I Don't Know Where To Look Since I live in the US, I often see some men who naked from the waist up in gym, park, and around my house. These men are not common in Japan, so I always confused when I see them. Why they don't wear shirts? Aren't they uncomfortable without shirts? There are some questions in my mind. It's summer now, so I think that the sunshine is getting stronger and their skin might got hurt. Also if they do workout, maybe they don't want to wear anything on their bust. But I think it's better to wear something because shirts or some clothes will get their sweat, and it's more comfortable. To tell the truth, I'm just surprised because it's not familiar for me. I wrote so quibble things. They'er always perfect even wether to wear shirts or not. I hope it will be daily things for me sooner or later. アメリカに住んでからいろんな場所で上半身裸の男性をよく見かける。日本にはそういう方はあまりいないので、見かけるといつもびっくりしてしまう。なんで着ないんだろう、一枚着た方が快適なんじゃないか、いつも疑問が湧いてくる。 今は夏だから、強い日差しで肌が痛くなるだろうし、運動して汗をかいた時などは一枚着ていた方が快適だと思うのだけどな。 理屈っぽいことを書いたけど、まぁ見慣れていないからびっくりするだけのことなのです。そのうち慣れてくるだろう。

日本語「咲かせ」についての質問

以下の日本語の文章についてパートナーに質問されましたが、うまく説明できませんでした。

公園の菖蒲は花を咲かせ見頃を迎えています。

この文章の「咲く」はどうして「咲かせ」になるのでしょうか？

教えていただけるととても助かります。

よろしくお願いします。

煙に巻く　Kemunimaku I talked about a Japanese word with my language partners before. The word is 煙に巻く(Kemu ni maku). But I couldn't explanation it. Let me have a try again. And if you understand, please teach me what is said in English. 煙に巻く(Kemu ni maku) To cheat or overwhelm others which by using big words or saying something what they don't know. 煙に巻かれる（Kemuri ni makareru) is to lost way if you in the scene of the fire, you can't find an escape route too much smoke. So 煙に巻く(Kemu ni maku) means trying to be off the argue point and deceive others. I hope that someone read my notebook, and understand what I wrote. あるパートナーの方と「煙に巻く」という言葉について話しましたが、うまく説明できなかったので、ここでもう一度チャレンジさせてください。もし私の書いてあることが理解できたら、この言葉は英語で何と表現できるのか教えてください。 「煙に巻く（けむにまく）」とは、大げさなことや相手の知らないことを言い、相手を圧倒したりごまかしたりすること。「煙に巻かれる（けむりにまかれる）」とは火事場で煙に視界を遮られ逃げ道を失うこと。 と、このように論点をずらしてごまかすのが「煙に巻く（けむにまく）」です。

Shiitake I used to eat shiitake when I lived in Japan, because it's a very popular mushroom in there. It's affordable, healthy, and I really like to eat it. However I moved in the US few years ago, it's a little bit difficult to buy shiitake around my town. And also, if I can get it, the taste is different a trifle ( of course, I know). I was in a dejected mood, and I miss Japanese shiitake very much. I met a shiitake-farmer at the farmer's market recently. His shiitake were so beautiful, good aroma, and very thickness. Then I bought a bag of shiitake, and ate them. That's the one what I was looking for a longtime! It's tasty as same as Japanese one or more! He told me that it is bed log cultivation. Shiitake can grow that occurs naturally. Therefore, It isn't able to get every time. This cultivation can get high quality ones. It can't be bought easily even in Japan. I was so lucky to met him.