This Week in Tokyo – 6 October 2020
Welcome to another edition of ‘This Week in Tokyo’! ‘This Week in Tokyo’ is a review of the Maction Planet week that was and a look ahead to what’s coming up in the city. Check out photos from our adventures and read insights into our explorations as we get under the skin of the World’s Greatest Metropolis, and beyond. This week’s edition is hosted by Mac, our Founder and Lead Guide. This week: Moon-viewing Godzilla; International Sake Day; Flower Art Award 2020; Guardian of seagull and Katsu Curry Countdown.
Featured image – Moon-viewing Godzilla: Autumn moon viewing, or tsukimi, has long been a popular pastime in Japan. The best night for observing the full moon each year is said to be the fifteenth night of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, known as jugoya no tsukimi. In 2020, this was 1 October. By the Edo period tsukimi had become a popular practice and was closely associated with traditions such as thanking the gods for a good harvest. The window or veranda where people gather to view the moon is known as the tsukimidai. It is traditionally decorated with such offerings as rice dumplings, called tsukimi-dango, and susuki, or pampas grass. As you can see, Godzilla has all of these… which is what I would expect given he is a fully-fledged Tokyo Tourism Ambassador.
International Sake Day: 1 October was a busy one this year due to the autumn moon, but every year that date is International Sake Day. You can find out why, and learn lots more about the evolution of sake production, in this classic post from the Maction Planet blog.
There were lots of Rugby-related puns, like this one in this photo, kicking around (pun intended) during Rugby World Cup 2019. Some have survived the last 12 months and bring me a lot of joy when I spot them around Tokyo.
Flower Art Award 2020: A visit to Tokyo Midtown has been even more aesthetically pleasing than usual this week as hosted some pieces from the Flower Art Award 2020 from 30 September – 4 October. This beautiful piece, my personal favourite, is called ‘Tsunagu’ (‘Connections’) and is by Meiko Yamada of ‘coco floral’.
Guardian of seagull: On Saturday 3 October I ventured out to Chiba to watching the Chiba Lotte Marines take on the Saitama Seibu Lions. The Marines delivered a stunning comeback to win 6-3 after being 3-0 down with two magnificent three-run home-runs. Highlight of the day was getting to wave around this towel. Why? Because it says ‘Guardian of seagull’. ‘Nuff said. Thank you to ‘Mr Marines’ (and ‘Mac on Tokyo’ interviewee) Steve Novosel for his outstanding hospitality.
For those concerned, the Marines play in the Pacific League, unlike the Tokyo Yakult Swallows who play in the Central League. And yes, that is a Swallows mask and cap I am wearing!
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