As I have written in these journals, I was born in a rural (probably so-called "suburbia") town in Hyogo prefecture. This morning, I asked myself "Do I love this city?". TBH, when I was a kid, I honestly adored the so-called urban life, especially in Kobe, Tokyo, or New York (they were truly "the melting pots of ultra-modern, hyper-sophisticated culture" for me). However, writing this I have to go back to ask this. Why on earth have I adored such a sophisticated life? Because it means that I couldn't have been satisfied with this real life.
Thinking about this question, I have to admit this fact. When I was a kid, I had already been annoyed by this city's too "barren" atmosphere (although you would think this as too exaggerated, at least when I was a kid I had thought this city was an uncool "hell"). Actually, in the first half of the '90s (when I was a teenager), I read Haruki Murakami's books which described Kobe's life or Tokyo's life so vividly in his cool style, therefore they made me adore them more.
Actually, I spent my college period in Waseda, where I learned a lot (from English literature such as Beatnik poetries and Paul Auster to the so-called "Shibuya-kei" music. Cornelius, Pizzicato Five, and so much music as bubbles). However, finally, I had to give up that "sophisticated life" completely and come back to this city again because in Tokyo (at least, for me) everything changes too rapidly (and also, I have learned that that sort of modern, super-stereotype image has been "created " by various clever and cruel people's tactical, commercial minds).
This evening, I attended a Zoom meeting, where I enjoyed a participant's presentation of how she had enjoyed staying in England (London and Liverpool) for about three weeks. There, she enjoyed having various events (having British meals, enjoying the British Museum, etc). Her style of presentation has been impressive and comical, therefore I enjoyed it a lot (certainly, she has made me adore various England cultures such as meals, music, and arts).
After that, I learned the news which told me Tadashi Yabe (a member of the legendary group, United Future Organization) had passed away. OH MY GOSH! He must be one of my heroes. I say "Thank you" to him, and also, "Rest in peace"...
