Japanese Diary 38: The End of an Era

[steepholm]

Well, it's now April in Japan, which means that today is the day they will announce the name of the new era that's due to begin with the current (Heisei) Emperor's abdication in a month's time. The name has been kept under wraps, which must have been a real headache to everyone who needs to prepare for the change: e.g. by updating computer programs, printing stationery, etc. (It's not an abstruse matter: in Japan, in case you don't know, the regnal/imperial number is commonly used as a way of writing the year, rather than the Christocentric Western system.)

Anyway, word is that this time, in a break with protocol, the era name will for the first time be sponsored. McDonalds and Starbucks are both said to be interested, with ハッピーセット and スターバックスラテ among the bookies' favourites、but all eyes are on the Imperial Palace.

In totally unrelated news, it appears that, although the term "April Fools Day" is known in Japan, the practice of planting false news stories, etc., is not at all widespread. This gave me the opportunity the other day to tell my friend about the 1957 spaghetti harvest. Let's all relive it, shall we?

"BBC: Spaghetti-Harvest in Ticino" (Watch on YouTube)

Comments

[cmcmck]

Oh Lord! Fancy having to live in the era of Kentucky fried chicken or something equally gross!

That spaghetti harvest film is still a complete classic.

And for my own April Fools gag, I have a dental appointment tomorrow! :o/

[steepholm]

I hope you don't gag on that gag!

[sovay]

This gave me the opportunity the other day to tell my friend about the 1957 spaghetti harvest.

My father saw this as a child and it left a great impression.

[calimac]

I'd read the story behind the spaghetti harvest (including the difficulty they had attaching the spaghetti to the trees) long before I had a chance to see the actual report. A glorious wheeze.

[ethelmay]

"Fields of waving macaroni," a la Miss Pym Disposes.