A wonderful gift from note 🎁 Thank you for the congrats again this week, a week supported by connections | 3rd week of March 2026

Thank you all for always reading my and Happy Ojo's note.

Do you know what day it is today, March 18th?

It's Happy Ojo's 4th day since her debut! 🐾✨

That's one thing, yes.

Have you all listened to her debut song yet?

We've received so many supportive comments and debut celebration messages for Happy Ojo,
and every day, Ojo and I are feeling absolutely wonderful ☺️

Thank you so much.

For those who haven't listened to it yet—
We are still in the "Happy Ojo push period"! ✨

I'm posting the video here again today,
so if you'd like, please do give her debut song a listen.

And if you could support us with likes or fan letters—
Ojo will be very happy, wagging her tail 🐾💕
---
But today is also another very important day for those of us who are blind or have low vision.
Yes, it is Braille Block Day.

Did you know that braille blocks actually originated in Japan?

Since they were first laid in Okayama Prefecture on March 18, 1967, this day is known as "Braille Block Day."
I've written about this before, but braille blocks are an important guide that protects our lives.

When I first lost my sight, I was terrified of going outside and was full of anxiety.

I didn't know where or how to walk, and there were times when I would just stand still.
It was the braille blocks that gradually led me out into the world.

Through the sensation transmitted from the soles of my feet and my white cane,

"I should walk here"
"It's okay to proceed this way"
they taught me, and I was able to take it one step at a time.
Actually, there aren't many countries where braille blocks are as well-maintained as in Japan.

I felt this when I went to Denmark before; the braille blocks there weren't shaped like the ones in Japan, but were more like thin, single lines.

Honestly, I remember feeling that it was quite hard to understand just from that.
Of course, it's not enough in Japan either.

Even so, I really want you to know that there are many people who are helped by the existence of braille blocks.
Overseas, there were times when I felt that soft-side barrier-free measures, such as verbal assistance and guidance, were more advanced.

But I, for one, have been helped by those yellow blocks many times.

For me, when I was full of anxiety, the braille blocks were a reassuring presence that gently told me, "It's okay to walk here."
Today is Braille Block Day.

Those yellow blocks you see casually every day,
lead to someone's peace of mind,
and protect someone's life.
I would be happy if this could be a day where you remember that, even just a little.

So, this time,
in honor of the important day that is Braille Block Day, I shared some of my thoughts—

but from here on, as usual,
I would like to look back on this past week ☺️

Last week was also a week with so many things happening.

To everyone who read the articles,
everyone who supported me with likes and comments,
and everyone who is quietly watching over us—

thank you so much.

Every time I write a reflection article like this every week,
I feel that "even though it seems like I'm writing alone, I'm not alone."

So this time as well,
while introducing the Congra Boards I received last week,
I would like to look back on this past week 🐾

🐾 About Congra Boards

First, let me introduce the Congra Boards I received last week.

As one big event this time—
the total number of likes exceeded 18,000.

Actually, in last week's reflection, I had just reported reaching 17,000 likes.
It exceeded 18,000 just a little after that,
so it's not exactly one week later,

but I am truly grateful to have reached another milestone in such a short period.
The fact that I've been able to build this up little by little

is undoubtedly thanks to all of you who read my work.
Thank you so much.
And one more thing.

In the "#EnjoyArt" project,

my essay on visual impairment received a Congra Board
as an article that gathered particularly many likes last week.
And furthermore,

in the "#FavoritePhoto" project,
Ojo's "Thank you for always supporting me ❤️" article
also received a Congra Board.
I am very happy that both my article expressing my thoughts

and the article about my daily life with Ojo
have reached so many people.

🐾 Last week's topics

And speaking of big events this week—
it has to be this.

Happy Ojo's debut 🐾✨

She successfully made her idol debut from the famous (?) Takars Agency in the note world.
A debut song was even released,

and we received many supportive comments.
As for Ojo—

she listens to her debut song every morning and wags her tail.
She's in high spirits and her excitement is through the roof (lol).
It seems she likes it quite a lot ☺️

This Happy Ojo and her debut song

were born from connections with friends on note.
It's something that could only be realized because of everyone's support.

I feel truly happy about it.
And actually, I already have the next ambition—

I want to release a second and third song following this one,

and ultimately, I hope to create a song of gratitude for Ojo, who will be retiring this year.
And if I could sing it for Ojo
at the live performance scheduled for August—

that is the future I am envisioning.

🐾 About the co-managed magazine

And one more thing.

Last week, we finally
started operating the co-managed magazine.

There are still few members,
but even without sending out any specific invitations,
the number of people participating is gradually increasing,
which makes me very happy.

Also, the number of people following and reading it
is definitely increasing,
and I have a real sense that it is spreading little by little.

"A 'thank you' that only we, as the parties involved, can convey."

I hope to nurture it into a place where such warm connections are born.

🐾 And this week

Looking back like this,
it was a week with so many things happening.

Each event might be small,
but looking back like this,
I feel that I am definitely moving forward.

I hope to continue note
at a comfortable pace and while enjoying it.
I look forward to your continued support this week as well ☺️

Thank you for reading until the end today.

I feel that last week was also a week where many things happened.

I started this series thinking I would report on receiving Congra Boards.
Before I knew it, thanks to you, I've been able to receive Congra Boards every week,
and it has become a "weekly reflection series."

The reason I've been able to keep this up so far
is thanks to all of you who read it.
Thank you so much.

Thanks to the connections on note and my relationship with all of you,
many things have come true so far.

And at the same time,
I feel that I have received so much warmth, joy, and happiness.
Before I knew it, I seem to be getting even more deeply immersed in the world of note.

I hope to continue sharing various things while enjoying it this week,

just as much as last week.
Together with Happy Ojo,

I look forward to your continued support. 🐾

🌿 Today's recommended article corner

Today, I'd like to introduce an article that will leave you unable to move for a while after reading it.
⸻

Sanagi-san's article

"That must have been hard" The day my tears wouldn't stop at those words
Being cornered at work,

not being able to say anything back,
and only being able to apologize—
Surely, this is a situation many people have experienced at least once.

Even though I'm being told the right things,

for some reason, my heart can't keep up.
Even though I understand it in my head, I can't move.
Such a "helpless moment"

is depicted very realistically.
⸻

What was impressive in this writing was—

"People can sometimes be saved more by kind words

　than by correct words."
The realization that,

just one phrase,

"That must have been hard"
can untangle a heart that has been stretched tight.

⸻

The harder people work,

the more they push themselves, thinking "I have to do it right."
But in reality,

what is needed before correctness
might be the feeling of "being understood."
⸻

For those who are feeling a bit tough right now.

And for those who want to be kind to someone.
This is an article I want you to read quietly. 🌙