Clever gifts (souvenirs)

It's back-to-school season. It is also the time of graduation. I always get a headache when it comes to gifts for people close to them. When thinking about large events like this, bacause paying attention to overlaps from other people, it ends up being something that is versatile, such as congratulatory money or gift certificates. I don't think it can be helped. On the other hand, when it comes to farewells and souvenirs, we can be quite flexible and have a lot of fun. One of the best souvenirs I've ever received is a book. I lived overseas in the 1990s, when the Internet was not yet widespread, and books in Japanese were difficult to obtain and the prices were several times higher than in Japan. At times like this, I was looking forward to receiving a stylish souvenir from the president of a Japanese business partner I occasionally visit. Back then, when in-flight entertainment wasn't as extensive as it is now, everyone would buy books at airport bookstores and read them on the plane. The president said he always bought a number of interesting booksfrom various categories, and he gave me the one or two that struck me as a souvenir. He simply added, ``It was interesting, so I please try to read it.'' There were no mistakes. Most of them are still on my bookshelf and I touch on them and read them from time to time. While remembering myself at that time. There are few souvenirs that are so cherished.