日本人戦没者墓地 The Cowra Japanese War Cemetery

　オーストラリアのニューサウスウェールズ州にある「カウラ日本人墓地」は、1944年に捕虜収容所で起きた史上最大規模の脱走劇『カウラ事件』の犠牲者を中心に、大戦中に同国で亡くなった520名以上の日本人が眠るオーストラリア唯一の公式な日本人戦没者墓地です。墓地の整備や日豪の和解に尽力した当時のカウラ市長、故A.J.オリバー氏ら市民の方々の温かい献身によって、現在ではかつて敵国同士だった両国を結ぶ平和と友好の象徴として美しく維持されています。オーストラリア兵と捕虜であった日本人が隣り合う敷地に祀られていることは真の和解の証と感じます。（吉田）

The Cowra Japanese War Cemetery in New South Wales, Australia, is the only official Japanese war cemetery in the country. It serves as the final resting place for over 520 Japanese individuals who died in Australia during the war—most notably those who perished during the "Cowra Breakout" of 1944, the largest-scale escape attempt from a prisoner-of-war camp in history. Thanks to the heartfelt dedication of local residents—including the late A.J. Oliver, who served as the mayor of Cowra at the time and worked tirelessly toward the site’s development and the cause of Japan-Australia reconciliation—the cemetery is now beautifully maintained as a symbol of peace and friendship between two nations that were once enemies. The fact that Australian soldiers and the Japanese prisoners of war are laid to rest on adjacent grounds stands as a testament to true reconciliation. (Snimpei)

Our hometown !

　アデレードの空からキャンベラへ舞い降り、車窓の景色に過ぎ去りし日々の面影を探しながら、バスで揺られること二時間。終着の地、カウラへと辿り着きました。 私たちの音楽の旅の原点は、1977年のこの街の空気にあります。あの日から今日まで変わらぬ眼差しで見守り続けてくれる方々。そして、時代が変わってもなお、新しい世代へと受け継がれる深い愛情。降り立った私たちを待っていたのは、言葉よりも雄弁な、たくさんの温かい笑顔でした。 旅の終わりは、始まりの場所へ。ここは私たちが心から安らげる、かけがえのないホームタウンです。 明日は、この街がくれたすべての奇跡に溢れんばかりの感謝と万感を込め、全身全霊のコンサートをお届けします。（吉田）

After arriving in Canberra from Adelaide, we spent two hours on a bus, watching the scenery pass by and searching for traces of days gone by, until we finally reached our destination: Cowra. The origins of our musical journey are rooted in the very atmosphere of this town, dating back to 1977. There are those who have watched over us with an unchanging gaze from that day to this—and a profound affection that, despite the passing of time, has been passed down to new generations. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a multitude of warm smiles—smiles that spoke far more eloquently than any words could. Our journey has come full circle, returning to where it all began. This is our irreplaceable hometown—a place where we can truly find peace of mind. Tomorrow, we will pour our entire being into a concert, filled with an overflowing sense of gratitude for all the miracles this town has bestowed upon us. (Shimpei)

A Special Gift

　別れの朝。冷え込む空気のなか、ロベサルの方々が私たちに届けてくださったのは、思いがけないほど素敵な贈り物でした。二つの合唱団の絆を示すエンブレムが刺繍されたマフラー。寒さに縮こまっていた首元へそれを巻いた瞬間、不思議と全身がじんわりと温められるような気がしました。それはマフラーそのものの温かさだけでなく、メンバーの皆さん真心が伝わってきたからだと思います。
　半円状に並ぶ私たちの元へ、ロベサルの皆さんが一人ひとり歩み寄り、両手でしっかりと力強い握手を交わしてくれました。交わす言葉は互いに流暢ではありません。けれど、「ありがとう」「どうかお元気で」「また必ず会いましょう」という心からの思いは、言葉の壁を越えて痛いほど伝わってきました。声の大きさや言葉の流暢さに関わらず、表情や手の温もりを通して確かに心がつながり合った、かけがえのない時間でした。（斎藤）

On the morning of our departure, amidst the biting cold, our friends from　Lobethal presented us with a truly wonderful and unexpected gift: scarves, each carefully embroidered with an emblem symbolizing the bond between our two choirs. As I wrapped one around my neck—where the cold had made me shiver—I felt a gentle, spreading warmth throughout my entire body. It was not merely the warmth of the scarf itself, but the sincere, heartfelt affection from them that reached me.

The members of Lobethal approached us one by one as we stood in a semicircle, offering firm, strong handshakes with both hands. Though neither side was fluent in the other’s language, the sentiments—"Thank you," "Take good care," and "We will surely meet again"—transcended the language barrier, resonating deeply. Regardless of the volume of our voices or our linguistic fluency, it was an irreplaceable moment where our hearts truly connected through our expressions and the warmth of our hands. (Satoshi)

オタマトーン Otamatone

　音楽を通して心を通わせようと、オーストラリア・ロベサルの学校へ忍ばせていったのは「オタマトーン」。最初は「これは本当に楽器なのか？」と怪訝な顔で遠巻きに眺めていた子供たちでした。しかし、私がその奇妙な相棒で『きらきら星』をひと節奏でた瞬間、教室の空気は魔法にかかったように一変しました。恐る恐る、やがて目を輝かせてオタマトーンに手を伸ばす子供たち。奪い合いになるかという私の心配をよそに、「次は私の番ね」と優しいバトンを繋ぐように音を響かせる姿がありました。言葉を持たないおかしな楽器が、国境を越えて見事に彼らの心を調和させた瞬間でした。（富樫）

