秋の風物詩（aki no fubutsushi) 5 --- Special Attractions of Autumn

紅葉狩り（もみじがり、momiji-gari）　　Maple-viewing



On the contrary of cherry-blossom flont, Autum-leave flont moves southward from early October to early December in Japan. People realize the transit of season and enjoy the beautiful color of trees in mountains, temples, shrines and so on.

秋の風物詩（aki no fubutsushi) 4 --- Special Attractions of Autumn

秋祭り（あきまつり、　akimatsuri）   Autumn Festival


Autumn festivals are thought to have begun with prayers for bumper crops. Local people especially young ones parade in the town pulling a large floats (called Danjiri) made of wood that weighs three to four tons.

秋の風物詩（aki no fubutsushi) 3 --- Special Attractionｓ of Autumn

---- 運動会（うんどうかい、 undookai)---- Athletic Meet


Athletic meets are held at schools every autumn since it is the best season for sports.

Athletic events are relay race, a tug of war, obstacle race, race for the bun, race carrｙing a balloon on a racket, ball-toss game, mock cavalry battle and so on.

秋の風物詩（aki no fubutsushi) 2 --- Special Attractionｓ of Autumn

---- 月見（つきみ、 tsukimi)-----

Tsukimi is “Moon Viewing,” This is done in autumn on the night of the full moon. Offerings of Japanese pampas grass, rice dumplings, seasonal fruits and vegetables are made to the moon, and the full moon is appreciated. The full moon floating in the clear autumn sky appears especially beautiful.

秋の風物詩（aki no fubutsushi) 1 --- Special Attractions of Autumn

----敬老の日（けいろう　の　ひ、keiroo no hi)----

The third Monday of September is keiro-no-hi, or Respect-for-the-Aged Day. It is a day to honor the aged, celebrate their long life, pray for their good health in the future. People give a gift to their parents or grandparents, and there are also many events such as variety shows organized by local governments or respect-for-age associations.

The number of centenarians in Japan--- 47,756 (Sep.13, 2011), 51,376 (Sep.15,2012)
The lifespan for women---85.90 years, for men---79.44 years (2011)

夏の風物詩（natsu no fubutsushi) 3 --- Special Attractions of Summer

----暑中見舞い（しょちゅう　みまい、shochu mimai ）、
残暑見舞い（ざんしょ　みまい、zansho mimai )----

Japanese used to exchange cards in summer. “Shochu mimai” which means  'I hope you keep your health in this scurching heat'.is written until “Rsshu”(the first day of autumn according to the lunar calendar, Aug. 8 in 2012), and “Zansho mimai” which means, ' I hope you keep your health in this lingering summer heat.' after “Risshu” until “Shosho”( one of the 24 divisions of the four seasons, around August 23)

夏の風物詩（natsu no fubutsushi) 2 --- Special Attractionｓ of Summer

----盆踊り（ぼんおどり、bon odori)----

Bon-odori is a festive folk dance held in the evenings during summer or bon season (Aug.13-15).

The stage is set in an open space in a local community, and ゆかた（yukata）-clad men and women dance in a circle until late at night.

The original purpose was to welcome and console departed souls.