
Persimmon Day | October 26th
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Did you know there is a Persimmon Day in Japan? Itβs October 26th.
So, why this specific date?
While visiting a temple, the famous haiku poet Shiki Matsuoka ate his favorite fruit, persimmon. He thenΒ wrote his world-renowned haiku about persimmon. All this happened on October 26th, 1895.

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Later, the temple was declared a World Heritage site.
A haiku poem is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables.
Here is an example of a haiku in English, from Art of Haiku.
east(β) or(-) west(-)
the same(β-) elegance(β)
in autumn(β) winds(β)
If we translate Shiki Matsuokaβs persimmon poem, it is something like this.
ho-ru(β) temple(β)
persimmon(β-) taste(β)
here(β) comes(β) fall(β)
Itβs recommended to use seasonal words in haikus and persimmon was used to imply fall. At that time, Shiki Matsuoka was very sick from a war, but managed to visit the temple. Itβs said that this haiku was created to show his appreciation for his friendβs support. His friend had written a similar poem to help Shiki Matsuoka heal from his illness.
As a persimmon ambassador, itβs time for us to appreciate the persimmon harvest. So, October 26th is like Thanksgiving for Mirai Clinical!