南信州を訪ねて ３： 阿智村

＜　１．　馬の背から北側を見た　＞

中央の高い峰は標高２８４１ｍの南駒ヶ岳で、手前一帯が阿智村の範囲です。

馬の背は下の地図の番号５です。

今日は、長野県南部にある阿智村を紹介します。

私達は、ここで様々な感動に巡り合えました。

 

＜　２．　阿智村　＞

両地図共、上が北側です。

上の地図：　阿智村と訪問地を示します。

阿智村の境界は茶色の折れ線です。

赤い点や丸が訪問地です。

黄色い線は中央自動車道で、左端は恵那山トンネルになります。

番号１：　満蒙開拓平和記念館。

番号２：　宿泊地の昼神温泉。朝市も楽しみました。

番号３：　阿智神社奥宮。古代のロマンを感じました。

番号４：　高原「ヘブンスそのはら」で星空を堪能した。

番号５：　治部坂高原近くの「馬の背」から眺望を楽しんだ。

下の地図：　黄色の枠が阿智村。

中央遠方の雪を頂いた峰々は、最高峰の奥穂高岳３１９０ｍを含む北アルプスです。

その手前右側は、最高峰の駒ヶ岳を含む中央アルプスです。

その右側に伊那盆地が広がっています。

阿智村について

阿智村は長野県の南、伊那盆地の南の端に位置し、山深い谷間にあります。

ここはちょうど中央自動車道の高架下のような所で目立ちません。

ここを訪問した主な目的は、園原高原から「日本一の星空」を見ることでした。

そして昼神温泉を中心に観光し、この山深い所ならではの自然、作物、歴史を感じることが出来ました。

 

＜　３．　阿智村の中心部　＞

国道１５３号線から阿智村役場の方を見下ろす。

上の写真：　東側を望む。ここを行くと塩尻です。

中央の写真：　眼下の盆地に阿智村役場と満蒙開拓平和記念館がある。

下の写真：　西側を望む。この山間を行くと昼神温泉、左に折れると山越えで名古屋に至ります。

 

＜　４．　ある農家　＞

治部坂高原に行く途中、私達は観光農園を探して、この農家を訪問しました。

残念ながら観光農園はもう止めていました。

このような山深い畑で多くの野菜を育てておられました。

中央の写真には、トウモロコシ畑があり、この地方の名産です。

この高地の寒暖の差が甘味のあるトウモロコシを造るのだそうです。

帰りに、たくさんのキュウリを貰いました。

この山深い村だからこそ、担う歴史の重みがあり、また必死に村起こしに挑んでいる。

そんな人々の心意気を感じる旅でもありました。

次回に続きます。

Bring peace to the Middle East! 31: chain of retaliation 1 : in the end

*1

We looked at some assassinations, terrorism and the background till now.
From now on, we examine a chain of retaliation taking place in the Middle East, such as massacre repeated.
This time, I explain the final stage that a society arrives at when assassinations and terrorism rage, through the history. 


What there is in the end of assassinations and terrorism?
Looking around the world, the assassinations and terrorism were a desperate resistance of weak group, or an initial state of revolution.
Even the American constitution predicates a citizen fights with a weapon.
( annotation 1)

The situation starts with assassinating a influential person or a leader of an opposition group, but will invite a chain of genocide and the retaliation adversely.
Thus, massacre and violence spread, and more terrible tragedy will attack the society.

I explain the examples.





*2

In the case of Japan
Rightly, the situation were same as 1920s and 1930s in Japan. (annotation 2)

In those days, the extensive people's movement had happened, so the government ruled by local military groups by central figures of the Meiji Restoration was finished, and party politics began to move for the first time.

However, the unripe government was attacked by the growing disparity caused by a military-first policy, several depressions, and an aftermath of the Communist Party revolution.
The domestic situation became turbulent, the protest movement became harsh, and the government began to oppress it by the military and police.
At last, the assassination of a leading figure continued by young officers or right wing and the society was unified.
Thus, Japan became a complete military affairs autocracy again.

