By Mitsue Finch Uchida
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6，7月は本当に暑かったですね。残暑でまだ暑い8月のスタートですが、いかがお過ごしでしょうか。ふと去年の8月はどうしていたか振り返ると、友人の死を迎え、「おくりびと」の役目をしたことから、身辺整理することは自分を愛することでもあり周りに迷惑をかけず愛することでもあると。そこでまず遺言状を作る。身辺の整理整頓をし、パスワードの整理や、貴重品の場所等を明確にする云々を書いていました。じゃあ自分がそれをやったかというと半分もできていません。去年の歳時記を読むことでリマインドしてもらい今年こそは残り半分を遂行しようと決意をしたのです！！
さて、8月の変わり種の季語や歳時記の言葉には、生身魂（いきみたま）、送りまぜ（おくりまぜ）、があるそうです。これらは一般的な夏のイメージとは少し違う、ユニークな意味や背景を持っていて、まず１）生身魂（いきみたま）は、お盆に先祖の霊を祀るだけでなく、生きている両親や目上の人の長寿を祝い、贈り物をして敬う日本古来の風習（生前供養・敬老の原形）であり、かつては全国的（江戸時代には江戸などでも一般的）に行われていた年中行事。２）送りまぜ（おくりまぜ）はお盆が過ぎたあとに吹いてくる、南寄りの風のことで、夏の終わりと季節の移り変わりを感じさせる言葉ですが私は初めて聞きましたが、生身魂は今は殆ど聞かなくなりましたが復活させたい習慣ですね。
7月のFifa World cupサッカーで湧きましたが、寝不足の方も多かったのではないでしょうか。しかしその熱もこの暑さの熱に取ってやられたように醒めてしまいましたね。それにしてもイングランド、日本共々奮闘しましたね。4年後がまた楽しみですね。
やはりこの時期は何と言って年々地球が熱くなり温度計の最高気温が毎年更新されています。英国でもエアコンの需要が増え、いまではWaiting Listだそうですね。しかも偽物のエアコンが販売され、格安、しかもOnly 3 left、Time limited offerとか書かれて消費者心理をあおり、暑さも加わってか思考能力が低下し、「Buy」をクリックするケースが多く出ているようです。実際そのようなエアコンは存在せずに数百ポンドが泡となるケースが多いと聞きました。皆さんもエアコンコン(詐欺)にはお気を付けください。そして素敵な夏を満喫いたしましょうー。
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＜8月のイベント情報＞
＊JA二水会は夏休みです。
＊8月3日~ジャパンハウスで「忘れな草ストリーテリング」が始まります。
＊英国日本人墓地90周年記念式典 8月23日（日）午前11時～11時45分
- 会場：ヘンドン日本人墓地 ：Holders Hill Road, London NW7 1NB
- 記念レセプション：12時30分～午後3時 at Hendon Golf Club ＠£ 20
※レセプションに出席、送迎バス利用希望者の方は８月８日（土）までに参加フォームにて申し込み願います。この記念すべき式典へ多数の皆さまが出席されることを願っています。
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Access Appointments Saijiki Blog for August（Hazuki）2026
By Mitsue Finch Uchida
June and July were really hot, weren’t they? August has started, and it’s still hot with the lingering summer heat. Hope everyone is well. Looking back at what I was doing last August, I remember a friend passing away, and having to act as a funeral director, I realized that putting my affairs in order is a way of loving myself and loving others without causing them trouble. So, I decided to start by writing a will. I wrote about tidying up my affairs, organizing my passwords, clearly defining the location of valuables, and so on. But actually I haven’t done even half of it. Reading last year’s Saijiki reminded me, and I’ve resolved to complete the remaining half this year!!
Now, among the unusual seasonal words and almanac terms for August, there are “Ikimitama” and “Okurimaze”. These have unique meanings and backgrounds that are a little different from the general image of summer. 1) Ikimitama is an ancient Japanese custom (the prototype of pre-death memorial services and respect for the elderly) in which people not only honor the spirits of their ancestors during Obon, but also celebrate the longevity of their living parents and elders, and show respect by giving them gifts. It was once a nationwide annual event (common even in Edo during the Edo period). 2) Okurimaze is a southerly wind that blows after Obon, and it is a word that makes you feel the end of summer and the changing of the seasons. This is the first time I’ve heard it, but Ikimitama is a custom that I would like to see revived, although it is rarely heard now.
The FIFA World Cup in July was exciting, and I’m sure many of you lost sleep because of it. But that excitement seems to have cooled down due to the intense heat. Nevertheless, both England and Japan fought hard. I’m looking forward to seeing them again in four years.
As expected, the Earth is getting hotter every year, and the highest temperatures on thermometers are being broken annually. In the UK, the demand for air conditioners is increasing, and apparently there are now waiting lists. What’s more, counterfeit air conditioners are being sold at low prices, with phrases like “Only 3 left” and “Time limited offer,” which are appealing to consumers. Combined with the heat, people’s judgment is impaired, and it seems that many are clicking “Buy.” In reality, such air conditioners don’t exist, and I’ve heard that in many cases, hundreds of pounds are wasted so be careful of air conditioner scams! Hope everyone enjoys a wonderful summer!
<August Event information>
*JA Nisuikai is on summer break.
*“Forget-Me-Not Storytelling” will begin at Japan House from August 3rd.
*90th Anniversary Ceremony of the British Japanese Cemetery: August 23rd (Sun), 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Venue: Hendon Japanese Cemetery: Holders Hill Road, London NW7 1NB
- Commemorative Reception: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM at Hendon Golf Club @£20
- Those wishing to attend the reception and use the shuttle bus should contact here by August 8th.
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