にほんブログ村
にほんブログ村
The other day, I came across YouTube videos of Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, who has just announced his candidacy for the LDP leadership race. Until then, I only knew him as a calm and serious politician at press conferences.
To my great surprise, these videos showed him not only speaking fluent English but also performing music with impressive skill. He played both the piano and the guitar while singing, and his performances were simply wonderful. His English ability has often been praised, but I had no idea that he could sing so well and accompany himself with such confidence.
This unexpected side of Hayashi revealed a striking contrast with his usual official image. The way he expressed himself through music made him seem much more approachable and human. Watching him sing and play instruments with such ease gave me a warm sense of familiarity and even admiration.
Seven years ago, when I studied at the music college, I sang Bellini’s aria “Eccomi in lieta vesta…Oh! quante volte”. In this opera scene, Giulietta (Juliet) appears in her wedding dress, but she feels only sorrow, because her love belongs to Romeo. The aria is full of long phrases and delicate emotions, exemplifying bel canto beauty.
For almost two years, because of illness, I could not use my abdominal muscles properly. As a result, the higher notes became harder for me than before. Now that I am healthy, my hope is to return at least to the level I had seven years ago. I will take it step by step, without rushing, and keep practicing patiently.
Sette anni fa ho cantato “Eccomi in lieta vesta…Oh! quante volte” di Bellini. Giulietta, vestita da sposa, soffre perché ama Romeo. Questa melodia è dolce e triste, con frasi lunghe e difficili.
Per quasi due anni non ho potuto usare bene i muscoli addominali a causa di una malattia. Ora posso di nuovo cantare, e per me quest’aria è un segno di speranza e di gioia.
should:標準的な助言。友人・家族へのアドバイスに多い。
may want to:might より少し強く、やや控えめな提案。
might want to:最も柔らかい。ビジネスや丁寧な会話に◎
I enjoy cooking, but I prefer recipes that are simple and quick, with just a few ingredients, rather than something overly complicated.
When it comes to bread, I don’t make anything that requires multiple rounds of fermentation or overnight proofing. The other day, for the first time in a while, I made anman (red bean buns) that take only three minutes. These are the only ingredients:
Pancake mix – 200 g
Silken tofu – 1 block
Red bean paste – as needed
At the recent Sunday service, I sang a solo of hymn No. 467, “みくにのここちす.” Since the hymn is in a low key, I sang it a half tone higher this time as well. The video that Brother Y took of me in June has now become his posthumous work. This time, I asked Brother A, who usually helps me, to record it so that my vocal teacher could evaluate it.
It has been a little over two weeks since Brother Y passed away. We used to chat frequently on LINE about many things—faith, work, politics, and even Korean dramas. These days, whenever I come across something I’d like to share, I often find myself thinking, “Ah, he’s not here anymore...”
Brother Y went home to Jesus last month. We are still alive in this world, and sometimes the sorrow feels endless. Yet no matter where we are or when it may be, if we live and walk together with Jesus, then for those of us redeemed from our sins, it already feels like heaven. I sang this hymn with all my heart.