toji

The countryside is always littered with specks of orange throughout the autumn and into winter. I say winter but things here are not exactly cold - the last week has barely warranted the wearing of a scarf. There have been a few days when you've been in no doubt that the wind (which could take your face off) has been coming down from the frozen north, but in general it's been pretty comfortable (people love to herald the end of the world with the odd climate but I have no such guilt).

Anyway the eenaka has, as ever, been specked with orange amidst all the death. From October the Kaki (persimmon) are most obvious, giving way to Mikan (Satsuma - great for picking off wild, road side trees to keep you going on long rides) and now Yuzu. Despite having had an experience with a warm Yuzu drink from a vending machine one cold morning I realised I had never actually seen one and so at the greengrocers the other day I decided to buy some and have the traditional Toji (Solstice) bath with them: A custom using the strong citrus scent said to keep you healthy and I would agree that there are certainly worse things you could share a bath with. Like a dog. That would be just terrible.

It's handy to stick the fruit in a bag as there are lots of pips and mess if you don't. It was pleasant - it should be recommended. Unfortunately the next morning, all out of Mikan and with no bread to be seen, I peeled another for my breakfast. I found out that the reason why Yuzu are used for seasoning and for baths or heavily concentrated in drinks is that they are more akin to lemon in the taste department. It did help me wake up. I sat up straight, tensed and rigid with half my face in a spasm, staring at the wall in disbelief that I'd been so stupid yet again.