Total Eclipse Of The Sun Today In Asia
A string of countries in Asia are experiencing a total eclipse of the sun today Wednesday. Here in Japan, the spectacular eclipse will be visible from Akusekijima Island for 6 minutes and 25 seconds from 10:53 AM, local time. It is actually the longest total solar eclipse visible from any inhabited area of the world this century, according to NHK World and other media.
The eclipse started in India, and followed a track across China and Japan. It has gotten a lot of attention as it is the first total solar eclipse in Japan in forty-six years:
Note that you should never look directly at the sun (sunglasses are not sufficient protection either).
The Mainichi has a fun collection of historical photos from the Meiji era and onwards, taken at different eclipse events over the years.
皆既日食 (kaiki nisshoku) is the Japanese term for total solar eclipse and I like how the two last kanji literally means "sun-eat" as if the moon has taken a bite of the sun. There are many legends here about how for example queen Himiko, the ruler of ancient Japan, died (or was murdered) around the time of a solar eclipse in the 3rd century.
The eclipse started in India, and followed a track across China and Japan. It has gotten a lot of attention as it is the first total solar eclipse in Japan in forty-six years:
At the moment of total eclipse, the sky is dark, except for the sun appearing as a very bright ring around the outline of the moon, providing what is known as the ‘diamond ring’. We can subsequently get dramatic views of the corona ringing the sun. The sun is the source of life on this planet. A total eclipse abruptly deprives us of its light and warmth. The sun appears dark and there is a sudden drop in temperature. It is an event which plunges the earth into darkness and makes us keenly aware of the importance of the sun.
Note that you should never look directly at the sun (sunglasses are not sufficient protection either).
The Mainichi has a fun collection of historical photos from the Meiji era and onwards, taken at different eclipse events over the years.
皆既日食 (kaiki nisshoku) is the Japanese term for total solar eclipse and I like how the two last kanji literally means "sun-eat" as if the moon has taken a bite of the sun. There are many legends here about how for example queen Himiko, the ruler of ancient Japan, died (or was murdered) around the time of a solar eclipse in the 3rd century.
Comments
Btw, really do like koto like this:
皆既日食 kaiki nisshoku
Literal old school imi. Pre-katakana etc. Reminds of a famous away on a school trip night in Nagano I think it was. A drinking game, involving (ouch) milky shochu. For the foreign guys and gals, tatoeba, if the word 'beer' came up we had to use 'biru' or forfeit. The Japanese had to use the old style word, ie fermented/brewed liquid. We could/had to use 'kohi' for that caffeine kick, they had to use whatever the old style 'sun-eat' style meaning, an amazing night that alas I don't remember all of!!
There's got to be an idea there somewhere for a book, old style Nihongo words/kanji that are alas obsolete. There is a lot to be said against progress in certain quarters, ne!
Milky shochu I have never heard of but the milky sake is called 甘酒 (amazake) which is as old as Japan - a quick search says it was first made back in the Kofun era (some 1500-1800 years ago) when the great key-hole-shape graves were made. By the by, to make amazake you need the same microorganisms for the fermentation that are also used for natto or miso ;)
Skål!