衣替え
Seasonal Changes of Clothing
(文:澤 功)
6月1日と10月1日は、衣替えの日です。季節の変化がはっきりしている日本では季節に応じて衣服を着替える習慣が昔からありました。
ところがこの頃は、地球の温暖化のせいでしょうか、季節の変わり目がはっきりしなくなって、各家庭では季節の変わり目でなくてもそのときの気温に合わせて衣替えをするようになり、どうやらこの習慣は徐々にすたれてきているようです。
しかし和服についてはいまでもこの習慣が守られていて、6月になると単衣(ひとえ)(着物に裏地がついていない)を着、10月になると袷(あわせ)(着物に裏地がついている)を着るというきまりになっています。
単衣:summer wear 袷:winter wear
その他には、学校や官庁でもこの習慣は残っていますので学校の学制服や警察官の制服が10月1日にいっせいに夏服から黒っぽい冬服にかわり、それを見て衣替えの季節が来たのを感じます。
今年の東京は、10月に入っても暑い日が続き冷房をかけたり半袖で町を歩く人の姿が見かけられました。
ところが10月の中旬になると突然寒くなり、衣替えの準備をしていなかった家内は夏服をしまい、冬服を出すのにおおわらわの数日を過ごすことになりました。
”諒”の笑顔
More News about Ryou
澤の屋では6月に産まれた孫の「諒」がこの頃笑うようになり、泣き声の上に笑い声が加わって、いっそう賑やかになりました。私も家内もしっかりおじいちゃん、おばあちゃんの毎日を送っています。
Seasonal Changes of Clothing
(Text by Isao Sawa)
We change into winter clothes on the first day of October here in Japan. Japan has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Summer weather conditions and winter conditions are expecially distinct. Accordingly, twice a year we have seasonal changes of clothing.
We change into summer clothes on the first day of June and into winter clothes on the first day of October. This custom came from the Heian Era, about 1200 years ago. This year, however, weユre having abnormal weather. It may be the result of global warming.
In recent years, the change of seasons has not been clear, and each family chooses clothes to wear depending on how hot or cold it is rather that going strictly by the seasonal rules. Thus, gradually, the customs from the old Heian Era are going out of use.
However, the ”Seasonal Changes of Clothing” are strictly kept for traditional Japanese clothing, or kimono; for police uniforms, and for school uniforms. In the case of kimono, an unlined kimono is used as summer wear from June the first. A lined kimono is used for winter wear and worn from October.
Generally speaking, the color of school uniforms and police uniforms change to light-black from October the first. But it was too hot this summer here in Tokyo and students and police were very uncomfortable in their winter uniforms in May and October.
Suddenly, in the middle of October it became cold. My wife didn’t know what to make of it. She put away our summer clothes and then took out winter clothes right away. She was very busy with this for a few days.
More News about Ryou
At Sawanoya Inn, a new baby was born in June named Ryou (my grandson). Nowadays, Ryou is crying sometimes and smiling at others. Our home is very cheerful always. My wife and I have become good grandparents. We are always happy when weユre with our grandchild.
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Translation by Yoshihiro Kitagawa