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| クリスマスローズの葉書 "わたしたち"はマリア様とマグダラのマリア様を差すのだそうです。"あなた"はイエス・キリスト様です。 |
日曜日なので、穏やかな内容を書いています。
今日はカトリックの芸術品の内、指ロザリオ（ゆびロザリオ）についてです。
私は、洗礼を受けるかどうかはまだ未定ですが、カトリックの方々に奇妙とも言える不思議な縁を持っています。
そのどれもがドラマティックな物では無く、ミドル世代も半ばに入り、気がつくと幾つもの美しく細いリボンが私の左手に握られていた、しみじみとした事実だけがあります。
また風の回廊（コリドー）でも触れていますが、クリエイションを生業としておりますので、その背景でも西洋美術の礎（いしずえ）をキリスト教芸術が創っていた歴史に、ひどく感銘を受けています。
私は実は専門のクリエイション学校を出ておりません。
美術系の学校を出られた方々は、相応の学費と時間を掛けて、そこを通過してプロの世界に入られますので、特にプロとなった後の人間達は何とも思っていません。
ただ大昔、私がプロの世界に偶然入った時は、学卒とそうでない者達が小さなトラブルを引き起こして来た事実を誰も歓迎していないので、事実、学校と仕事は違うのである。と伝えていたのが、どうも上手く機能していなかったようです。
プロは学校で習うことを1ヶ月で習得します。
給料を貰って物を教わるのですから、健康の話とは別に、死に物狂いで覚えます。
最初の1ヶ月は、それが最初にやる仕事です。
だから1ヶ月で覚えなければ、何のためにプロの世界に入ったのか分かりません。
覚えられなかった人達だけが、自分達は1ヶ月の所を2ヶ月、3ヶ月と勘弁してもらっていた上、給料まで最初と同額を貰っておいて（ペナルティを課されなかったという意味です）、覚えるのを待ってもらったのが、そんなに不服だったのか、
学校を出たのだって価値がある、学校卒業を理由に教えるのを減らされていたと、平気で口にしていました。
2026年現在はそういった事は掻き消えています。
悪しき慣習はどれ程時間が掛かろうと、このように新しく来た人達や当時から苦々しく思っていた人々によって、無くされます。
そんなことを言う暇があるのなら、仕事をしろ、だからです。
特に埋葬される時に強く何か頼む理由にはしていませんが、
気がつくとカトリックを信仰されて来た方々からの、シルクのリボン、パイピングが施されたリボン、リネン、レース、実はタフタまで着いた美しく編まれた金糸のものまである、豊かで細やかな縁の象を私の左手は握っていました。
それでミドルもハイを迎えるに当たって、強く興味を持っても敬虔さと敬意を忘れなければ良いだろうと考え、I want to be what you saw in meというカテゴリで、キリスト教の信仰について、キリスト教芸術について、美術品について書いています。
普段暮らしているFUK Branche Cityではありませんが、
何かどうも信仰や宗教に対して他人が敬虔であるだけで、
不要に怯えたり猜疑の目を向け、
新興宗教を立ち上げるつもりか？とか、
昔私が書いていたものを憶えていてくれた人が先に天国で女神や天使になったそうですので、マリア像を購入したり天使像を購入して、お洒落に飾って感謝しているのも知らずに、狂信者とか、
相変わらず”先入観だけ無知やろう達”が煩いので、淡々と時々このように書いています。
私の住む国では鎖国という自分の国以外の国との交流をしていなかった時代があり、明治時代、他国の文化を輸入するに当たり、その情報が正確に入って来ていませんでした。
その上、情報がたびたび新しくされることも無く、色々な誤解が事実のように語られ、その誤解から来ている事実に気づいて、それは何か事実確認が必要なのではないか？ と口にするのを遠慮し続けて来ました。
鎖国をしていた国特有の、知らなかった新しい文化への気遣いの風土が、大きな原因だと考えています。
キリスト教のカトリックの芸術や信仰の姿を街で見かける度、皆さんが知っていることの一つに、
「右の頬を殴られたら、左の頬を差し出せ」
という教えなのだそうだ、というものがありませんか？
実はこれは間違いです。
こちらはイエス・キリスト様の直弟子の方では無い、マタイさんというキリスト様に救われた方の、カトリックの基本教義にマタイさんのご経験を踏まえた解釈を足したマタイの福音書の言葉です。
使徒マタイ（伝承）は、新約聖書に多く記されており、カトリックの教えは旧約聖書です。
新約聖書が記された時期と旧約聖書が記された時期は開いており、それで使徒マタイはイエス・キリストの直弟子では無いと明確に分かります。
ポストカード : クリスマスローズ 165円
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| 指ロザリオ / メダイ”み心" / キーホルダー |
指ロザリオは、ロザリオの一種類です。
