Eva Marie Saint/エヴァ・マリー・セイント

ヒッチコックサスペンスの古典的名作『北北西に進路をとれ』を観た。過去数えきれないほど観た作品だがいつ観ても面白い。

作中、主演男優のCary Grantが主演女優のEva Marie Saintと列車の食堂車で会話をするシーンがある。映画史上でも有名なシーンの一つだが、このシーンを撮影する際、監督のHitchcockはEva Marie Saintに３つだけ注文をした：

１）Caryをまっすぐ見つめて目を離さないこと

２）話しながら手を動かさないこと

３）声をトーンをあげないこと

尚、デビュー作のOn the Waterfrontでメガホンをとった巨匠Elia Kazan監督は、女優に対して事細かに演技指導をすることで有名だったそうだが、Hitchcockは逆で、美しい女優を美しく見せることにかけて神がかりの才能を誇ったイギリス生まれの巨匠は、女優の魅力を引き出す最低限のお願いをして、あとは女優に任せるという手法をとっていたようだ。

なお、もしあなたが女性で、デートで誰かを魅了したかったら、Hitchcockの前述の助言は、今の時代でも役に立つかもしれません・・・ネ？

1924年生まれのEva Marie Saintは、現在もご存命。今年の7月4日に101歳の誕生日を迎える。まる。

I was watching Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense classic North by Northwest over dinner tonight. It stars Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint. I became a big fan of hers when I first saw her in this film—and since then, who knows how many times I’ve watched it? Each viewing still feels like a fresh pleasure.

Eva made her film debut in On the Waterfront in 1954 at the age of 30. She co-starred with Marlon Brando and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. While this black-and-white masterpiece showcases her talent as a rising actress, there’s something undeniably more alluring—more womanly—about her presence in North by Northwest.

My favorite scene comes fairly early in the film, when she and Cary Grant meet on a train and talk over a meal in the dining car. When filming the scene, Alfred Hitchcock gave Eva just three simple pieces of advice:

1. Look Cary Grant straight in the eye

2. Don’t move your hands while speaking

3. Avoid speaking in a high-pitched voice

Honestly, that sounds like great advice for anyone trying to be charming on a date.

Now that I think of it, I miss watching On the Waterfront. Maybe I’ll buy a DVD and add it to my collection.

Eva Marie Saint is now 100 years old—and she’ll be turning 101 this July.

Boxing Trainer Joel Diaz

Let’s talk about Joel Diaz today.

He was the trainer for Ramon Cardenas, who faced Naoya Inoue in the junior featherweight title fight on Cinco de Mayo.

I listened to Diaz’s interview after the bout, and he struck me as a top-notch trainer. Two things stood out in particular.

First is his analytical ability. He clearly understands what his fighter has in his arsenal and knows what to use in which situation. It’s as if he’s running a complex mental flowchart: if one option doesn’t work, he already knows what else to try. After the first round, for example, his immediate concern was whether Inoue’s power was going to be a serious problem. Ramon said no. That allowed Diaz to confidently advise him to keep pressuring Inoue. After all, Ramon had come down from featherweight and had experience dealing with heavier punchers.

The second quality that stood out was his sound judgment. After the knockdown in Round 7, Diaz said to Ramon, “I’ll give you one more f**kin’ round. Why? Because I see you slowing down.” That tells you everything. Speed is a core part of Ramon’s game. And if that weapon is no longer effective, then going toe-to-toe with a fighter like Inoue—the Monster—is a losing battle.

Some people online said the referee stopped the fight too early, but Diaz himself said in the interview that he was ready to throw in the towel when the ref stepped in. That tells you the stoppage was perfectly timed—at least from the perspective of the man who knows Ramon best. Diaz understood exactly what his fighter could still do—and what he couldn’t.

One moment from the post-fight interview really intrigued me. An interviewer asked if the left hook that briefly knocked down Inoue was something they had specifically prepared for. To my surprise, Diaz said no. Honestly, I think he was bluffing. Of course they practiced it. Any serious preparation would’ve involved studying Inoue’s past fights—especially his first-round knockdown against Luis Nery. Diaz could’ve easily said yes. So why didn’t he? My guess is: he didn’t want to show his hand. He wanted Team Inoue to underestimate him.

Why? Because Joel Diaz is going to be in the opposite corner again soon—as the trainer for Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Inoue’s next opponent.

