On Friday the 23rd of September, Japan celebrates Autumnal Equinox Day (shuubun no hi) to recognize the meteorological change in seasons.  On this day, based on the astronomically determined tilt of the earth, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west making day and night exactly equal in length.

Along with traditional spiritual significance, the Autumnal Equinox brings anticipation for the coming of koyo, the autumn leaf viewing season.

While days have remained warm, the cooler nights remind me of the advance of autumn, my favorite season.  Aging has intensified the weather’s profound physiological and psychological effects on my moods and movements. I change with the temperature, the moisture, the wind … as they change, so do I. My morning walks with Toma remind me of that.

So looking forward to Japan’s magical fall season.  The kaleidoscopic pageant that the leaves put on is sensational.