"ラテン語の rosarium（「薔薇の園」「薔薇の冠」の意）に由来し、マリア様に薔薇の花の冠をプレゼントする"（ドン・ボスコ社より）という心温まる信仰と尊敬を表す献花の役割りと、お祈りに使用する数珠と同質のものです。
*ロザリオロザリオとは「薔薇(ばら)の花の冠(かんむり)」という意味です。
アヴェ、マリアの祈りを一輪の薔薇の花に例え、マリア様に薔薇の花をプレゼントする、その祈りが、ロザリオの一環で薔薇の花冠となります。
ロザリオは、マリア様に薔薇の花の冠を、祈りによってプレゼントする、こころのこもったお祈りの道具です。ドン・ボスコ社 ロザリオページより
＜エナメル考 : "ラテン語の rosarium（「薔薇の園」「薔薇の冠」の意）に由来し" ひょっとしてエデンの園には、薔薇だけだったのでしょうか？ ＞
この指ロザリオ、丸の数を見て下さい。
丸は10個あります。
丸は私の住む東アジアでも西洋でも、星を象った（かたどった）ものです。
上にあるのがイエス様のお姿ですので、その下に星が10あるロザリオです。
この数が、イエス様のお弟子さん達の正式な数です。
指ロザリオ 金+黒 260円
メダイ み心 中 600円
み心 小 400円
＜指にはめたまま、お祈りができるロザリオです。
珠1珠を薔薇の花にたとえ、聖母への祈り「アヴェマリアの祈り」を唱えながら、聖書の箇所を黙想します。
珠が10個連なっている部分を一連（いちれん）と言います。
小さなサイズなので、カバンに入れて持ち運ぶのにとても便利です。ドン・ボスコ社 オンライン・ショップ 指ロザリオページより＞
珠1珠を薔薇の花にたとえ、聖母への祈り「アヴェマリアの祈り」を唱えながら、聖書の箇所を黙想します。
珠が10個連なっている部分を一連（いちれん）と言います。
小さなサイズなので、カバンに入れて持ち運ぶのにとても便利です。ドン・ボスコ社 オンライン・ショップ 指ロザリオページより＞
ドン・ボスコ社 オンライン・ショップ
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| 指ロザリオの裏面 |
イエス様の直弟子は、10名でした。
それにイエス様、マリア様、マリア・マグダレア様（マグダラのマリア様）を足して13名です。
なのでイエス様の直弟子は、マリア様とマリア・マグダレア様を入れて12名なんだそうです。
13という数は、昨今では西洋社会の凶数（縁起の悪い数字）とされていますが、カトリックではイエス様と直弟子、そして御家族を入れて13名ですので、大変善い数字です。
なので、「右の頬を殴られたら、左の頬を差し出せ」は、イエス様の教えではありません。
カトリックの教えでは無いんです。
カトリック教徒が日常の中で直面する可能性のある暴力（ハラスメント、差別、いじめ、ドメスティック・バイオレンスなど）に対し、カトリックの信仰を持つ個人としてどのように立ち向かい、対処すべきかという点について、教会の教えや実践的なアプローチは以下の通りです。
カトリックの教えは「無抵抗で被害を受け続けること」を求めてはいません。
人間の尊厳を守るための「正当な自衛」や「他者への助けを求めること」は信仰上、正当な権利とされています。Google AIより
当たり前ですよね。
私は、この使徒マタイの教えを耳にする度、物凄く心配して子供の頃から過ごして来ました。
美しいキリスト教の教会、クリスマス、ツリーに飾る金色の丸い心のような飾り。
白いクリームに赫い実が凍えて美しいケーキ。
結婚式のドレス。教会の光。神父様が何かとても必要そうな指輪をして聖書に手を置き、2人の婚姻を祝福し守護する時間。
どうしてこの方達が、そんな恐ろしい目に合わなければならないのだろう。
どうしてこの方達だけ、殴って来た者を殴り返してはいけないのだろう。
その永い苦しい心配が2026年の今年、やっと終わりました。
本当に良かったです。
子供の頃記憶している教室内に充満している、クリスチャンへの憧れ。
それを余りに全面に出すと、クラスのあの背景でしかない、重く無知狡猾な、人の後真似しか出来ない愚鈍さと、灰色の雰囲気が固太りのその小さな体躯にぱんぱんに充満している子達が、必ず憧れを持つ子に聞くんです。
「クリスチャンになるの？ でも右の頬を叩かれても叩き返してはいけないんでしょう？」
「うん・・・。まだ決めた訳じゃないんだけど」
というその子の味方を私は出来ませんでした。
また、現在まで私の住む日本社会ではカトリックを信仰されている方のお子さんが、「お前殴り返しちゃいけないんだろ？」と憎悪暴行の被害に遭っていないのか、ずっと怖かったのですが。
善いお付き合いをして下さるカトリックの方々が、「必ず、殴り返せと教えています」と力強く笑って下さるので、良かった。と息を吐き、子供の頃からどうしても冷えたままだった胸の中の小さな丸い星が、白く強く光り始めました。
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| 新しくしたロザリオとブレスレッド |