In the background, there was an important change that the Japanese society became affirmative for war and violence, while the Japanese military had steadily advanced an invasion in the continent for preparing for a potential threat from imperialism Great Powers, Europe and America, or Russia.





*3

In the case of Germany
The situation were same as 1920s and 1930s at the birth of Nazi government. (annotation 3)

The society and the economy got into the worst situation by suffering the aftereffects of the World War I.
The people lost sight of the future of own country, and various policy opinions (including socialism and communism) were in conflict.
At first, they were aimed at a socialist state, but the military authorities having taken a place in the World War I came to rule the politics before long.

The unemployment rate became 30%, so the young men who lost a job formed radicals group and repeated fighting in city and each place.
Nearly 100 people died only for one month in Prussia, and the injured person surpassed 1,000 people.
Under such circumstances, an violence revolution attempt that Hitler participated in in Munich occurred.
They attacked the capital of Prussia by weapon of the military authorities and aimed at to usurp political power.
The people felt hopeful about the proposal of Hitler, the revival of empire,  the nationalism (anti-emigrant and anti-Semitism), and the totalitarianism (fascism).

After this, the Nazi that Hitler led was received enthusiastically by people, and a dictatorial regime was born.





*4

What was taking place there?
These two examples have a certain thing in common.
Firstly these societies deepened confusion and stagnation, and the demonstration for reform and dissatisfaction escalated into violence cases.
As a result, the people wanted to quiet the confusion and clung to a stronger power to step forward powerfully.
And two fascism shook the world.
But it doesn’t always occur on the end of the confusion of the assassination and terrorism.
(annotation 3)

An important thing is to create more powerful military power finally, even if the violence was a small blow at first.
One of these may be Islamic nation (ISIL).

Unfortunately the power having the powerful armaments often becomes tyrannous, and it becomes the thing unlike the hope of the people.
I can say the reason is "It takes a thief to catch a thief."






*5

Thing we must not overlook
In either case, a violence produces many violence, and people will be trained to accept abnormal circumstance before long.

In the Middle East, the family is subjected to violence and killed, the town is destroyed, people suffer a difficult life even to live, and such a state continues for half a century.
Will the children grow up in a normal way?
The dilapidation of people's mind is imperative.
Where does the future of this society go toward?

This continues the next time.





注釈１
１８世紀後半に制定された合衆国憲法修正第２条。
「規律ある民兵は、自由な国家の安全にとって必要であるので、
人民が武器を保有し、携帯する権利は、これを侵してはならない」

注釈２
私のブログ「社会と情報：戦った報道　１～２６」に詳しい。

注釈３
私のブログ「戦争の誤謬　：　ヒトラー総統の誕生　１、２」「図解　ヒトラー総統の誕生」「ナチスの亡霊」に詳しい。

注釈４
日本とドイツは、社会の混乱時に独裁者を求める傾向が世界で最も強い。
これはエマニエル・トッドが指摘するように、両国が直系家族の文化だからです。
この文化は、遺産分配や兄弟関係の有り様から、「権威と不平等」を受け入れます。
したがって、中国、ロシア、中東またはフランス、米国では異なった反応が起こるでしょう。

Visited a southern part of the Shinshu region 2: Komagane highland

<  1. A dry riverbed >


Today, I introduce Komagane highland.
We played with our grandchildren in this dry riverbed.



Komagane highland
There is this highland in front of where a river flowing from Mt. Komagatake in Kiso Mountains ( the central Alps) joins Tenryu River.
This highland is 800m above sea level at the maximum in Ina Basin.
Here is a ropeway for climbing on the mountain, ski areas and hotels, and it becomes a huge resort area.






<  2.  Arrived at the destination  >


It was fine weather, and the sunlight was strong.






