Happy New Year!
Thoughts on the Winter Landscape in a Snowy Region;
Snow-laden Moso Bamboo Bending under the Weight of Snow, Snowscapes and Persimmons. Reflections on Winter Preserves.
The Flexibility of Bamboo！
In December, the tips of the Moso bamboo touch the ground under the weight of heavy snow:
- Accepting the burden of snow, they endure while remaining bent.
- When spring arrives, they straighten again as if nothing had happened. Bamboo possesses two distinct qualities that allow it to bend extensively without breaking—’flexibility’ or ‘toughness,’ and ‘resilience’ to return to its original state when external forces are removed. This unique combination is attributed to the structure of its skin, rich in honey, and its inner composition of porous materials (slope materials).
It feels as if we are being subtly urged to learn from the resilient flexibility of bamboo, conveying a lesson in patience and endurance.
The persimmons in the snowy field are for the birds!
When snow accumulates, everything turns pure white, and the ground becomes invisible. For birds, the seeds and food on the ground suddenly become unattainable in an instant.
Before the snow accumulates, the birds don’t peck at the persimmons as much. However, as everything turns completely white, the persimmons quickly become a feast for the birds. For creatures that are not migratory birds like long-tailed tits, crows, and starlings, the winter in snowy regions seems quite challenging.
In the not-so-distant past, humans also stored large quantities of winter vegetables and nuts for the cold season. Nowadays, food is readily available at convenience stores and supermarkets anytime. However, there are discussions about the abundance of overly processed and non-perishable foods leading to physical and mental health issues.
It seems that humans have prospered by conquering nature, but it appears that a reckoning is approaching soon, with issues such as global warming, food shortages, energy problems, and more.
Every year, we leave a share for the birds.
Until very recently, humans, like animals, also endured hungry winters.
Roasted beans and nuts are delicious in winter!
Roasting nuts over a wood fire in winter was a blissful treat. Nuts like acorns, ginkgo nuts, black beans, and roasted firm legumes such as fava beans not only provide nutrition but also have positive effects on teeth, jaws, and the brain due to the chewing involved.
Additionally, they seem to be beneficial for intestinal bacteria. In particular, eating acorns and ginkgo nuts brings to mind the Jomon people who also consumed them. Regardless, these preserved foods require careful pre-processing and effort before consumption.
Winter is the season for lumberjacks!
From autumn to winter, wood and bamboo have less moisture, making it an ideal season for lumbering. Especially when felling trees, having snow provides a cushion, ensuring safety with minimal impact.
We felled a ginkgo tree at the end of the year, but it’s not very suitable for firewood. It seems more fitting for the counter and cutting boards in a sushi restaurant. In the spring, we plan to have a carpenter, Mr. OT, make a cutting board for us.
コメント