From the Kumamoto International Desk of Unusual Metrics: Sandwiched between Tsuboi and Shira Rivers directly to the east of Tasaki Market lies Furu-machi, unremarkable in all respects except one. The Kumamoto branch of the Japan Meteorological Agency announced this morning the commencement of the someiyoshino-variety cherry blossom season. As scientists, this is not something they do all willy-nilly. They require a metric, and that metric has been since time immemorial based on a particular tree rooted at Furu-machi Elementary School. Should five to six buds on this tree have blossomed, the season is declared open. (The Agency doesn’t keep it under round-the-clock surveillance or anything; it’s not like they’re zealots. They simply send a couple of officials round each morning to tabulate blossomed bud number.)
Anyway, this morning, the count reached EIGHT! - and this the two officials duly reported after rushing back to headquarters, the information then being disseminated through the ranks and broadcast both to local citizenry and the nation as a whole: Cherry blossom season in Kumamoto has officially begun.
So Furu-machi’s got that going for it. Sunday should be meteorologically eponymous, but unfortunately rain is forecast Monday to Wednesday. Since the season start is official, perhaps tomorrow is the day to stake out a spot under a tree, drink a bit of sake, lie back, and count the blossomed buds. - William
