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

The first athletic meet in Japan was held during the Meiji era.

The first athletic meet in Japan was held in 1874 (Meiji 7) at the Naval Academy in Tokyo.

It originally began with the adoption of Western military drills and competitions, and eventually spread into the realm of school education.

At the time, the purpose of these events was to improve physical fitness and foster a sense of unity, and events familiar to us today—such as footraces and tug-of-war—were already being held.

It’s interesting that an event that spread alongside modernization has now become a major affair involving communities and families.

Knowing the history gives this bit of trivia a fresh appeal.

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The third Sunday of October is “Grandchildren’s Day.”

Do you know what the third Sunday of October is? It’s actually “Grandchildren’s Day.” This commemorative day was established by the Japan Department Stores Association as a day for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren.

Many grandparents choose to give gifts to their grandchildren on this day.

Why not take this opportunity to give a gift and strengthen your bond with your grandchild?

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October 27 to November 9 is ‘Reading Week’.

The phrase “autumn is for reading” has become well established in Japan, and the period that symbolizes it is Reading Week, held from October 27 to November 9.

It began in 1947, shortly after the war, and was instituted to promote knowledge and culture through books.

During this time, a variety of events are held at schools, libraries, and bookstores, offering opportunities for even those who don’t usually pick up books to become more familiar with them.

Knowing that such initiatives helped spread the custom of leisurely enjoying books on long autumn nights deepens our understanding.

A bit of trivia to make autumn reading even more enjoyable.

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Trivia about mushrooms

[Quirky Class] Mushroom trivia you can share with others

People often say, “Matsutake for aroma, shimeji for flavor.” Mushrooms are indispensable for hot pots and sukiyaki, and matsutake are so special they can headline a dish all by themselves.

Here are a few mushroom tidbits.

First, mushrooms don’t reproduce from seeds but from spores—you probably learned that in middle school.

Hyphae grow from spores, and when several come together, they form the primordium of a mushroom.

A cautionary note: Japan has more than 200 species of poisonous mushrooms.

Many poisoning cases involve people mistakenly eating tsukiyotake, which resembles shiitake.

If you plan to eat mushrooms you’ve foraged, be sure to have them identified by an expert.

The solar term that falls around October 8 is ‘Cold Dew’ (Kanro).

When October arrives, unlike September when we could still feel the heat, the number of days that feel chilly increases.

One of the 24 seasonal divisions that falls around the 8th of October is Kanro, or “Cold Dew.” Around this time, the nights grow longer, cold dew forms on plants in the early morning, and the temperature swings become more pronounced.

As the air grows ever clearer, the moon looks especially beautiful—so be sure to look up at the night sky.

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