Auntie Sleepie

Auntie Sleepie

Subj:Hi, Kato...

It's time we found you

a good girlfriend.

Date: 08/12/2011 10:25:14 PM
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com

Hi Kato,
my truly romantic Taliesin!

How are things with you today?
I read the following article:

■"Memory Lane to Sendai"

(December 8, 2011)

Thanks so much for this jazzy jazz and all this fascinating information.
You, indeed, are a veritable warehouse of information ... a mini-Google, so to speak! Thanks again.





Oh, my Goodness ... Superb! 　Amazing!
As you said, Oscar Peterson's performance is excellent!
Now, I love his piano even more than before.

It's party time before X'mas, isn't it?
Having a good time these days, lots of parties and plays and cocktails and dinners ... gotta love it.



It's been a long time since I've lived like this and am enjoying each day immensely.
I do miss going to the Joe Fortes library, though, and seeing you and the others.



The other evening, I enjoyed the Symphony, which was amazing, by the way.
Showing up on the stage was an imported saprano from Bulgaria, I suppose,
and a tenor who sounded as if he was from Italy but was actually a Canadian,
and the Bach Choir all conducted by the inimitable English conductor Bromwell Tovy.

Then, I ran into one of our fellow computer users, although I don't know her name.
She's a slim quiet sort of gal, attractive, in her late 40's I'd say.

She'd usually sit on the opposite side to where we sat, and it turns out one of her many jobs in life is as a greeter/seater at the Symphony.
She was happy to see me and told me she loves her job there and has recently moved to the east end.
So life changes for us all.

What's new with you?
Any new sweethearts on the scene?
It's time we found you a good girlfriend, I think.
It'll open your horizons even further.

See you soon, hopefully,



Love, Diane ~

Diane, I happened to come across with a mysterious, inspirational woman at the Joe Fortes Library.



No kidding!

I'm dead serious.

Kato, tell me about her.

I met her in last June.

You met her in last June?...You haven't told me about her at all since then, have you?

Well... no time for chit-chat about a one-night stand.

Oh, kato!...Did you really go all the way to the goal?

He, he, he, he, he, ... no, not to the bare skin...I'm just kidding. :)

Don't give me such a fib!

Oh no, I'm not giving you a fib. 　As a matter of fact, I met this mysterious, inspirational woman in the library, and indeed, I wrote an article about her at the time.



■"Spider Web Castle"

『蜘蛛の巣城』

(June 4, 2011)



Did you really write about her in the above article?



Yes, I did...but in Japanese. 　If you use the GOOGLE translator, you might be able to read it. 　Just click the above link and read it.

The other day, I used the translator, and read one of your articles, but couldn't understand the story at all.

Why not?

You see, Kato, the current translator is not perfect at all, although it's getting better. 　It seems to translate the nitty-gritty into a confusing mass when it touches the core of the story. 　I was simply confused when I read your article through the translator.

I know what you mean...well, in this case, I'll talk about her now.

Please do.

She was really inspirational, and quite fascinating in a sense.

By the way, Kato, are you saying, the woman you're talking about is the same woman I described in the above mail?

Oh, no, definitely not.

How come you're so sure about it.

'Cause the woman I met in the libarary is not in her 40s.

Then, she must be an attractive thirtyish woman. 　Is she not?

Oh, no...she is not definitely in that category.

What do you mean?

Well, as I said, she is quite a mysterious woman.

In what way?

Diane, have you ever viewed "Throne of Blood"---one of Kurosawa's best movies?

No, I don't think so.

Well, in that case, I'll jot down the story here.

Throne of Blood



Throne of Blood is a 1957 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa.
Its original Japanese title is Kumonosu-jō (蜘蛛巣城), which means "Spider Web Castle."
The film transposes the plot of William Shakespeare's play Macbeth to feudal Japan.

Plot

Generals Miki and Washizu are Samurai commanders under a local lord, Lord Tsuzuki, who reigns in the castle of the Spider's Web Forest.
After defeating the lord's enemies in battle, they return to Tsuzuki's castle.
On their way through the forest surrounding the castle, they meet a spirit, who foretells their future.
The spirit tells them that today Washizu will be named master of the North Castle and Miki will now command Fort One.
She then foretells that Washizu will eventually become Lord of Forest Castle, and finally she tells Miki that his son will also become lord of the castle.



When the two return to Tsuzuki's estate, he rewards them with exactly what the spirit had predicted.
As Washizu discusses this with Asaji, his wife, she manipulates him into making the second part of the prophecy come true by killing Tsuzuki when he visits.



Washizu kills him with the help of his wife, who poisons the lord's guards.
When Washizu returns in shock at his deed, Asaji grabs the bloody spear and puts it in the hands of one of the three unconscious guards.
She then yells "murder" through the courtyard, and Washizu slays the guard before he has a chance to plead his innocence.

