Readers’ Corner: A Lucky Day
Correction: On Tuesday, I made a mistake. I said that the shortest day of the year was Sunday, December 21. A reader pointed out that it was Monday, December 22. I cycled to Satte-juku on the old Nikko Road where many travelers stayed during the Edo period. I was lucky with the weather because there was no wind. While sightseeing there, I saw a pretty sign with a picture of ginkgo nuts hanging on the wall of a shrine. It said you can take as many nuts as you want. I entered the grounds and found a pile of ginkgo nuts under a large ginkgo tree. Next to the pile were a small shovel and some plastic bags for visitors to take some home. I felt lucky because I was able to take home a handful of nuts. Now I have to remove the bad-smelling fruit around the nuts and roast them so that I can eat them. You may think I am not lucky, but I am. The preparation activates my