<  3.  Walking the suspension bridge  >





<   4.  Views from the suspension bridge  >


Upper photo:  upstream direction.
Lower photo:  downstream direction.
We can see Ina Basin in the back, and beyond it, see Southern Alps.




<  5.  going down to the dry riverbed  >

Many families enjoyed playing in the water.





<  6.  On the dry riverbed  >


The water of the river was not so cold  because probably it was shallow.
Our grandchildren touched with nature and were joyful.
We were having happiest moment.

This continues the next time.

Bring peace to the Middle East! 30: about terrorism 10 : fight of believer

中東に平和を！　３０：　テロについて　１０：　信者の戦い

<  1.  Japanese-Russo War  >


We can understand "God and heaven" that a suicide bomber of the Middle East wrote, by knowing how believers confronted own massacre.





<  2.  Siege of Drogheda >


Certain Christian
“I believe firmly that this is a righteous judgement of God on these barbarous wretches, who had imbrued their hands with so much innocent blood.”

This is a sentence of the report at when British Cromwell (1599-1658) suppressed rebel armies in Ireland. (Siege of Drogheda in 1649)
At this time, the citizens and monks in the city were almost slaughtered as well as  combatants.
He justifies own act as Protestant provided justice to Catholic.

The example of such a justification is also seen in the Crusades.
This increased participants in the Crusade, and on the other hand, it caused plunder and massacre to increase.





<  3.  armed priest >


Certain Buddhists
At previous night of all-out attack of the Russo-Japanese War (1904), a Japanese army Buddhist priest told to believers.
“This war doesn’t contradict Sessho-kai (a Buddhist precept of the prohibition of killing living things.), and rather this is a battle for peace."
And soldiers of the believer charged ahead with saying "Namuamidabutsu (Buddha in paradise)" all together.

In the Russo-Japanese War, this denomination (Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism) thought a national feeling of unity is necessary, and encouraged the believers to accepts military service.
Since a long time ago, the believers of the denomination performed against samurai groups  fierce fights with weapon of farming implements on several occasions, and they kept self-government.





< 4. the yellow turban rebellion >
＜　４．黄巾の乱　＞

Originally, the Buddhism had a prohibition of indiscriminately killing living things and a non-war.
But Japanese large temples had employed armed priests since a long time ago.
The Buddhist fought in Korean Peninsula, China, and Southeast Asia.
In Goguryeo (kingdom of Korea）, armed priests in the Korean Peninsula had fought against a great number of invaders of China and nomads with a weapon for defending own country.
In China, a certain school of Taoism caused the yellow turban rebellion, and the Three Kingdoms period began(184 - ).
Next a certain school of Buddhism caused a rebellion, and it led the birth of the Ming (1368 - ).
In China, a large group of farmers that were led by religious organizations caused many revolutions many times.





< 5. Crusade >


Fight of believer
Looking around the world, it may be said that there was not the religion that did not ever fight.
The enemy was a pagan (sect), devil, unbeliever, in addition an invader and plunderer.
Many widely accepted religion universally has Love and mercy in the doctrine, and infrequently includes the abstinence from taking life.

Why do these believers perform fierce fights in violation of the fundamental creed?
At many fact pattern, religious organizations greatly had influenced it.
It may be said there was a result that the sense of unity and infallibility of the religion was raised by the organizations.

It isn't a problem usually, but when our society begins to become confused and corrupt, it will bring a bad habit.




Is there a thing you can understand? 
The Palestinian suicide bomber wrote about "God and heaven" in his farewell note.
Because he can go to heaven, did he practice the terror?

As those facts of the world show, first there were necessity for the fight, and the people  alleviated a conflict of own death and murder with resorting to God and Buddha.

In world history, many religious organizations have permitted fighting, but Jesus and Buddha will grieve at this.
Probably, I think that Mohammed points out the mistake if he see the present confusion of the Middle East, too.

