Kitano Ijinkan in Kobe

Among Kitano Ijinkan-gai, I strongly recommend Thomas Gottfried's residence, so to speak "Kazamidori-house" and "Italian building", Platon Decorative Museum. Forme one has a great history supported by many people who had much to do with and the latter one is extraordinarily decorated with pure original items both outside and inside, no strange gimmick nor imitations.

Especially, former inspection and study about it's history and background would make you move so much. There are much questions and curiosity, Rhenania is written on the gate, what is it?. In order to get into the reception, some stepping up is required, why ground floor is set at higher position? Why reception is decorated with Chinese style? Is there any deep story behind a specific "Table set" placed in the bay window room just inside to the left side? Exported by the volunteer servant to Germany Rhenania so secretly under the closing condition by the authority, in spite of a danger to be caught by the police. Why did they do that? The owner was satisfied and favorit with it. He obliged to go back to Germany leaving his profits, the enemy country for us while WW1. And Careful inspection on it will prove the the engineer of the furniture is not European but Japanese, interesting isn't it? Recently it was returned back to Kobe from Rhenania Germany after WW2 for the sake of courtesy by an old German lady, Mrs. Else Calbeau, single daughter of Thomas who lived her childhood at Kobe exactly here, Kazamidori house. She contributed as much as she could tracing her memories while reconstruction of the Kazamidori building in it's original condition, it's extraordinary and great work at all. Second floor commands a fine view of Kobe bey through wavy plate window glass. Why distorted scenery is observed? It was produced 100 years ago is the reason. And the same phenomena occurs when visited Murin-An situated at Kyoto Okazaki, meaning is no neighbor house and also it was built 100 years ago. As for Italian building on the Fudo slope, just it is filled with authentic decoration and furnishing, that all. Just looks beautiful and brilliant, and Genuine one with a long history and deep knowledge supported by dignity are different each other.

Super Beetle maintenance, lamps & fuel hose

The fuel hose connected to carburetor has been tired out cracking on outer epithelium after 10 years use. Of course it was replaced into new one, Otherwise my beetle would catch fire into ruined. Periodical maintenance is indispensable at all especially on old car such as my Super Beetle produced 52 years ago. Much more deeper and precise inspection must be necessary in every parts without any argument.

As the headlight axis was not so stable on the left side resulting being failed in the Authority inspection, so I replaced UK made lamp into the original Bosch including supporting base. The position lamp in Bosch is not wired meeting with our country regulation, positioning performance is done with the winker lamp together.

In addition, the metallic part of winker module that is tightened on upper fender was remoulded utilizing oil press machine that had been repaired the other day. Too much tightening torque distorted into concave shape around the position, it's torque should be enough as to compress rubber seals.

Vehicle maintenance work is adequately killing boring free time of a geriatric, it's OK no problem.

Ashiya Symphony Orchestra 96th regular concert

96th regular concert by Ashiya Symphony Orchestra was performed last Sunday so successfully as usual. Long absence influenced by Corona disaster did not spoil their capability at all. The title of the concert was selected in connection with the coronation of British King. In addition, the concert included another hidden story. The wood base player did not use his own but another one, his intimate friend's who went away up to Heaven last year. So, they all played programs with condolences for him.

ASO will make progress overcoming sorrows and difficulties towards a bright future.

A wild bird shooting photo

I've been in the thought that the wild bird shooting photo is most unlikely for me because the specific genre for bird from a long distance requires some special technique and adequate equipment also experience. I happened to observe a River Cormorant on a pond at Hattori Green Land Park yesterday, then I did it as an experimental trial.

25 m distance with 200mm telephoto lens was the situation at that time. Though it was my first attempt to shoot a wild bird from a distance, unexpectedly could I have wonderful transparency as a matter of fact.

With all equipment I have, SONY FE 200600 zoom and 2x teleconverter, Minolta MD 300/4.5 lenses will open my future, those were long sleeping in the deeper part of lens box. 

Once fall in love with long telephoto lens, it will be difficult to get out, so I feel. Anti-camera shake system in recent sophisticate shooting devices makes it possible to throw away heavy tripod thoroughly, photographic generations have changed.

Remember that the weight of 4 kg is equivalent to a rifle gun for an infantry soldier, so being released from the heavy burdening meas very delightful future at all!

Enkoji-temple in Kyoto Ichijoji

As some professional photographer living in Kyoto taught me Enko-ji Temple for a great location, so I visited there today. Though I have a stranger for about 50 years, the memory of my good days revived when I arrived Shisendo. Without doubt, calm and stable atmosphere satisfied me enough to wipe out the fatigue to get there, light long slope on the way to. It might be difficult for ordinary sightseeing tourers to understand some deeper part of Wabi-Sabi concept. Steps inside might refuse wheelchair user? Toilet prepared, vehicle parking place near the Temple available.