March 1, 2026: Tennoji Zoo in Osaka on a sunny Sunday afternoon

March 1, 2026: On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I visited Tennoji Zoo in Osaka. Come to think of it, I first came here about 60 years ago with my father. I took a photo at the very same spot where my father had taken a picture of me back then. The scenery has changed considerably, making me once again realize just how long sixty years truly is.

I have loved tigers — the large, beautiful, and graceful big cats — ever since I was a child. This tiger is a male named Shohei, born in January 2019. In the upcoming World Baseball Classic, great expectations are placed on Shohei Ohtani’s performance. If Ohtani hits a big one, the loudest roar might come from a tiger in Osaka.

This pair of chimpanzee statues has symbolized Tennoji Zoo for more than 80 years.