting from cracks in the cold.

I didn't grow up in the mountains and have never seen or eaten butterbur.

I learned the beauty of spring and the difficulties that come along the way.

The sense of time and the device are engraved on the buds that swell as the snow melts.

Even now as an adult, it still makes my heart tremble.

On Japanese islands, the seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter are disappearing year by year, with extreme changes in the climate between on and off becoming the norm.

The beautiful seasonal changes that our ancestors felt

The sensibility and respect for culture that emerges from this experience only grows.

The sea, the fields and the mountains

As the seasons come and go, we can live days full of vitality.

I am truly happy to have been born on such a beautiful planet.

Spring is just around the corner. I'm excited!