I spent many years working in the energy sector at a trading company. As I approached retirement from the front lines of corporate life, I began to reflect on what I had truly wanted to pursue in life.

What enriched my busy professional life, even in small ways, were books on history and the memorable stories I encountered within them.

My fascination with history began during my second year as a ronin (a student preparing to retake university entrance exams). While spending long hours at home struggling with mathematics—my weakest subject—I found myself reading paperbacks and introductory books under the guise of exam preparation. After becoming a company employee, however, the otherwise unproductive hours spent commuting by train turned into valuable reading time.

I have always found it deeply enjoyable to empathize with and be surprised by people and events from the past—experiences one could never encounter within the limits of a single lifetime. Such knowledge, I believe, makes travel even more meaningful and enjoyable.

Japan is filled with remarkable stories and historical remnants. It is also a rare country where cultural traditions and patterns of behavior rooted in the past still remain relatively intact. In his renowned book The Clash of Civilizations, Samuel P. Huntington categorized Japan as one of the world’s nine major civilizations. I sincerely hope that Japan will continue to cherish what makes it uniquely Japanese—in the best sense of the word.

Through this blog, I hope to share memorable stories, reflections from my travels, and the experiences that resonate with me, while also supporting my own ongoing exploration of history.

That said, having reached my sixtieth year and entered what might be called the fourth corner of life, I realize there may no longer be enough time to pursue scholarship in a deeply academic sense. Instead, I would be delighted if I could continue to gather inspiring stories and beautiful landscapes, share them with like-minded friends, and enjoy good conversation over fine drinks.

I was born in Kanazawa and have lived in Tokyo since university. During my corporate career, I also spent five years in Hiroshima, six years in Los Angeles, and three years in Houston. I have a deep affection for golf—though I am not particularly good at it—history, the fascinating worlds of earth science, chemistry, and space that I encountered through work, and, above all, the Hanshin Tigers.