In Inoue’s upcoming bout, his physical talent, mental toughness, and boxing IQ will be as critical as ever. But don’t overlook the strategic element. The trainers play a huge role in shaping the outcome. In other words, the junior featherweight title match in September won’t just be Monster vs. Akhmadaliev—it’ll be Shingo Inoue vs. Joel Diaz too.

Race Recap: The 45th Tateyama Wakashio Marathon

The 45th Tateyama Wakashio Marathon

The 45th Tateyama Wakashio Marathon was held in the beautiful coastal city of Tateyama, located at the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. I participated in the race and achieved another sub-4 marathon. Here’s how the race unfolded for me.

Race Start: A Cautious Beginning
The starting gun went off at 10:00 AM sharp. The temperature was a crisp 8.9°C, accompanied by strong northerly winds at 7 meters per second. The first 4 kilometers allowed runners to settle into a rhythm, aided by favorable tailwinds. However, the race had only just begun, and I knew there was a long way to go. Pacing cautiously was crucial. 

Thanks to my strong record in a previous race, I had the privilege of starting in Corral A. Still, within the first 10 kilometers, I was overtaken by many runners, including some from slower corrals. I didn’t let it bother me—I stuck to my target pace, guided by my training and understanding of my own capabilities.

First 10K: Settling In

At the 10K mark, I checked my split: 51 minutes and some seconds. It surprised me; I thought I had been running slightly slower. Deciding to err on the side of caution, I slowed my pace for the next 10 kilometers, knowing that this section of the course was strategically the most important.

10–20K: Staying Conservative

This stretch presented three key challenges. First, the increased undulations subtly wore down the legs. Second, the temperature rose as the course moved to the peninsula's southern side, where the hills blocked the cooling northern winds and reflected sunlight. Finally, the long, straight downhills tempted runners to speed up, risking burnout later.

Aware of these pitfalls, I maintained a conservative pace and took a couple of short bathroom breaks to relax and prepare for the demanding 20–30K section.

20–30K: Battling Hills and Winds
The 20–30K portion was even hillier than the previous segment. To make matters worse, the northern winds hit hard between the 22K and 25K marks, delivering both physical and mental challenges. I focused on running economically, especially on the uphill sections, to conserve energy.

The course’s highlight—and its toughest test—came at the 30K mark: the infamous Heartbreak Hill. This steep, 500-meter climb forced some runners to walk while others gritted their teeth and pushed on. Spectators lining the hill cheered enthusiastically, many of them clearly runners themselves, understanding the encouragement we needed.

30–40K: The Final Push
After conquering the hill, I returned to the coastal road with about 9 kilometers to go. The terrain leveled out somewhat, and more spectators gathered along the route. Some even recognized me from earlier and shouted, “Welcome back, Caveman!” Their support gave me a much-needed boost.

Initially, I had planned to pick up my pace in this final stretch. However, a twinge in my left hamstring signaled the onset of a cramp. Likely compensating for my injured right calf, my left leg was bearing extra strain. I abandoned the idea of speeding up and focused on maintaining an even rhythm.

While my pace wasn’t faster, I steadily overtook other runners who were struggling, having spent too much energy earlier in the race. This is where smart pacing made all the difference.

The Final Kilometer: A Battle to the Finish
As I neared the finish line, I saw the landmark resort condominium in the distance. Beyond it lay the end of the race. The sign reading “1K to go” brought memories of my training sessions to mind. “Just one more kilometer,” I told myself. “You’ve got this.”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my right calf, as if stabbed by a knife. “Not now!” I screamed internally. Slowing down to cope, I mustered every ounce of positive energy to keep moving. Smiling at spectators, I hoped their cheers would spark some magical burst of adrenaline to see me through.

The final stretch began with a pebbled section. Running on it in my yoga socks was agony. The pain in my soles almost made me forget about my cramping calf. Once the pebbles gave way to soft grass, I tried to kick for the last 30 meters. But my right calf seized completely, locking up and throwing me off balance. I limped across the finish line, determined not to give up.

Post-Race Reflection
The race was over. I had done it. Relief, joy, and disbelief washed over me. Despite the setbacks—my calf issue and less-than-ideal tapering—I had completed the marathon. Gratitude filled me for the experience and the lessons it brought.