これから大好きな季節ですので、秋冬バージョンとして真珠ビーズのミニ・ロザリオとアクアマリンが珍しい、不思議のマリア様の小さなメダイが付いたミッドナイトブルーのブレスレッドを組み合わせています。
雪がいつも空から降り注いで居るようで、気持ちが綺麗になっていきます。
世間話のカンバセーション・ピースとして、知性の色であるブルウの宝石のキラキラな破片を、日曜版を読んで下さる皆さんにお渡ししておきますね。
それでは、素敵な日曜日をお過ごし下さい。
ブレスレットメダイ十字架ブルー 2300円
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20261018 20:54 文章を直しました。
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| Christmas Rose Postcard: Apparently, “we” refers to the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene. “You” refers to Jesus Christ. |
Since it’s Sunday, I’m writing about something gentle.
Today, I’d like to talk about finger rosaries—a type of Catholic art.
Although I haven’t yet decided whether to be baptized, I’ve had what some might call a strange, mysterious connection with Catholics.
None of these encounters have been particularly dramatic; I’m now well into my middle years, and before I knew it, I found myself holding several beautiful, slender ribbons in my left hand—a simple, poignant reality.
As I’ve also mentioned in “Corridor of the Wind,” since I make my living through creative work, I’m deeply moved by the history of how Christian art laid the foundation for Western art—a fact that forms the backdrop of my work.
Actually, I didn’t graduate from a specialized art school.
People who graduate from art schools have invested a considerable amount of tuition and time to go through that process and enter the professional world, so I don’t have any particular thoughts about them—especially those who have already become professionals.
However, a long time ago, when I happened to enter the professional world, there were occasional minor conflicts between those with formal training and those without. Since no one welcomed this situation, I used to explain that “school and work are, in fact, different.” It seems, however, that this message didn’t quite get through.
Professionals master what they learn in school within a month.
Since they’re being paid to learn, setting aside health concerns, they study with a desperate intensity.
For the first month, that’s their primary task.
So if you don’t learn it in a month, there’s no point in having entered the professional world in the first place.