It isn't limited to Islam that suicide bombers talk about "God and heaven".
It is only one of the light and shade that religion brings.

This continues the next time.

Visited a southern part of the Shinshu region 1: Narai-juke, a post town

< 1. Narai-juke >

From now on, I introduce a Southern part of Nagano prefecture that we traveled in summer.

Today, I introduce the Narai-juke that is a one of old post towns.

Abut this trip

We went round each place by our car.

The period is from August 19 to 22, 2016.

I can’t introduce the sightseeing of the 20th due to a drizzle.

But it was fine weather every day except for the day.

<  2.   visited places   >

Upper side of the photo is the north side.

No. 1:  Narai-juke.

We walked around the old post town.

No. 2:  Komagane highland.

We played with our grandchildren in the riverbank.

No. 3:  Achi village

We visited the Peace Memorial Hall for Volunteer Pioneer of Manchuria and Mongolia, and the inner shrine of Achi-jinja Shrine.

We stayed at Hirugami Onsen, a hot spring resort and went to the morning market.

No. 4:  “Heavens Sonohara” , a plateau.

We had gazed at the star-sprinkled sky while sitting on the plateau at the night.

No. 5:  Jibusaka Kougen, a plateau.

We enjoyed a view from the peak called a horseback.

< 3.  Maps of Narai-juke  >

Upper photo:  the five land traffic routes in the Edo period.

Nakasen-do Road is indicated in a brown line connecting between two red points, and connected Edo and Kyoto.

Central photo:  upper side of the photo is the north side.

A elongated town is Narai-juke, and if you go to the right-hand road, you can arrive at Edo.

Lower photo:  the expansion of Narai-juke.

We parked our car in a parking area B and crossed a big bridge.

we started to take a walk from the east end S, and turned back at the west end E.

Narai-juke

Narai-juke was one of the post towns on the Nakasen-do Road, and was flourished by travelers who prepared crossing the “Torii Pass” which was hardest pass on the Kiso.

In addition, Narai-juke is at the highest altitudes in the Nakasen-do Road, and the town having approximately 1km long is the longest post town in Japan.

Narai-juke was established as a relay station in 1601, and there were 8 various accommodations for samurai and average people.   

Narai-juke was famous for the wood industry such as lacquerware and hair comb, and these were popular as a souvenir of travelers.

Nakasen-do Road connected between Edo and Kyoto, and passed through mountain area unlike Tokai-do Road passing along sea shore.

In despite of flat road, Tokai-do Road had defects such as getting stuck at swollen rivers, and strict controls.

Thus, 67 post towns and Narai-juke on Nakasen-do Road prospered in the Edo period.

<  4.  parking area B  >

Upper photo:  Kiso-Ohashi bridge.

this is a largest class in wooden bridges which don't have a supporting beam.

Central photo:  I saw the east side from the top of the bridge.

Going this direction, the road goes through Shiojiri and reaches Edo.

Lower photo:  I saw the west side from the top of the bridge.

There is Torii Pass in this side and the road reaches Kyoto.

<  5.  finally enters the post town >

Upper photo:  the east end S.

Lower photo:  the street.

There is a water fountain at the near left side.

These were 6 water fountains for travelers passing through Narai-juke.

<  6.   appearance of the street, 1  >

<  7.   appearance of the street, 2  >

<  8.  inside view of 3 houses >

Upper photo:  a shop of folk art object.

Central photo:  a shop of lacquerware. 

Lower photo:  a Japanese inn.

There are some inns, ryokan and minshuku opening now.

<  9.  I reach the west end soon  >

Upper photo:  a temple.

Central photo:  a Shinto shrine was seen at the back of the street.

Here is the west end E.

Lower photo:   Kosatsu site（street bulletin board）.

This is the site that Shogunate and feudal lords wrote a law and rules to the board and put up it here.

<  10.  at the west end of the post town  >

Upper photo:  I see the Shinto shrine from the street.

