Autumn is the best season for…

It’s interesting that Cafetalk used the word ‘Autumn,’ instead of ‘Fall.’ I have no complaints about that at all but it is, as far as I am aware, British rather than American English.  It did remind me that there is a similar point in the junior high school textbooks we are currently using. Although they are supposed to be American English they do actually mention this difference. I wonder if Japanese people have become so used to hearing both that it is no longer worth stressing one over the other?

If I had to say,  I would probably pick autumn as my favorite season. The extreme temperatures of summer and winter don’t appeal to me at all so it is a toss up between spring and autumn with the latter coming up heads by a narrow margin. What is it I like about autumn I hear you say?

Well, the autumn leaves in Japan are so stunningly beautiful I am often lost for words when looking at them. In particular those trees where the leaves go bright red are something truly special. Where I used to live in Gifu there was a mountain which was covered in  trees that mostly turn yellow in autumn. However, if you walked up this mountain’s meandering path, about half-way to the top, upon turning a certain corner your eyes would be met by the most amazing sight. Growing within a huge area of yellow leaved trees there grows a single bright red tree that is always beautiful beyond belief. The contrast with its surroundings made it appear even more gorgeous. Many times I saw hikers turn that corner and stand stock-still in amazement at the sight. It was literally mind-blowing.

Of course, oden is one of the great delights of autumn too. Unfortunately, because of my strict eating regime I cannot eat most of the things in the pot. Life is seldom perfect!