Iris Fighting Day
Last week, this poster appeared outside the public bath in my neighborhood, reminding us all that Iris Fighting Day was nearly upon us. Since 1282, when intrepid samurai repelled the Mongol Hordes (no, seriously, there really were Mongol Hordes!), May 5 has been the day when fathers take time away from battling spreadsheets and conquering new markets to take a bath with their sons.
But it’s not just any old bath – iris leaves must be employed to lend a fighting spirit to the experience. The Japanese words for “contest” and “iris” sounds alike, and because iris leaves are conveniently sword-shaped, it’s a no-brainer to put the two together for manly bathtime entertainment.
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Jonelle Patrick View All
Writing mystery books set in Tokyo is mostly what I do, but I also blog about the odd stuff I see every day in Japan. I'm a graduate of Stanford University and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Tokyo, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters In Crime. When I'm not in Tokyo, I live in San Francisco. I also host a travel site called The Tokyo Guide I Wish I'd Had, so if you're headed to Japan and want to check out the places I take my friends when they're in town, take a look!
Jonelle, I love your blog so much 🙂
ありがとう！！！You totally cheered me up today with that post!