Hoping to connect through music, I brought an "Otamatone" along with me to a school in Robesal, Australia. At first, the children looked on with skepticism, keeping their distance and wondering, "Is this actually a musical instrument?" But the moment I played a few notes of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on this quirky companion, the atmosphere in the classroom transformed as if by magic. Tentatively at first—but soon with eyes full of wonder—the children reached out toward the Otamatone. Contrary to my fears that they might fight over it, they took turns with gentle consideration, passing the instrument along like a baton. In that moment, this strange, wordless little instrument transcended borders and brought their hearts into perfect harmony. (Atsushi)

ゴールデンの輝き Golden Radiance

　アデレードでのジョイントコンサート。数多の声が交錯する中、ジョンさんの歌声は夜空に瞬く金星のように圧倒的な光彩を放っていた。当時の私には、後にロベサルで幾度も共に歌い、彼の家で寝食を共にする未来など知る由もなかった。
　時が過ぎ、ご高齢のため私は別の家に滞在しているが、合唱団で再び一緒に歌声を響かせた。「合唱歴56年、もう昔のようには歌えないさ」と笑う彼。しかし、いざ共に旋律へ身を委ねた刹那、「老い」のかげりは見事に砕け散る。少しも錆びていない、あの日と同じゴールデンの輝き。その威厳ある響きの前では、私のCF生活37年など短い前奏曲（プレリュード）に過ぎない。偉大な先達の底知れぬ力に、ただ畏敬の念を震わせた夜だった。（三瓶）

At a joint concert in Adelaide, amidst a tapestry of countless interweaving voices, John’s singing shone with an overwhelming brilliance—much like Venus twinkling in the night sky. Little did I know then that, in the years to follow, I would sing alongside him time and again in the *Robert Salis* choir, and even share a home with him, living and dining under the same roof.

Time has passed, and due to his advanced age, he now resides elsewhere; yet, we found ourselves singing together once more within the choir. "I’ve been singing for 56 years—I can’t quite sing like I used to," he remarked with a laugh. But the moment we surrendered ourselves to the melody, any shadow cast by "old age" vanished completely. His voice remained untarnished, possessing that same golden radiance I remembered from so long ago. Before the majesty of his tone, my own 37 years in the choir felt like nothing more than a brief prelude. It was an evening that left me trembling with awe at the unfathomable power of such a great, seasoned predecessor.（Akihiro)

3Cheers

　誰かの背中を温かく押し、心に明かりを灯す魔法の言葉。それが、ロベサルハーモニークラブの皆さんがここぞという時に響かせるエール「3Cheers（スリーチアーズ）」です。
「Hip! Hip! Hurray!（ヒピ！ヒピ！ハレイ！）」
弾むようなこのリズムを三度重ね合わせることで、小さな応援の声は、やがて大きく会場を包み込ます。
　賑やかなビアハウスでの夕食会。皆の笑顔をレンズに収めようと、会場を奔走するCFのカメラマンに、ジョンさんの掛け声とともに労いと感謝が降り注ぎました。皆さんが心を一つにして贈った「3Cheers」。

　声と心が幾重にも重なり合う、その力強くも優しい響き。人と人とを瞬時に結びつける、かくも美しき魂の習慣に触れ、胸が熱くなりました。（須賀）

There are magical words that offer a warm nudge to someone, lighting a spark within their heart. This is the "3 Cheers"—a rallying cry that the members of the Robesal Harmony Club unleash at just the right moment.

"Hip! Hip! Hurray!"

By repeating this spirited, rhythmic cheer three times over, a modest expression of support swells to fill the entire venue.

During a dinner party at a lively beer hall, the CF photographer—who had been darting around the room, working up a sweat to capture everyone’s smiles—was showered with appreciation and gratitude. The members of the Robesal Harmony Club joined their hearts together to offer a resounding "3 Cheers."

As their voices and spirits layered upon one another, the sound was both powerful and tender. Witnessing this beautiful, soulful tradition—one that instantly bridges the gap between people—truly warmed my heart. (Takamasa)

天然のバグ画像 A "Glitch" in Nature

　ロベサル・ハーモニークラブのグラーム・シモンズさんの邸宅に滞在中のこと。家の周囲に広がるのは、私たちが思い描く「オーストラリア」をそのままキャンバスに描き出したような大草原。 さて、この国といえばカンガルーですが、一歩外へ出れば最後、千葉県いすみ市を我が物顔で練り歩く「キョン」に遭遇する位の高い確率で出くわします。あまりの数の多さと視線の痛さに、観察しているはずのこちらが、逆に彼らから「監視されている」ような奇妙な錯覚に陥るほどです。 その証拠とも言える奇跡の一枚がこちら。５匹が見事にシンクロしたポーズで佇んでいますが、誓ってPhotoshopの「コピペ」ではありません。オーストラリアの大自然が生み出した、天然のバグ画像です。（須藤）

During my stay at the residence of Graham Simmons—a member of the Robesal Harmony Club—I found myself surrounded by vast grasslands that looked exactly like the quintessential "Australia" one might imagine. Now, while this country is synonymous with kangaroos, stepping outside almost guarantees an encounter with *muntjac* deer—much like how one might frequently run into them roaming around Isumi City in Chiba Prefecture. There are so many of them, and their gazes are so intense, that I began to feel a strange, unsettling sensation: as if *I* were the one being watched by *them*. The photo here serves as proof—a truly miraculous shot. Five of them are standing in perfectly synchronized poses; I swear, this is not a case of "copy-paste" in Photoshop. It is a "glitch" in reality, conjured up by the wild, natural world of Australia.(Yoshifumi)