The Aftermath

The next day, I was barely able to walk without a stick, and I’ll likely remain this way for a while. But I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

＜初心者に教えてあげたいオートバイの防寒対策について＞

＜初心者に教えてあげたいオートバイの防寒対策について＞

大型自動二輪免許を取得してまもなく丸5年を迎える比較的初心者ライダーの自分の過去数年の真冬は、防寒対策に明け暮れる日々だった。今日はそんな自分が試行錯誤の末に辿り着いた暫定の最強防寒対策を３つ紹介する。情報共有の一番の理由は、防寒アクセサリーの購入を検討している初心者ライダーの皆さんの出費抑制につながると思うからだ。

＜結論＞

オススメの防寒対策は以下の３つに集約される：

１）トップスは革ジャンの上にニット

２）手の寒さ対策は、どんな高級手袋よりも、ハンドルカバー

３）太腿対策は、マフラー

以下、各項目を理由と共に詳述する。

１）トップスは革ジャンの上にニット

バイクには革ジャン。異存のある人は少なかろう。しかし見た目にはカッコイイ皮ジャンだが、真冬の寒風にさらされると、外面は瞬く間に凍り付く。数十分も走行すると、外面の冷気が素材を中に伝わり、中に着ている衣類を冷やし、冷気はやがてインナーに達する。この状態になると走行は快適とは言い難くなる。ではどうしたら良いか？

ヒントは羊（ヒツジ）にあった。野生動物のヒツジは真冬に衣類を着なくても外で凍え死なない。そこでヒツジの防寒構造を精査したところ、皮膚の外に体毛を纏うという構造に気が付いた。これをライダーの衣類に当てはめると、革ジャンの上にニットを着るという構造にたとえることができる。早速実験したところ、予想は的中した。厚手のニットは、それ自体は風を通すために全く防寒にならないのだが、革ジャンの上に纏うと、革ジャン外面の温度低下の最大の原因である寒風の直撃が緩衝されて、革ジャンが冷えにくくなるのだった。

革ジャンの上に纏うニットは極論何でも良いと思う。今日はトレジャーファクトリーで0.1万円で買ったIndian Motorcycleというブランドの中古のニットジャケットを着ているが、昨年は、セカンドストリートで0.05万円くらいで買ったざっくり目の中古のニットを着た。前開きになっていてジッパーのついているものと、ホックで留めるタイプを二つ着まわしていた。風を遮るのが目的ではなく、革ジャンへの寒風の直撃を緩衝するのが目的なので、多少隙間が開いていても平気だ。

尚、この方法にはデメリットがある。レーシングタイプのバイクでは、親和性が未知だという点だ。クルーザーオーナーの自分からすると、レーシングタイプのライダーさんは、美意識が高い人が多いように見える。従って、私のオススメが受け入れられる可能性は低かろう。

一方、クルーザーバイクには、ニットでバイクといういで立ちが、かえってリラックス感を向上させるため、思いの外しっくりフィットする。クルーザーのオーナーさんは試されたい。

２）手の寒さ対策は、どんな高級手袋よりも、ハンドルカバー

手の寒さ対策は、どんな高級手袋を買うよりも、ハンドルカバーを買った方が良い。0.3万円程度で買える。ハンドルカバーは、１）でも解説した「寒風の直撃」を緩衝してくれる。その結果、装着している手袋の温度低下が限定的で済む。

「寒風の直撃」の恐ろしさと、「寒風の直撃を緩衝する」ことの効果を知らなかった最初の２年間に、どれだけの手袋を買っては試行錯誤を繰り返したことだろう。手袋は決して安くない。中には電気の力で温めてくれるタイプの物もある。グリップそのものを暖かくする設備投資も存在する。電気で手そのものを温める手袋は、個人的に試したことは無いので評価は控える。読者の皆さんが、各自試されたい。一方、グリップヒーターについては、幼馴染の元ライダーから「役に立たない」と聞かされていたので、無駄に散在せずに済んだ。尚、グリップヒーターに関する前述の評価は彼の私見なので、投資に見合った価値を見出す人が居ても驚かない。そうした方々は今後もグリップヒーターを利用されよう。

私の今回の主張は、0.3万円前後の投資で、手の寒さ問題は、ほぼ恒久的に解消できる、というものだ。そしてハンドルカバーは、雨が降っても手袋が濡れないメリットもある。

これは余談だが、グリップヒーターを装着しているライダーさんがハンドルカバーをも装着したら手元の暖かさはどうなるだろう？私はそこまで散在する気はないが、定めし常夏のハワイのような暖かさに包まれるに違いない。

そんなハンドルカバーも２点弱点がある。1点目は、シンプルに見た目がダサいこと。２点目は、ウインカーやライトの操作が、少しだけぎこちなくなる点だ。カバーごしの操作になるからである。しかしこれはしばらくすると馴れる。

