First of all, Michael from Lisbon. I read your e-mail but haven't replied yet but definitely will tomorrow. Sorry it's takinng long! Anyway, it's dead freezing here in Tokyo tonight. Very windy. 1 degree Celsius = 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit. I hear it's going to be chilly like this here in Tokyo over the weekend. Ironically, it's the last day of the winter according to the almanac. We have some traditional thingy going on today. Even though I had to work from FREAKNG 4 in the morning today, I got summoned by my parents and had to pay a little visit tonight... On this very last day of the winter, we throw roasted soybeans around the house. I am sure millions of other Japanese people here did that tonight. When throwing the beans, you are supposed to say "Ogre out! Happiness in!" to drive away evil spirits and you eat the number of beans which corresponds to your age. . I am not sure who came up with this tradition but I heard this ritual thingy started in the 13th century and we still do it after 8 centuries.... at least, I don't have to wear a traditional clothes for this particular event :) Speaking of the Ogre, when I was younger on this particular day, I remember one guy wearing a costume to be the ogre. Not much to wear. Just red speedos. He had a great bod. Very muscular That's the image of the ogre I have.. If the ogre was that hot, I'd love to keep him instead of driving him away like we've gotta. But I threw the beans to follow the tradition though... So it's going to be spring from tomorrow here in Tokyo even if it gets colder than usual... I guess I should say "Have a great last day of the winter!" Get ready! Spring will come shortly! Have a fantabulous Friday! ta-ta-
That's an interesting ritual to do... But I don't like beans, so can one skip eating the beans? Where's the muscular ogre with the red speedos when you need him? Happy springtime, Shigeki! Have a great weekend; hope you'd be skipping work this time. Pretty please? Get some rest and welcome spring anywhere but the office. :-)
I had forgotten about Setsubun no hi (is that right?)!
My friends and I used to joke at sushi restaurants and say "Uni wa soto! Fugu wa uchi!" Yes, we were goofy (I think I still am).
Sorry it is so cold there. It's supposed to get to 60F here today. YAY! But, it will be cloudy and rainy. BOO!
I think it's interesting about seasons in Japan. Here in the states we mark the equinoxes and solstices as the beginning/end of the seasons; whereas, in Japan those are the middle of the seasons. Isn't that right? Or am I confused? I loved how everything in Japan had an appropriate season and how certain things are only available at certain times. It gave me something to look forward to every season!
Have a great weekend! Get caught up on your sleep so you don't turn into a wrinkled old man like me!
*restful smooches*
Red speedos! Slurp!! :-)
I was at Furnabori this evening for dinner and it was f$%^king cold and windy! This is a rather quick change in temperature for the day and only 8 hours ago, it was freaking hot! :-) Well - Tokyo is definitely full of surprises! Anyway, I'm going to be crazy this weekend and head up to Nikko! NOW - that is going to be cold!
Have fun this weekend! I'm going to try the Sapporo Beer and will let you know whether I like it or not!
So you really saw me at Minato-Ku :-) hahahaha - this is a big ward......
for us, spring doesn't officially start until the spring equinox, which is around march 21.
however, given the weather that we've been having, one would think that spring had indeed come early here in montréal. for instance, today, it's raining very heavily and it's 3ºC. the average temperature for february 3 is -6ºC!!!!
to be honest, it's making me worry that we've had such a warm winter so far.
I would really enjoy the change of seasons much more if they involved muscular ogres in red speedos (or blue, or green....)!!!
hello shigeki,
you're complaining about wearing traditional clothing and all the ogre gets to wear is a speedo? anyway, I'm really looking forward to spring! enjoy your weekend.
You had to work from 4 in the morning???!!!! What the fuck for?! :)
Lovely thought of an ogre you put into our heads... thanks...
So Tokyo is as cold as my place now. In my mind it's always warmer there. But then I've never been to Japan.
Enjoy the weekend
What a cool tradition! I am so gonna roast some soybeans and toss them about.
Paul
Hi Mark,
It certainly is. It's really traditional but we do it without realizing it's traditional. :) Those roasted beans aren't bad at all. I don't like beans but I like these beans. :) I saw this muscular ogre when I was a college student back on campus. He was damn hot! I hope you had a great weekend and have a fantabulous weekend!
Hi EnviroBoi,
Yes, it was "Setsubun no hi" (The day before spring)
Well, we sometimes refer to the lunar calendar but we sometimes refer to the equinoxes when it comes to talking about seasons. We are complicated, I guess. :) Well, I think we are always "season" oriented. There are so many events.... some of them are annoying.... :) You have a fantabulous week!
Hi Ian,
Oh yes, he was damn hot indeedy. Unfortunately, the coldness stays until next weekend or so. But I am sure spring is on its way. :) According to the weather report, it will snow tomorrow evening? Get ready for non-fancy shoes tomorrow. :) I hope you had a great time in Nikko. But I wouldn't go Nikko when it's this cold. :)I hope you liked Sapporo beer. :) I had Yebisu today. you have a fantabulous week!
Hi Raph,
While it's officially spring here, there is an old saying that "Summer heat or cold winter doesn't go away until equinox." So it will be awhile until it gets really "spring-ish". But it is warmer than usual? Wow, the winter in Montreal must be really brutal. You stay warm and have a fantabulous week!
Hi Hanuman,
well, these muscular ogres in speedos are not all over the town unfortunately. That was only for the college stupid event. But I was so impressed. :) However, I get to see normal muscular persons at the gym. so that's good enough. :) You have a great week!
Hi Tiptup,
Unfortunately, there are some events that require me to wear traditional clothes. The third of february is not one of them. It was a college event so not all the ogres. :) I am so waiting for the spring to come. Well, it has officially but it hasn't for real... You have a fantabulous week!
Hi Freddie,
Well, IT stuff is killing me. but I love it at the same time. It was an emergency maintenance reason. It happens from time to time. Yes, it's colder than usual here in Tokyo but it doesn't get that warm in February unfortunately here in Tokyo. I just enjoy whiskey to cancel the coldness out. :) You have a wonderful week!
Hi Paul,
Roasted soybeans are so yummy even though I am not a big fan of soybeans. :) But they are lovely. :) I hope you have a great week!
I love traditions that involve men in speedos ;)