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Fun facts you’ll want to share! A roundup of October trivia and tidbits

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

October, when the air clears and the night sky grows beautiful.

This season, also known as Kannazuki, is packed with fun events like Halloween, autumn harvest outings, and sports festivals.

So, how much trivia about October do you know? The reasons October is called Kannazuki, tidbits about Halloween and the season of hearty appetites, and the various commemorative days in October—this article will introduce the deep and fascinating trivia of the month.

How about peeking into a slightly intellectual world of trivia as a companion to your long autumn nights?

You’ll want to tell someone! A roundup of October trivia and fun facts (1–10)

Origins and trivia of Halloween

[Trivia] The origins, background, and meaning of Halloween—and why it became popular in Japan...

Origins and trivia of Halloween

Halloween has now firmly taken root as an event that bridges summer and Christmas.

Denpagumi.inc’s “Eikyuu Zombiina” and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s “Crazy Party Night ~Pumpkin no Gyakushuu~” are staple Halloween songs you hear every year.

Halloween corresponds to Obon in Japan—a time to remember and honor one’s ancestors—and refers to the European-origin festival held on November 1, specifically the “All Hallows’ Eve” celebrated the night before.

While costumes and parties tend to be in the spotlight, Halloween originally began as a Western religious observance.

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Taki no namida pin ku

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Trivia related to the lunar calendar month “Kannazuki”

In the old lunar calendar, October is called “Kannazuki,” the Month of No Gods.

This comes from the idea that all the deities across Japan gather in one place, leaving the rest of the country without its gods.

The question, then, is: Where do they gather? The answer is Izumo Taisha.

Because of this, in Shimane Prefecture, where Izumo Taisha is located, October is called “Kamiarizuki,” the Month of the Gods.

As for why the deities gather, there are various theories—some say it’s for matchmaking, others for funerary matters.

There are many other legends about Kannazuki as well, so it can be fun to look them up.

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The response to “Trick or treat” is “Happy Halloween.”

When it comes to Halloween catchphrases, the classic is “Trick or treat,” and the standard reply to this is “Happy Halloween.” In Japanese, “trick or treat” is often explained as a child’s call meaning “Give me candy or I’ll play a prank,” to which adults respond with a smile, “Have a fun Halloween!” This exchange has become ingrained in the culture.

It’s like a signal for people across generations to enjoy the event together.

The act of giving and receiving candy itself symbolizes interaction—trivia that, once you know it, makes the event even more enjoyable.

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Trivia about soybeans, which are harvested in October

Soybeans enter their harvest season around October.

They’re delicious eaten as they are, but there are also many soybean-based foods that are indispensable to us Japanese, such as tofu, natto, and miso.

Many of you probably eat them regularly.

Here’s a question: Do you know since when people in Japan have been eating soybeans? The answer is the Jomon period.

It’s a bit surprising to think it goes that far back, isn’t it? Analysis of Jomon pottery has revealed that soybeans were being cultivated in Kyushu.

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October 26 became Persimmon Day thanks to Masaoka Shiki.

October 26 is designated as Persimmon Day because it originates from a haiku by the poet Masaoka Shiki, written when he visited Nara: “When I eat a persimmon, the bell tolls—Horyu-ji.” This verse is said to have been composed in the autumn of 1895 and is a celebrated poem that links the persimmon—an emblematic fruit of Japanese culture—with the scenery of the ancient capital, Nara.

In Japan, persimmons have long been a quintessential taste of autumn, rich in nutrients and so valued for their health benefits that there’s a saying: “When persimmons turn red, doctors turn pale.” Established against a backdrop where literature and food culture intersect, this commemorative day is a delightful bit of trivia you’ll want to share.

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