An over-80-year-old man named Yoji has lived in Niigata city for more than 50 years. He used to be a high school math teacher. After retiring, he now enjoys quiet and free days.
Yoji is woken up by his cat early every morning. He plays with cat a little. He boils water, makes coffee, and reads the newspaper. On his desk is a sketch he drew yesterday on his computer.
"Today, I'll decide on the colors," he says with a smile.
Yoji was always curious when he was young. He tried many things: playing the guitar, making a micromouse, tennis, golf, skiing, and even paragliding. He once played "Greensleevs etc" at a school festival. He also joined a micromouse contest with a robot he made himself. He played sports and even flew in the sky with a paraglider.
"I never got really good at any of them," he says with a laugh.
But he doesn't regret it. He believes that trying many things helped shape who he is today.
"It's not about being perfect. It's about trying. That's enough."
After retiring, Yoji started learning how to use making website. At first, he didn't even know how to post files to provider. But little by little, he learned. Then he began making puzzles.
"I want to share the fun of math in a free way."
He started making original puzzles number games, Ten knights, slide puzzles Yojic Matrix, etc. He uploads new puzzles to his website. He believe some people enjoy them.
"Thanks to your puzzles, I feel like new puzzle player."
"Great for keeping my brain active!"
These messages make Yoji happy.
He also creates digital paintings. He draws landscapes he saw on trips and colorful patterns inspired by math. His art is calm and warm.
"Painting is like math. Balance and structure are important."
He also practices calligraphy. Holding a brush helps him feel calm. He writes words like "peace," "dream," and "challenge" with care.
"When I write, I feel like I can see my heart."
He also studied English, Yoji goes to an English class. One day, he met a tourist and tried to speak English. The tourist smiled and replied. That made Yoji want to learn more.
"Hello! My name is Yoji. I'm from Niigata. I like puzzles and hot springs!"
He is the oldest in the class, but he studies hard. Younger classmates call him "Yoji-san" and enjoy talking with him.
He also started swimming. He wants to stay healthy. He can swim crawl, breaststroke and backstroke.
but he can't swim butterfly yet. Butterfly stroke is very hard.
"Doing the butterfly feels like I'm drowning," he says.
Still, he goes to the pool every week and tries his best.
"Even at 80+x, I can still improve."
Yoji loves driving. He drives a small white car carefully through sky lines of the mountains.
His favorites are Urabandai, Nasu highplace, Shiga Plateau, Utukushigahara Plateau, and Togakushi & Myoko.
"Green mountains with blue sky are beautiful. Autumn colors are also good."
He always visits hot springs during his trips. Soaking in the warm water and looking at the sky is his favorite way to relax. He also enjoys talking with local people.
One day, after English class, Yoji sat on a bench in a park. The spring wind blew cherry blossoms through the air. The moon was already in the sky.
"I tried many things when I was young, but I never became great at any of them," he said softly.
Then he smiled.
"But I had fun. That's what matters. Even now, I keep trying."
That night, he started writing a new story. The title was "Moving Forward, Even If Incomplete." The main character is an old man who can't do everything perfectly. But he keeps trying, because trying makes life shine.
"Being incomplete means there's still more to discover," he wrote.
Then he remembered tomorrow's plan.
"English class, then swimming. Maybe I'll move forward a little more with butterfly stroke."
He smiled, turned off the light, and looked up at the stars in the Niigata night sky.
By Yoji Hitomi
Keep your body flat and close to the water.
Try to stay long and straight.
Put both arms in the water at the same time.
Pull the water down and back in a big circle.
Bring your arms out of the water together and swing them forward.
Use a "dolphin kick."
Keep your legs together.
Move your legs up and down like a dolphin's tail.
Kick twice for every arm stroke: one small kick, one big kick.
Lift your head when your arms pull down.
Take a quick breath.
Put your face back in the water as your arms come forward.
Butterfly is about timing.
Arms, kick, and breathing should move smoothly together.
Think of your body moving like a wave.