今日は未明から雪が降っている。雪が降るのを見ると心が洗われる思いがする。なぜかと考えると、思い当たる3つの文芸作品がある。
三好達治の「雪」
太郎を眠らせ、太郎の屋根に雪降り積む。
次郎を眠らせ、次郎の屋根に雪降り積む。
場所はどこだろうか。時期はいつだろう。
太郎と次郎は兄弟だろうか。年齢は。
雪を見るといつも思い出す詩だ。たった二行だが、読者の想像を膨らませる。
アダモの「雪が降る」
Tombe la neige
Tu ne viendras pas ce soir
雪は降る
あなたは来ない
フランス語を見事に日本語に翻訳している。安井かずみさんの翻訳が秀逸で日本ではフランスを上回るヒットを記録している。
藤原伊織の「雪が降る」
2007年に59歳で没した作家が1998年に発表した6編からなる短編集の表題作だ。
6編のすべてが信念を曲げずに生きていく男たちの生きざまを限られた短編の枠内で見事に表現している。
本作はその中でも、会社員が主人公で、作品群の中で最も共感を覚える作品だ。
(2020.3.29)
La Grenouille will be closed until further notice, per Mayoral executive order.
We wish you all to remain safe with patience, faith and fortitude through this difficult and severe crisis that we will overcome together.
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Oh, Zannen! (2020.3.18)
La Grenouille, located at 3 East 52nd Street, is my favorite French restaurant in New York. After President Trumps declared national emergency, I was wondering what would happen to La Grenouille. Like restaurants in Paris or in Rome, possible shut down for a while?
I have just recieved a mail from the restaurant. It says as follows.
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To our Esteemed Clientele
La Grenouille is maintaining proactive measures in assuring the well-being and protection of our clients and staff during these challenging times with sanitizing procedures consistent with New York Health Department recommendations.
A hydrogen peroxide based sanitizer hand spray is available to all our patrons and staff entering our establishment.
Our tables have been spaced out in accordance to recommended distance and we offer a full Take out Menu for all who wish to remain at home.
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Oh good! Then, do they open as usual? After this main message, it says as follows.
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Until the end of March, La Grenouille will be closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
We will be open serving Lunch and Dinner on Fridays and Dinner on Saturdays.
We thank you for Your Comprehension.
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No Japanese premier restaurant gives me mails like this. It gives me xplanation on the current situation, and induces us to support the restaurant.
Hope everything will be back to nornal. Currently 56 cuntries are shutting doors to the visitors from Japan, the U.S. is not on the list yet. Hope we can go to New York from Tokyo same as before, and hope we can visit La Grenouille again.
Mr Trump is a great deal maker and trader. He is the man who knows the importance of free movement of people, particularly from the strongest ally.
(2020.3.16)