Tsuzuki's vengeful son Kunimaru and a rival of Washizu named Noriyasu both suspect Washizu as the murderous traitor and try to warn Miki, who refuses to believe what they are saying about his friend.
Washizu, though, is unsure of Miki's loyalty, but he wants to trust his friend and he still plans to let Miki's son be his heir, since he and Asaji have been unable to bear a child of their own.

Washizu plans to tell Miki and his son about his decision at a grand banquet, but Asaji tells him that she is pregnant, which leaves him with a quandary concerning his heir.
During the banquet Washizu drinks sake copiously because he is clearly agitated, and at the sudden appearance of Miki's ghost, begins losing control.
In his delusional panic, he reveals his betrayal to all by exclaiming that he is willing to slay Miki for a second time, going so far as unsheathing his sword and striking over Miki's mat.
Asaji, attempting to pick up the pieces of Washizu's blunder, tells the guests that he is drunk and that they must retire for the evening.
Then one of his men arrive with the severed head of Miki.
The guard also tells them that Miki's son escaped.

Later, distraught upon hearing of his wife's miscarriage and in dire need of help with the impending battle with his foes, he returns to the forest to summon the spirit.
She tells him that he will not be defeated unless the very trees of Spider's Web forest rise against the castle.
Washizu believes this is impossible and is confident of his victory.
Washizu knows he must kill all his enemies, so he tells his troops of the last prophecy, and they share his confidence.



He then finds Asaji in a semi-catatonic state, trying to wash clean the imaginary foul stench of blood from her hands, obviously distraught at her grave misdeeds. Distracted by the sound of his troops moving outside the room, he investigates and is told by a panicked soldier that the trees of Spider's Web forest "have risen to attack us." The prophecy has come true and Washizu is doomed.

As Washizu tries to get his troops to attack, they remain still.
Finally they turn on their master and begin firing arrows at him as revenge for his traitorous actions.
Washizu finally succumbs to his wounds just as his enemies approach the castle gates.
It is revealed that the attacking force is using trees cut down during the previous night to disguise and protect themselves in their advance on the castle.

---

SOURCE: "Throne of Blood"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wow! ... The film transposes the plot of William Shakespeare's play Macbeth into feudal Japan, doesn't it?



Yes, it has been done superbly. 　I really loved the movie.

Kato, are you saying that the woman you met in the library has something to do with the above movie?

Yes, of course. 　I was viewing the DVD at the offline computer in the libarary when she came over and said, "Oh,...it's a Kurosawa movie, isn't it!...Kumonosu-jo...Yes, that's it!...I've seen it twice!... Oh, it's such a wonderful and exciting movie!”

Did she really say that to you, Kato?

Oh, yes, she did.

Is she a Japanese?

Oh no, she is not. 　She is not even a Chinese nor a Korean. 　She is a genuine Canadian woman who was born and educated here in Canada.

How do you know that?

'Cause she hasn't got any foreign accent in her speaking English.

How about her looks?

I haven't seen her face at all.

No kidding!

I was so engrossed and concentrated in the movie that I could't take off my eyes from the movie...I could't have even set my eyes on a naked woman at the time. He, he, he, he, he, ...

What scene were you watching at the time?

The climax scene, of course, in which, as Washizu tries to get his troops to attack, his soldiers remain still, and suddenly they turn on Washizu, their master, and begin firing arrows at him as revenge for his traitorous actions.







Finally, the fatal arrow splashes through his neck. 　I was indeed engrossed as if I were one of his soldieres who fired arrows at him.



Did the film get you fascinated that much?

Yes, of course, it did...you're telling me, Diane. 　You should borrow and view the DVD yourself. 　It is in the Joe Fortes Library or at the main branch.

I'll go get one. 　But, Kato, even if you were concentrated that much in the film, you had certainly some time to set an eye on her, didn't you?

No, not a bit---you believe or not---I was really engrossed in the fascinating string of scenes.

Then, what did she do after being ignored by you?

Apparently she came to know how much I was carried away in the movie. 　When the movie finished, nobody was around.

So you didn't see her face at all, did you?

No, not a bit. 　But for some rason, in my mind she appeared like the woman in the movie.





Are you saying, Kato, she was like the spirit living in the forest surrounding the castle?



Yes, that was my impression. 　She was talking to me as if the spirit had come out of the movie.

So, Kato, you were day-dreaming, weren't you?

Don't be silly, Diane. 　I have never sleep-walked in my life, let alone day-dreaming like that.

So, that's the end of your story, isn't it?

