My mother was born in Sakasho Village, Gifu Prefecture (now part of Mino-Kamo
City), and I was also born there as she returned to her hometown for my birth.
Although I was raised in Kani Town (now Kani City), I vividly remember spending time
occasionally in my mother's hometown from a very young age.
We were not well-off, and during ordinary times, we couldn't afford to buy many
sweets.
However, whenever we visited her hometown, I distinctly recall my mother buying an
astonishing amount of sweets on the way back.
During these visits, we used to walk from Mino-Ota Station to our home in Fukada.
The Route 21 was unpaved, and I have memories of walking on a gravel road,
struggling with my child's steps. On the way back, carrying heavy bags of rice, my
mother, perhaps recalling the post-war restrictions on rice, used to remind me not to
look burdened, especially when passing by the Mino-Kamo Police Station.
My mother, who has now passed away, repeatedly shared a fascinating tale about the
northern slope of Mt. Hatobuki, the climbing destination of my youth.
She pointed to that area from our home, mentioning how she witnessed a "fox's
wedding" there in the past. The northern slope of Hatobuki is steep, facing the
Kisogawa River, and still lacks any pathways. According to her, countless foxfires were
visible on that mountainside.
Today, with the rain falling, those old memories have resurfaced.
While I may not observe any signs of fox presence around Hatobuki, that doesn't
matter much to me.
What's crucial is cherishing the memory of my mother seeing "foxfires" and sharing
that story with me.
I wanted to hear the "foxfires" story once more, but my mother no longer recognized
me, and she passed away two years ago.
哀愁☆太郎 
田中 久史 
sunukolyn 
イエス・ノー（呑んべぇ） 
たいぞー 
Yumiko HIRAI 
TERAGOYA おとな 
mokomoko 
岩魚太郎 
ターキーさん