Good morning 0508

Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers 

Yesterday I talked about the article “Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers” with a friend in English. She asked me about the issue, but I didn’t know much about it. Apparently, it is mainly happening in big cities like Tokyo.

However, I think a similar situation is occurring not only in big cities but especially in rural areas as well, though not going bankrupt. In rural areas, the population is decreasing, so the number of customers is also declining. Of course, large chains and big salons have not expanded much into such places. Beauticians or barbers own their shops and run them by themselves. In many cases, that is enough because there were not originally so many customers there.

Since young people often do not inherit their family farms, they tend to leave rural areas. As a result, most customers are elderly people, and many salon owners are elderly as well. Therefore, both customers and salons may gradually disappear over time.

In mid-sized cities like Utsunomiya, however, I feel that the number of salons is actually increasing. Most of them are not large salons. More than half seem to be individually run, and many are operated by husbands and wives together. Sometimes only one of them is a barber or beautician, while the other works to support their living expenses. In addition, these salons are often opened in part of their own house, so they do not have to pay shop rent.

Going back to the earlier point, expensive rent is probably one of the reasons why it is difficult for beauty salons and barbershops to survive in big cities.

In addition, more hairstylists and barbers are now visiting nursing homes or elderly people’s homes to cut hair instead of working only in salons. They are called visiting hairstylists or mobile hairstylists, and part of the cost can be covered by Japan’s long-term care insurance system.

Although the number of salons themselves may be decreasing, hairstylists and barbers will probably continue to have stable jobs because people can rely on their skills, even as AI becomes more widespread.

Good morning 0507

 “All right” is always how I start this blog. And actually, we are all right today, too.

But to tell the truth, lately either of us has often been in a bad mood. This morning, it was Yuki — probably because of the heaviness and fatigue he feels in the mornings.

Still, the long holiday is over now, so our usual routine is starting again: hospital visits, shopping and sometimes lunch out, and the gym. We have things to do, so maybe from today we won’t even have time to stay in a bad mood.

So, although it may sound a little strange, we are all right.

My friend stopped by with some flowers.

Good morning 0506

 It is the last day of this five-day weekend.

Yesterday, our younger daughter M and our granddaughter A came to visit. Unfortunately, YUKI wasn’t as energetic as usual, so the three of us ladies went to a supermarket and bought some delicatessen food.

Since there were five of us, we needed more food than YUKI and I usually buy.

Our elder daughter joined us via video call. Starting next weekend, her solo exhibition will be held in Tokyo for one month. YUKI and I won’t be able to go, but M, A, and another friend are planning to visit on the first day.

Good morning 0504

 A new week has started. We’re in the middle of a five-day weekend, and both of us are spending it rather lazily.

Fortunately, Yuki was able to receive his chemotherapy last Friday, even though it had been scheduled to be skipped.
Based on his previous treatments, he might develop a fever around this time, but so far he hasn’t.

The current chemotherapy seems to be working and holding the progression back, and the doctors are pleased. However, we have mixed feelings and can’t simply feel happy about it. It feels as if this might be the last treatment that can prolong his life, which is what the doctors seem to be implying.

Still, yesterday he participated in a jazz session at a jazz café. He’s trying to enjoy every moment. That said, depending on how he feels in the morning, we never know if he’ll be able to go out—so we’re just taking it easy.

Meanwhile, I find myself becoming increasingly anxious about living alone someday. Our children live far away, so I can’t really rely on them to come quickly in an emergency. It feels too early—both in terms of age and finances—to move into a care home.
My mother-in-law decided on her own to move into one at the age of 80.

When I start thinking about these things, my anxiety swells up and sometimes leaves me unable to get out of bed. That was me yesterday.

Still, somehow, life goes on.

Good morning 0430.

 It’s a cool day today, so I have the heater on. Yuki has started wearing setta as indoor slippers

Setta look like flip-flops, but they are traditional Japanese sandals, often made with tatami. They are usually worn by men with kimono or by monks.

I thought they might help keep his toes in place and give some stimulation, so we decided to try them. He’s also wearing special socks for them.

Haiku in April

 The results of the April online haiku meeting  are out. I submitted three haiku though it is a rule. this time  only one was chosen. Can you guess which one?

I tried translating them into English.

Mother’s back—
in open-air bath steam,
all hazy

Falling cherry blossoms—
a Hannya mask hidden
within my heart
Hannya: a traditional mask symbolizing hidden anger and sorrow

This cherry blossom—
again, the two of us
in a wheelchair now

Good morning 0428

 It is sunny today, and we are glad. Yesterday, as I wrote, it was rainy and very cold. After we came back home from the hospital, neither of us felt well, so we lay down and rested, even though the hospital itself was warm.

We carefully looked at the images together with the radiologist. Thankfully, there is no metastasis this time, and the tumors in the brain are now almost undetectable. It seems we can continue living with the cancerfor a while longer. For now, it feels like we’ve managed to hold on.

Worrying every time like this is exhausting, but it can’t be helped.

A friend who lives in Tokyo suddenly sent me a message this morning and asked, “Are you watching TV?” Apparently, Utsunomiya has been ranked No. 1 as a place to relocate. I didn’t see the program, so I’m not sure whether that ranking was for people from big cities or from more rural areas.

Living costs may be lower than in big cities, but it is hard to live without a car, and it is cold here.

From my friend