No, that's not the end. 　Three weeks ago, the mysterious and inspirational woman began to appear at the same computer table where I worked in the library.

But how do you know that she was the same woman you happened to meet in last June? 　You haven't seen her face, have you?

No, I haven't, but I knew it by my gut feeling. 　Since then, she has appeared whenever I start working on the computer.

At the same time?---same place? 　And every day?

You're telling me, Diane.

No kidding!---Kato, you must be day-dreaming!

No, definitely not! 　

Can I see her?

Yes, of course, you can---she is not a spirit---in fact she is a woman with warm blood and white skin.

What does she look like?

As I told you, you would get an impression of the spirit in the forest.





Does she actually appear like the woman in the above picture?



Oh no, of course not, she doesn't wear a white kimono like the above spirit. 　But you will know for sure which one of the women at the computer table when you look around.

So, she looks mysterious, doesn't she? 　But how mysterious?

She always puts a DVD into the drive, then sits down quietly at the computer with a pair of earphone pieces on her ears. 　She must be a cinema-maniac.

Why?

She seldom touches the keyboard. 　Apparently, she views movies in the DVD, and soon afterwards she starts to nod peacefully and happily as if she was listening to the mesmerizing lullaby. 　So I call her "Auntie Sleepie."

Kato, are you serious about all this?

Yes, of course, I am. 　Next time you come to the Joe Fortes Library, Diane, you will know for sure I've told you the real story. 　Auntie Sleepie is in the libray and waiting for you. He, he, he, he, he, ...

【Himiko's Monologue】



Wow! ... Can you believe that?
Well, if you happen to be in Vancouver, please drop in at Joe Fortes Library.
If you're lucky enough, you should be able to see a spirit in the forest of "Spider Web Castle."

Come to think of it, I've never met a male spirit in my life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice "spirit" at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.

Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...

If you've got some time,

Please read one of the following artciles:


■"Cleopatra"

■"Queen Nefertiti"

■"Catherine de Medici"

■"Catherine the Great"

■"Mata Hari"

■"Sidonie Colette"



■"Marilyn Monroe"

■"Hello Diane!"

■"I wish you were there!"

■"Jane Eyre"



■"Jane Eyre Again"

■"Jane Eyre in Vancouver"

■"Jane Eyre Special"

■"Love & Death of Cleopatra"

■"Nice Story"



■"Scrumdiddlyumptious"

■"Spiritual Work or What?"

■"What a coincidence!"



■"Wind and Water"

■"Yoga and Happiness"

■"You're in a good shape"



■"Hellelujah!"

■"Ecclesiophobia"

■"Uncorruptible"

■"Net Travel & Jane"



■"Net Love"

■"Complicated Love"

■"Electra Complex"

■"Net Début"

■"Inner World"



■"Madame Riviera and Burger"

■"Roly-poly in the North"

■"Amazing Grace"

■"Diane in Paris"

■"Diane in Montmartre"



■"Diane Well Read"

■"Wantirna South"

■"Maiden's Prayer"

■"Bandwidth"

■"Squaw House and Melbourne Hotel"



■"Tulips and Diane"

■"Diane in Bustle Skirt"

■"Diane and Beauty"

■"Lady Chatterley and Beauty"

■"Victoria Prudery"



■"Diane Chatterley"

■"From Canada to Japan"

■"From Gyoda to Vancouver"

■"Film Festival"

■"Madame Taliesin"

■"Happy Days"

■"Vancouver Again"

■"Swansea"



■"Midnight in Vancouver"

■"Madame Lindbergh"

■"Dead Poets Society"

■"Letters to Diane"

■"Taliesin Studio"



■"Wright and Japan"

■"Taliesin Banzai"

■"Memrory Lane to Sendai"






Hi, I'm June Adames.

"Throne of Blood" is a really exciting movie, isn't it?

Specifically, Washizu's agonizing death is one of the most famous death scenes, in which his own archers turn upon him and fill his body with arrows.

This scene was in fact performed with real arrows, a choice made to help Mifune produce realistic facial expressions of fear.





The arrows seen to impact the wooden walls were not superimposed or faked by special effects, but instead shot by choreographed archers.

During filming, Mifune waved his arms, ostensibly because his character was trying to brush away the arrows embedded in the planks.

This indicated to the archers the direction in which Mifune wanted to move.



ところで、愛とロマンに満ちた

レンゲさんのお話をまとめて

『レンゲ物語』を作りました。

もし、レンゲさんの記事をまとめて読みたいならば、

次のリンクをクリックしてくださいね。

■『愛とロマンのレンゲ物語』



■『軽井沢タリアセン夫人 - 小百合物語』

とにかく、今日も一日楽しく愉快に

ネットサーフィンしましょうね。

じゃあね。