Lower photo:  I see the street from the Shinto shrine.

There is a water fountain and Kosatsu site at the near left side.

This continues the next time.

Bring peace to the Middle East! 29: about terrorism 9 : Two combatants

< 1. Kamikaze Special Attack Units >


Today, we approach the difference from the terrorism of the Middle East, through confessions of two combatants. 





<  2.  Kaiten Special Attack Units  >


Farewell note of a suicide attacker
"Mother, please forgive me .
I think about the sadness of my family.
However, it must be an importance for me, but I can't think seriously so.
Now, I am thinking of me as a child of this country more than as a child of mother, because I know that my small life even become a big key of the enemy destruction.
But surely I think to be able to die with having pride that I am a child of father and mother.
(annotation 1)

This is a farewell note of a dead youth at Kaiten Special Attack Units in the end stage of the Pacific War.
They had to enter the navy while he was still in college.
One day, they were said from a senior officer suddenly.
"The person who wants to enter the special attack units should apply by tomorrow morning"
In the result, 40 out of 400 people applied for it, and he was one of then.
Though, after all, the remaining youths also were assigned to the special attack units.
(annotation 2)

This note indicates this young man's thought, “ As much as possible, I want to stop the crisis of our country destroyed by own life.”
I see a dignity (self-sacrifice) common to all humankind to the youth who applied for it.
This suicide attack was a brave act from Japanese side, but the U.S.A. (enemy country)　viewed it as an insane action and seemed to be afraid of it.

This was a desperate measure that the Navy brass created on the occasion of an approaching defeat.
But there were many youths who responded it by own life.
This background had a factor of Japanese culture including Bushido, but the most important was the war situation being continuous for half a century such as creating many war heroes.

This is a thing to be connected with a Palestinian suicide bomber mentioned above, except at "killing private citizens" and " blessing".







<3.  Terrible sight of the capital of Chechnya in 2000>

Explanation of a bomb terrorist
Chechen Islamic militant caused a bomb terror in Russia, and the criminal was arrested.
He spoke like this to the authorities.
"I murdered tens of people, but, the Russia killed tens of thousands people of our citizens."

He thinks his act is nothing more than insufficient retaliation.




Difference from the terrorism of Palestine
Thing being common to two examples mentioned above and the terrorism of Palestine is a response a small armaments does against huge armaments.

I pick up this example from the world.
Guerrilla is subtly different from the terrorism, but these are used in the similar situation.





< 4. Spanish independence war by Goya >



Guerrilla in wartime.
The Spanish guerrilla against Napoleon forces in Spanish independence war.
The Chinese guerrilla against Japanese military in the Japan-China War.
The Yugoslav Partisan against German military in the World War II.
The guerrilla of Viet Cong against the U. S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War.
These were mainly fights local citizen performed against the invading army.

Terrorism during a conflict
The terrorism having aimed at abolition of Apartheid in South Africa.
The terrorism by the IRA having aimed at independence of Ireland in the U.K.
The terrorism aiming at independence of Palestine in Israel.
The terrorism by Islamic extremist advocating anti-western idea all over the world.
It is said that these aim at giving the authority fear mainly.

A difference of killing combatants is outstanding between these terrorism and these guerrillas, but it is only difference in situation.

In fact, there are many private citizens massacred by regular army in the war, such as Dresden bombing, Chongqing bombing, atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, retaliation to guerrilla (Nanjing Incident and My Lai Massacre).






<5. Former IRA>



Important thing
Terrorism is a crime that we should hate.

However, there were lots of villainy before then, such as discrimination, destruction and slaughter.
Originally, it should be brought to justice as war crimes together.
Unfortunately it is difficult to punish rulers, and it is usual that the information is deflected by these rulers.

The important thing is we don't look away from the background that the terrorism occurs on.

Mutual understanding was indispensable for the end of bloody conflict that happened in the world.
When there was not it, there only was submission or erasure.

