Arai Yakushi is a rare temple in Tokyo said to bring blessings for the healing of eye diseases. Ever since I suffered a detached retina in my 30s, I’ve made it a point to visit every year without fail. This year, I was quite late in making the trip, but the other day I finally went—driven there by my daughter, who recently graduated from her beginner-driver status.
我が家からは、車なら中野通りを北上するだけなのでさして遠くないのだが、電車だと、渋谷から池袋に行って、そこから西武池袋線に乗り換えと、ぐるりと回る形になり、かなり不便なのだ。それでいて、周辺にはこれといって魅力的なスポットや店があるわけでもないので、いつも車での往復になる。 From our home, it’s not far if you go by car—just head north along Nakano-dori—but by train it’s quite inconvenient: you have to go from Shibuya to Ikebukuro, then transfer to the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, making a big detour. And since there aren’t any particularly attractive spots or shops in the area, we always end up driving there and back.
1か月半ほど前に買い替えた「Xperia1 VI」で撮影。前に使っていた「Xperia1 Pro-i」と比べると、望遠レンズを使えることは明確なメリットだが、メインの24mmレンズの映りについてはイマイチと感じている。映りがあっけらかんとしていて、とにかく白飛びしやすい。なお、発売になったばかりの「Xperia1 VII」では超広角レンズが強化され、広角や望遠の映りについてもかなり改善されているらしいとのこと。うらやましいことだ。 These photos were taken with my new Xperia 1 VI, which I switched to about a month and a half ago. Compared with my previous Xperia 1 Pro-i, being able to use a telephoto lens is a clear advantage. However, I find the 24 mm main lens a bit underwhelming—its images feel flat and are prone to overexposure. I hear the newly released Xperia 1 VII has an improved ultra-wide lens, and that both the wide and telephoto shots have been significantly enhanced. I have to say, I’m a bit envious.
今年は年初のカミサンが目の手術(黄膜上膜)をしたので、カミサンの分も一緒にお守りを購入した。This year, since my wife underwent eye surgery (epiretinal membrane) early in the year, I bought an omamori charm for her as well.
このお地蔵さん、昔はスポンジで体を洗って参拝する習わしだったが、コロナを機にやめてしまったらしい。 This Jizo statue used to have the custom of washing its body with a sponge before offering prayers, but apparently that practice was discontinued during the COVID pandemic.