Only those who couldn’t learn it—who were given leeway to take two or three months instead of one, while still receiving the same salary as at the start (meaning they weren’t penalized)—seemed so dissatisfied with being given time to learn that they would casually claim,
“Just having graduated from school has value,” or “They cut back on training me just because I graduated.”
As of 2026, such practices have been eradicated.
No matter how long it takes, bad practices are eliminated in this way—by newcomers and by those who resented them from the start.
That’s because if you have time to say such things, you should be working.
I didn’t specifically ask for anything in particular when I was laid to rest, but
before I knew it, my left hand was clutching a rich and delicate array of mementos from people who had been raised in the Catholic faith—silk ribbons, ribbons with piping, linen, lace, and even beautifully woven gold-threaded fabrics, some of which were actually made of taffeta.
Today, I’d like to talk about finger rosaries—a type of Catholic art.
Although I haven’t yet decided whether to be baptized, I’ve had what some might call a strange, mysterious connection with Catholics.
None of these encounters have been particularly dramatic; I’m now well into my middle years, and before I knew it, I found myself holding several beautiful, slender ribbons in my left hand—a simple, poignant reality.
As I’ve also mentioned in “Corridor of the Wind,” since I make my living through creative work, I’m deeply moved by the history of how Christian art laid the foundation for Western art—a fact that forms the backdrop of my work.
Actually, I didn’t graduate from a specialized art school.
People who graduate from art schools have invested a considerable amount of tuition and time to go through that process and enter the professional world, so I don’t have any particular thoughts about them—especially those who have already become professionals.
However, a long time ago, when I happened to enter the professional world, there were occasional minor conflicts between those with formal training and those without. Since no one welcomed this situation, I used to explain that “school and work are, in fact, different.” It seems, however, that this message didn’t quite get through.
Professionals master what they learn in school within a month.
Since they’re being paid to learn, setting aside health concerns, they study with a desperate intensity.
For the first month, that’s their primary task.
So if you don’t learn it in a month, there’s no point in having entered the professional world in the first place.
Only those who couldn’t learn it—who were given leeway to take two or three months instead of one, while still receiving the same salary as at the start (meaning they weren’t penalized)—seemed so dissatisfied with being given time to learn that they would casually claim,
“Just having graduated from school has value,” or “They cut back on training me just because I graduated.”
As of 2026, such practices have been eradicated.
No matter how long it takes, bad practices are eliminated in this way—by newcomers and by those who resented them from the start.
That’s because if you have time to say such things, you should be working.
I didn’t specifically ask for anything in particular when I was laid to rest, but
before I knew it, my left hand was clutching a rich and delicate array of mementos from people who had been raised in the Catholic faith—silk ribbons, ribbons with piping, linen, lace, and even beautifully woven gold-threaded fabrics, some of which were actually made of taffeta.
So, as I approach middle age and old age, I’ve decided that as long as I maintain a sense of piety and respect, it’s fine to take a keen interest in these things. Under the category “I want to be what you saw in me,” I’m writing about the Christian faith, Christian art, and works of art.
Although this isn’t the FUK Branche City where I usually live,
for some reason, whenever others show piety toward faith or religion,
people tend to feel unnecessarily intimidated or view them with suspicion,
wondering, “Are they planning to start a new religion?” or
Since someone who remembered what I used to write has apparently already become a goddess or angel in heaven, I’ve purchased statues of Mary and angels and am stylishly displaying them as a token of gratitude—yet without them even knowing this, I’m labeled a fanatic,
and since those “ignorant folks with nothing but preconceived notions” are still a nuisance, I occasionally write about these things in a matter-of-fact manner.
In the country where I live, there was a period of national isolation when we had no contact with other nations. During the Meiji era, when we began importing foreign cultures, the information we received was not entirely accurate.