一方、１点目のダサさ問題につける薬は・・・無い。「ダサかっこ良い」と開き直るしかすべはない。

３）太腿対策は、マフラー

太腿の対策は、マフラーだ。首に巻くのではない。家にある使っていないマフラーをボトムスの腿の前面に差し入れるのだ。厚手の物ほど効果が高い。今日の私は、セカンドストリートで0.05万円で買ったMade in Italyの超暖かいウール100%のマフラーを4つ折りにして差し入れている。これが超絶に暖かい。今日はLevi'sのデニムで最高気温11℃の千葉県中部の山間部を走行したが、皮パンにマフラー無しより、デニム＋マフラーの方が相対的に暖かいと感じる。これを皮パン＋マフラーにしたら、長年懸案だった太腿問題も、ほぼ恒久的に解消できると自信を育んだ。

しかしここに至るまでの道のりは楽ではなかった。昨年は、ワークマンのフュージョンダウンのハーフパンツをワットマンという古着屋で0.05万円程度で買い求め、それをボトムスの外に穿いたり、中に穿いたりして試した。

結論から言うと、この方法は、「防寒」の一点に絞れば、「合格」だった。しかし別の点で及第点をあげられなかった。それは「装着・脱着の手間」だ。目的地に着いた後、ボトムスの上に装着したフュージョンダウンのハーフパンツは、そのままでは町を歩けない。脱ぐためには厳ついロングブーツを脱がないといけない。面倒くさい。フュージョンダウンのハーフパンツを中に穿いている場合は、襁褓（むつき）をはめた赤ん坊のように尻の周りが膨らんでダサい。脱ぐためには公衆トイレでブーツを脱ぐ必要があり、これまた面倒だ。

一方、ボトムスに差し入れたマフラーは腰のボタンを数個外せばすぐに引き抜ける。駐車場のように人目の少ない場所であれば10秒もかからない。靴の脱着・再装着も不要だ。

尚、この方法が効果的である一番の理由は、寒風の直撃を受けるボトムスの外面の冷気が、肌に届きづらいことにある。ウールのマフラーは4つ折りにすると７～８mmの厚みになるのではないか？この距離、そして人間の体温を保持する天然素材の特質のおかげで、凍てついた外気の皮膚への直撃が、著しく緩衝されるのだろう。

＜まとめ＞

今日は、初心者に教えてあげたいオートバイの防寒対策について３点解説した。それは以下の３点だ：

１）トップスは革ジャンの上にニット

２）手の寒さ対策は、どんな高級手袋よりも、ハンドルカバー

３）太腿対策は、マフラー

上記は、これからバイクライフをエンジョイしようと思っている初級ライダーさんにとって極めて有益だ。なぜならば、真冬の快適ライドの最大の要と言える防寒問題に、安価な解決策を提供するからだ。浮いたお金は、２年後の車検費用に回すと良い。車と違ってバイクは何かと整備にお金がかかるので。

皆さんの快適バイクライフの参考になれば望外の喜びです。まる。

Race Recap: No Hill, No LIfe! 40th Kyoho no Oka Road Race - September 22, 2024 / 巨峰の丘マラソン20キロの部

On September 22, 2024, I took part in the 40th Kyoho no Oka Road Race in the quaint town of Makioka, Yamanashi Prefecture. I ran the 20K (though officially, it’s 18.3K) and finished with a time of 1:42:16. Here’s how it all went down.

<Pre-Race Preparation>  

To avoid the hassle of a long early morning train ride, I stayed overnight in Central Kofu and took the 8:01 train to JR Yamanashi-Shi Station. There, I caught the shuttle bus to the race venue. A good night’s sleep in a comfy hotel left me feeling refreshed and ready to go in the morning.

Even though I arrived at the bus pool in plenty of time, the shuttle was delayed, which meant I got to the venue just 20 minutes before the scheduled start. It was a mad dash from there. Still, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos of the lively start area before getting changed. 

After picking up my bib and quickly changing, I barely had 5 minutes to spare before making it to the start line. The energy in the air was electric as everyone geared up to tackle one of the most challenging courses in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region.

<The Race Begins>  

At 9:40, the gun went off, and we were off. The streets were lined with spectators, cheering and snapping photos as we charged ahead. The first challenge hit fast—a steep downhill, followed by a brutal uphill. Within minutes, you feel the burn in your legs, your breathing gets heavier, and the temperature feels like it's rising. It’s like being in a sauna!

Here’s a look at the race’s elevation map, which speaks for itself—it’s brutally hilly. For pacing, I broke the race into four 5K sections.

