SYSTEM NOTICE

Auto translation by AI. Be sure, accuracy, nuances and authorial intent may not be fully reflected.
見出し画像

Ihatov tastes like a baked good. [My gluttonous self and the 'ideal sweetness' given by Kenji Miyazawa]

瀬尾豊

Title
Ihatov tastes like a baked good.
Subtitle
My gluttonous self and the 'ideal sweetness' given by Kenji Miyazawa
Catchphrase
'Ihatov'? It must be the name of a delicious food. — A record of a reading experience where pure appetite led me to a utopia.


Delusional mini-essay: 'Ihatov tastes like a baked good.'


'Ihatov'
I imagined a delicious wheat-based baked good, but that's not it.
What is this habit of thinking everything is the name of a delicious food?
By the way, I also thought 'Sharapova' was the name of a sweet at first...

How romantic ✨✨✨✨

The moment I heard those five characters, 'Ihatov,' which carry a somewhat exotic atmosphere, my thoughts, like a trained Pavlovian dog, immediately headed straight for the image of something delicious to eat. This time was no exception.

'Ihatov... it must be delicious.'

Along with that unconscious assertion, what floated into my mind was the image of a baked good—crispy, fragrant, and crumbling in the mouth—made with high-quality flour and generous amounts of butter. I didn't imagine something mass-produced, but rather something simple yet delicate, like cookies or tarts carefully baked by a quiet artisan in a long-established patisserie tucked away on a cobblestone side street in a small European town, or perhaps a fruit tart hiding a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. The sound of the word was filled with the promise of a special sweetness that can only be found in a distant, foreign land.

However, unfortunately, my delusion to satisfy my hunger was immediately shattered by reality. My internal knowledge database instantly corrected me, stating that Ihatov is an extremely romantic coined term created by the poet Kenji Miyazawa, signifying a utopia based on spiritual richness. It was a 'place' in his mental world that would never be lost, phonetically derived from the real place name of Iwate Prefecture, and a concept completely unrelated to material food.

Where on earth does this bad habit come from—this reflex in my thinking that seems hardwired to automatically assume, 'If it's a proper noun I'm hearing for the first time, isn't it probably the name of a delicious food?' I feel both exasperated and amused by my own gluttonous instinct. I made the exact same mistake a few years ago. When I heard the name of the tennis star 'Sharapova,' I reflexively decided it was the name of some stylish foreign chocolate or a Western-style confection filled with colorful fruits. Every time this happens, I cannot help but smile bitterly at the overly straightforward and easy-to-understand reaction of my gluttonous instinct.

Now, knowing the truth, I ruminate on the word 'Ihatov' once again.

'How romantic ✨✨✨✨'

A utopia that values spiritual richness, harmony with the nature that gives birth to all things, and a world where individual lives respect each other and coexist gently, rather than material satisfaction or the accumulation of wealth. What Kenji poured into it was a dream and ideal that was infinitely gentle and clear, contrasting with the harsh reality of the era he lived in, as well as a deep love for humanity. It has a far more lasting and beautiful resonance than the satisfaction of a temporary sense of taste.

While feeling a little ashamed of my shallow, gluttonous self for imagining a baked good, I felt my heart quietly filled with that fantastical resonance. Ihatov is not a sweetness that melts on the tongue, but spiritual nourishment that moistens the soul. It became an 'ideal sweetness' that is engraved in my heart far more deeply and lastingly than any food. When I let my thoughts wander to Kenji's mental world, the word continues to quietly moisten my spirit, which has been parched by the hustle and bustle of modern life, like water from a clear spring.


That was what I was thinking about on this Monday evening.





#Ihatov

#KenjiMiyazawa

#GluttonousMonologue

#Utopia

#SoulFood

#ReadingExperience

#Essay

#BakedGoods

#SharapovaIsNotFood

#SpiritualRichness





-----Detailed content and composition plan for the cover art. Concept of the composition: Express the narrative that sublimates from the image of 'material baked goods' to a 'spiritual utopia' with contrast and harmony. Detailed content elements: Main visual: A composition inspired by the showcase of an old patisserie. Through the glass, delicious, simple cookies and fruit tarts are lined up. Draw the baked goods so that thin, transparent particles of light (like stardust or a galaxy) overlap and appear to be visible through them. Color scheme: A warm sepia tone overall. However, the food parts, such as the fruit on the tarts and the browning of the cookies, should have realistic colors to whet the appetite. Use clear blue and white, which symbolize Kenji's worldview, for the light particles falling from above to create contrast. Font: For the title, use a literary serif font that is handwritten-style yet elegant. Place it in a design like a confectionery shop sign to create a simple atmosphere. Place the subtitle and catchphrase in a small, highly visible gothic font at the bottom so as not to interfere with the content of the text. Background/Decoration: The background of the showcase should have a texture that evokes an exotic feel, such as a cobblestone path or an old European-style wall. Furthermore, decorate around the title text with a few leaves of plants that appear in Kenji's poems (such as beech or oak) as if they are dancing in the wind. Advice: How to attract readers: While making them feel 'It looks delicious!' the moment they see the cover, create a question mark like 'Ihatov isn't food, is it?' to strengthen the introduction to the main text. Design points: By firmly depicting the dual structure of baked goods and the transparent, clear world (light particles) depicted by Kenji, you can visually express the fusion of the two worldviews that are the themes of the main text: 'appetite' and 'ideal'.



Disclaimer and Copyright Notice
This work is a work of fiction. It has no connection whatsoever with any real persons, organizations, or events. Furthermore, it is not intended to describe or criticize any specific examples or events. Even if there are any similarities to actual facts or persons, these are purely coincidental and do not identify any individuals or organizations.
The copyright of this work belongs to the author. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, or commercial use is prohibited.
© 2026 Yutaka Seo All rights reserved.
Disclaimer and Copyright Notice
This work is a work of fiction. It has no connection whatsoever with any real persons, organizations, or events. Furthermore, it is not intended to describe or criticize any specific examples or events. Even if there are any similarities to actual facts or persons, these are purely coincidental and do not identify any individuals or organizations.
The copyright of this work belongs to the author. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, or commercial use is prohibited.
© 2026 Yutaka Seo All rights reserved.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Disclaimer: [Supervising Editor: Yutaka Seo]
*Please point out any typos, misinformation, or questionable points in the article.
When taking any action based on the information in this article, please do so at your own risk.
Disclaimer: *Please point out any typos, misinformation, or questionable points in the article. When taking any action based on the information in this article, please do so at your own risk.