Although this isn’t the FUK Branche City where I usually live,
for some reason, whenever others show piety toward faith or religion,
people tend to feel unnecessarily intimidated or view them with suspicion,
wondering, “Are they planning to start a new religion?” or
Since someone who remembered what I used to write has apparently already become a goddess or angel in heaven, I’ve purchased statues of Mary and angels and am stylishly displaying them as a token of gratitude—yet without them even knowing this, I’m labeled a fanatic,
and since those “ignorant folks with nothing but preconceived notions” are still a nuisance, I occasionally write about these things in a matter-of-fact manner.
In the country where I live, there was a period of national isolation when we had no contact with other nations. During the Meiji era, when we began importing foreign cultures, the information we received was not entirely accurate.
On top of that, since information isn’t frequently updated, various misconceptions are presented as facts, and even when I’ve realized that certain facts stem from those misconceptions, I’ve continued to refrain from speaking up and asking, “Shouldn’t we verify the facts?”
I believe a major reason for this is the cultural tendency—typical of a country that once practiced isolationism—to be cautious when encountering new cultures that were previously unknown.
Whenever you see Catholic art or expressions of faith in the city, isn’t one of the things everyone seems to know
the teaching that says,
“If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”?
Actually, this is incorrect.These are words from the Gospel of Matthew—an interpretation of basic Catholic doctrine that incorporates the personal experiences of Matthew, a man saved by Christ but not one of His direct disciples.
The Apostle Matthew (according to tradition) is mentioned frequently in the New Testament, while Catholic teaching is based on the Old Testament.
There is a significant time gap between when the New Testament was written and when the Old Testament was written, which clearly shows that the Apostle Matthew was not a direct disciple of Jesus Christ.
Whenever you see Catholic art or expressions of faith in the city, isn’t one of the things everyone seems to know
the teaching that says,
“If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”?
Actually, this is incorrect.These are words from the Gospel of Matthew—an interpretation of basic Catholic doctrine that incorporates the personal experiences of Matthew, a man saved by Christ but not one of His direct disciples.
The Apostle Matthew (according to tradition) is mentioned frequently in the New Testament, while Catholic teaching is based on the Old Testament.
There is a significant time gap between when the New Testament was written and when the Old Testament was written, which clearly shows that the Apostle Matthew was not a direct disciple of Jesus Christ.
Postcard: Christmas Rose—165 yen
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| Finger Rosary / “Sacred Heart” Medal / Key Chain |
The photo above shows a black finger rosary and a medal called “Mi Kokoro.”
The finger rosary is a type of rosary.
“Derived from the Latin word *rosarium* (meaning ‘garden of roses’ or ‘crown of roses’), it serves as an offering of roses to the Virgin Mary” (from Don Bosco Publishing)—a heartwarming expression of faith and reverence—and is essentially the same as the prayer beads used for prayer.
The finger rosary is a type of rosary.
“Derived from the Latin word *rosarium* (meaning ‘garden of roses’ or ‘crown of roses’), it serves as an offering of roses to the Virgin Mary” (from Don Bosco Publishing)—a heartwarming expression of faith and reverence—and is essentially the same as the prayer beads used for prayer.
*Rosary
The word “rosary” means “crown of roses.”
Each “Hail Mary” prayer is likened to a single rose, and the act of offering these roses to the Virgin Mary through prayer forms the “crown of roses” that is part of the Rosary.
The Rosary is a heartfelt tool for prayer, through which we present a crown of roses to the Blessed Virgin Mary through our prayers.
From the Don Bosco Society Rosary Page
https://www.donboscosha.com/product-list/236
<Thoughts on Enamel: "Derived from the Latin word ‘rosarium’ (meaning ‘garden of roses’ or ‘crown of roses’)—could it be that the Garden of Eden contained only roses?>
Take a look at the number of beads on this finger rosary.
There are 10 beads.
Both in East Asia, where I live, and in the West, these beads are shaped like stars.
Since the figure at the top represents Jesus, this rosary features 10 stars below Him.
This number corresponds to the official number of Jesus’ disciples.
There are 10 beads.
Both in East Asia, where I live, and in the West, these beads are shaped like stars.