On the next time, I approach a relation of religion and terrorism.





注釈１
本「特攻隊だった僕がいま若者に伝えたいこと」ｐ４０より。

注釈２
日本の特別攻撃の航空（神風）・海中（回天）・海上を合わせて約６０００名が死んだ。
冥福をお祈りします。

地中海クルーズとカナリヤ諸島クルーズ ２９： ローマ３、終わり

＜　１．コンスタンティヌスの凱旋門、４世紀　　＞

今日は,この旅行記の最後になります。

ローマを紹介して、この旅行を簡単に振り返ります。

 

＜　２．サンタンジェロ城、２世紀　＞

 

＜　３．テヴェレ川沿い　＞

上の写真：　テヴェレ川の向かいにアヴェンティーノの丘が見える。

ここはローマの発祥の地となった七丘の一つで、５世紀に遡る教会がある。

中央の写真：　このテヴェレ川の右岸がアヴェンティーノの丘。

下の写真：　「真実の口」の彫刻があるサンタ・マリア・イン・コスメディン教会。

 

＜　４．　パラティーノの丘　＞

上の写真：　手前の広場は紀元前の戦車競技場跡、チルコ・マッシモ。

その後ろはパラティーノの丘で、最も歴史が古く、ローマ建国神話に繋がる紀元前８世紀に遡る。

この丘の奥に古代ローマの遺跡で有名なフォロ・ロマーノがある。

下２枚の写真：　上記の拡大。

 

＜　５．コロッセオ　＞

あまりにも有名な円形競技場コロッセオです。

左にコンスタンティヌスの凱旋門がある。

 

＜　６．　コロッセオとフォロ・ロマーノ　＞

コロッセオの向こうにフォロ・ロマーノが見える。

 

＜　７．　チビタベッキアに向けて　１　＞

いよいよ帰国の途に着きます。

チビタベッキア港からジェノバに戻り、ミラノから空路で帰国です。

 

＜　８．チビタベッキアに向けて　２　＞

この日は折しも曇天で、旅行の終わりがよりわびしくなりました。

ローマに思う

イタリアは私にとって古代ローマから中世に至るヨーロッパ史を知るには重要な所と考えていました。

しかし、今回ミラノ、ジェノバ、ローマを観光して、その思いは萎えてしまいました。

特に、ローマの中心部の街並みを見るにつけ、すべてが古いままのたたずまいであることに不安を感じた。

これでは観光地としては良いが、発展への妨げになるのではないかと思えた。

私は人類の未来を知る為に、以前は先史から古代史を理解することが大事だと考えたが、今は直接的に中世以降の世界の紛争や戦争に関心があります。

その意味で、私にはローマが遠い存在になってしまったようです。

 

＊９

この旅行を終えて

この１５日間の旅行、内１２日間のクルーズは、私達夫婦にとって貴重な経験でした。

出発前、初めてのことで色々不安はあったが添乗員のおかげで無事、かつ充分な満足感を持って終えることが出来た。

数々の思いでが蘇ります。

イタリア３都市、スペイン２都市、モロッコ１都市、大西洋の２島を観光した。

冬の地中海と大西洋を経験し、大航海時代の始まりを告げる２島を見た。

この島では、大自然を感じることが出来た。

アフリカのイスラム圏であるカサブランカを体験した。

二度目のスペインで、ガウデｲとピカソに触れることが出来た。

クルーズ船内の生活をエンジョイし、クルーズならでは街歩きを楽しんだ。

様々な遺跡、景色、洋上の朝日夕日を写真に撮った。

そして、海外の人々と船内や町歩きで触れ合うことが出来た。

すべて貴重で楽しい思い出になりました。

 

＊１０

長らくこの旅行記にお付き合い頂きありがとうございました。

１０月には、ロシア、バルト三国、ポーランドを巡る旅に行きますので、報告することを楽しみしています。