Much of Japanese culture revolves around the distinct seasons, and it is heavily influenced by Shinto beliefs, which emphasise harmony with, and an appreciation of nature. I love the peacefulness of Shinto shrines, which are made of wood and are usually near a sacred tree and flowing water.

The traditional Japanese sport, sumo, was originally performed to entertain the Shinto gods over 2,000 years ago and Shinto rituals are firmly embedded in this sport today. When my brother and his mate came to visit us in Tokyo, we went to watch a sumo wrestling championship at the kokugikan (sumo stadium) in Tokyo. The bi-lingual information booklet explained that the canopy above the wrestling ring is made in the style of the roof of a Shinto shrine (see the photo below, my brother Graham’s, not mine). The four tassels on each corner of the canopy represent the four seasons, the white one as autumn, black as winter, green as spring and red as summer. The purple bunting around the roof symbolizes the drifting of the clouds and the rotation of the seasons – beautiful.

Sumo in Tokyo

As spring approaches in Japan, you can’t help but get caught up in the nationwide excitement about the imminent cherry-blossom (sakura) viewing festivals.  News presenters give animated reports about the progressive blooming as the country becomes awash with pink starting from the sub-tropical climes of the southern island and finishing in the cooler climes of the north. Now it is autumn, and the changing of the leaves is as eagerly monitored only this time from north to south. Right now, at the beginning of November, the leaves are just about changing in the Tokyo area….Mika Bishop