Since the figure at the top represents Jesus, this rosary features 10 stars below Him.
This number corresponds to the official number of Jesus’ disciples.
Finger Rosary, Gold + Black: 260 yen
Medal, Sacred Heart, Medium: 600 yen
Sacred Heart, Small: 400 yen
Don Bosco Co. Online Shop
https://www.donboscosha.com/
Medal, Sacred Heart, Medium: 600 yen
Sacred Heart, Small: 400 yen
Don Bosco Co. Online Shop
https://www.donboscosha.com/
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| Back of the Finger Rosary |
Jesus had 10 direct disciples.
Add Jesus, Mary, and Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala) to that, and the total is 13.
Therefore, it is said that Jesus had 12 direct disciples, including Mary and Mary Magdalene.
Although the number 13 is often considered an unlucky number in Western society these days, in Catholicism, it is a very auspicious number because it includes Jesus, His direct disciples, and His family—making a total of 13.
Therefore, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” is not a teaching of Jesus.
It is not a Catholic teaching.
Add Jesus, Mary, and Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala) to that, and the total is 13.
Therefore, it is said that Jesus had 12 direct disciples, including Mary and Mary Magdalene.
Although the number 13 is often considered an unlucky number in Western society these days, in Catholicism, it is a very auspicious number because it includes Jesus, His direct disciples, and His family—making a total of 13.
Therefore, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” is not a teaching of Jesus.
It is not a Catholic teaching.
The following outlines the Church’s teachings and practical approaches regarding how individuals of the Catholic faith should confront and address violence—such as harassment, discrimination, bullying, and domestic violence—that they may face in their daily lives.That goes without saying, doesn’t it?
Catholic teaching does not require one to “continue to suffer without resistance.”
“Legitimate self-defense” to protect human dignity and “seeking help from others” are considered legitimate rights under the faith. From Google AI
Ever since I was a child, every time I heard these teachings from the Apostle Matthew, I’ve been incredibly worried.
Beautiful Christian churches, Christmas, and those golden, heart-shaped ornaments that decorate the tree.
A beautiful cake with bright red berries set against white frosting.
Wedding dresses. The light inside the church. The moment when the priest, wearing a ring that seems so essential, places his hand on the Bible to bless and protect the couple’s marriage.
Why must these people suffer such terrible things?
Why is it that only they are not allowed to strike back at those who strike them?
That long, agonizing worry finally came to an end this year, 2026.
I'm so glad.
I remember the admiration for Christians that filled the classroom when I was a child.
If you showed that admiration too openly, the kids—whose small, stocky bodies were bursting with that heavy, ignorant, and cunning dullness, capable only of imitating others, and who were merely part of the class’s backdrop—would inevitably ask the child they admired:
“Are you going to become a Christian? But if someone slaps you on the right cheek, you’re not supposed to slap them back, right?”
“Yeah… I haven’t decided yet.”
I couldn’t bring myself to take that child’s side.
Also, even now in Japanese society, where I live, I’ve always been afraid that the children of Catholics might be asked, “You’re not supposed to hit back, are you?”—even if they haven’t actually been victims of hate-motivated violence.
But the Catholic friends who have been so kind to me laughed heartily and assured me, “We definitely teach them to hit back.” I breathed a sigh of relief, and the small, round star in my heart—which had remained cold since childhood—began to shine brightly and white.
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| My New Rosary and Bracelet |
Since my favorite season is just around the corner, I’m pairing a pearl-beaded mini rosary with a midnight blue bracelet featuring a small “Miraculous Medal” of Mary—a rare aquamarine version—as my fall-winter ensemble.
It feels as though snow is always falling from the sky, and my spirit grows purer by the day.
As a conversation starter, I’d like to share some sparkling fragments of blue gemstones—the color of intellect—with all of you who read the Sunday edition.
Well then, I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.
Blue Cross Bracelet Medal: 2,300 yen
Shop Pauline / https://shop-pauline.jp/
20261018 20:54 Revised the text.