<First 5K: Warming Up>  

The first 5K serves as a warm-up. If you’re used to sub-5-minute splits, you’ll need to add about a minute for each kilometer. The incline is that steep. There are some downhills along the way, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately, today was overcast, and Mt. Fuji stayed hidden behind dark clouds.

I focused on conserving energy on the uphill and staying steady on the downhill, making sure not to push too hard early on.

<5K to 10K: The Climb>  

As the course split between the 10K and 20K runners, the real climb began. The 10K runners veered left, downhill, while we 20K runners turned right—straight into another uphill. This section was a grind, with a steady climb leading to the highest point just before the 10K mark.

My strategy here was simple: shorter steps, higher cadence, and keeping my eyes on the ground ahead, not the endless hill. This approach worked, and I reached the 10K mark faster than last year. From here, it was mostly downhill—except for three key climbs ahead.

<10K to 15K: Surviving the Wall>  

After a steep, winding descent, I hit the first big uphill of the second half, a straight incline that feels like running into a wall. By this point, your legs are feeling it, and it’s tough to maintain a fast cadence. You just have to grit your teeth and push through.

But after conquering that hill, you’re rewarded with the longest downhill stretch of the race. Most runners surge here, myself included, though I held back a bit. My minimalist shoes don’t provide much cushioning, and the pounding downhill takes a toll on the quads. Plus, I knew two more punishing hills were waiting for me at 15K and with 1K to go.

I was overtaken by quite a few runners in high-tech shoes on the descent, but I stayed focused. My goal was to run the race my way.

<15K to Finish: The Final Climb>  

Section 3 ended as we turned onto a narrow street, and the toughest hill of the race loomed ahead—a brutal 500-meter climb. Most runners slowed to a walk here, but I was determined to keep running. This race isn’t just about testing my fitness; it’s training for even bigger races ahead.

To my surprise, the runners who had passed me earlier were now struggling on the hill, some walking, while I managed to overtake them. But once we crested the hill, they surged ahead again on the downhill stretch.

As the course wound through more suburban streets, the roof of the elementary school gym—our finish line—came into view. But the race wasn’t over yet. One last hill awaited us, shorter but just as brutal as the others.

<The Final Push>  

The runners who had passed me earlier slowed on this final climb, and I gave it everything I had left. I passed a few familiar faces, including some of those runners in carbon-plated super shoes. Once I reached the top, I didn’t look back, focusing on the last 800 meters. 

No one passed me after that final hill, and I crossed the line feeling proud. My official time was 1:42:16, the 7th fastest time in my 12 years running this race. Not bad for a 58-year-old who once had a meniscus tear!

The Kyoho grapes they handed out at the finish were out of this world—definitely the best post-race treat I’ve had.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing all the citizen runners out there again next year. You all inspire me to keep pushing and giving it my all in races. I can't thank you enough.

Boston Marathon 2024

The 2024 Boston Marathon was held on April 15. Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia won with a respectable time of 2:06:17. 

Sisay, with a personal best of 2:01:48 from the Valencia Marathon 2023, took an early lead with a sudden burst of speed. No one chased him, which is not surprising. Boston is one of the toughest major marathons, with a series of big hills near the end where all sorts of drama can happen.

Though he slowed down a bit in the last few miles, allowing chasers to close in, he managed to maintain a comfortable lead through the infamous hills to touch the tape.

In the women's elite field, Kenya's Helen Obiri successfully defended her title with a time of 2:22:27. She ran neck-and-neck with her rival until a mile to go, but soon pulled away with an iconic burst of speed. 

In the elite men's field, Yuma Morii of Kyoto, Japan, finished 8th with a time of 2:09:59, becoming only the second Japanese after Toshihiko Seko to run the world's oldest marathon under 2:10:00. 

Paris Olympics nominee Suguru Osako finished 13th with a time of 2:11:47.

戦争の起源、男女差別の起源、農耕の起源/"Cannibals and Kings" by Marvin Harris

Marvin Harris, an acclaimed anthropologist, delves into the roots of cultures in his renowned work, "Cannibals and Kings." As I revisit this timeless piece, I find myself contemplating the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. You can access the book for free on Google Books, and it's worth a read. Personally, my interest in this subject waned in the 1990s, and I'm aware that much has transpired since then in the realm of cultural origins. It's likely that subsequent archaeological findings may have challenged or reshaped some of Harris's arguments. Nevertheless, the book remains captivating, offering readers fresh perspectives that encourage us to view the world around us through new lenses.